Anyone living, working, or visiting Harrisburg knows we have
a big problem with trash. Trash cans are
often overflowing and many folks think nothing of tossing their cigarette butts
and food wrappers on the ground. Not
only is this unsightly and gross, it also pollutes our water. When it rains, everything on the ground, from
animal waste to motor oil to discarded plastic bags, gets washed into our storm
sewers, or even directly into streams and rivers. Once in the storm sewer, the polluted runoff
and trash is discharged into our waterways. Trash in our lakes and rivers often leads to mortality in fish and birds
when they ingest or become entangled in it, and can increase bacteria levels in
waterways, posing a threat to human health.
In order to address Harrisburg’s trash problem, 2Minute
Tuesday was started in 2011. It’s a
unique initiative and a call to action that encourages City of Harrisburg
residents and businesses to take two minutes every Tuesday to pick up litter,
sweep the sidewalk, and clean up the front of their homes and businesses. It’s a simple idea that can make Harrisburg a
better place to live and work, and it’ll keep the trash out of our creeks and
rivers.
We’ve started doing our part
every Tuesday. Won’t you join us?
Jennifer Quinn is central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg. She tweets @QuinnJen1 (and tidies up in front of PennFuture's Harrisburg office on Tuesdays!).
