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Case Studies
The following is a table of four case studies we conducted this year. We looked for programs that encouraged prevention and monitoring of illegal dumping. Most contain elements of education, especially targeting youth. Others use community groups to keep dumpsites clean, while some use collection programs of problematic items to keep dumping to a minimum.
PA Clean Ways

PA Clean Ways is a non-profit organization founded in June of 1990 by “one woman’s commitment to cleaning an illegal dump near her home.” Today, 124 individuals, groups, and businesses are partnered with 22 PA CleanWays chapters across the state of Pennsylvania. They produce a series of educational materials, including children’s literature, videos and games. PA Clean Ways also manages adoption programs of areas, including roads, greenways, trails, waterways and neighborhood blocks throughout the state. Various recycling and collection programs are also run by the organization.


For more information, see their website

Michigan Coalition for Clean Forests

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources began an Adopt-A-Forest pilot program in1989. Since then, they emphasize the need for alternative disposal/reuse options, illegal dumping education, more enforcement of fines, formation of partnerships with organizations statewide, and incentives for volunteers and partners. They run the Adopt-A-Forest program, which allows volunteers to become responsible for the physical cleanup of an area. A group called The Trash Team keeps track of activities statewide and makes executive decisions about the program. They also maintain a website with a database of known dumpsites throughout the state.

For more information see their website

Gloucester County Clean Communities Program

The New Jersey Clean Communities Program was created in 1987 by the New Jersey legislature through the Clean Communities Act. Gloucester County’s program is one of several in the state. The program’s litter pick-up program consists of four separate components: one day group clean-ups, the Adopt-A-Road program, the Adopt-A-Stream Crossing program, and the Adopt-A-Spot program. They also present to schools on the issue of illegal dumping, and encourage enforcement of laws through signs.

For more information see their website

Central Vermont Adopt-A-Site Program

The Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District started the Adopt-A-Site program in the spring of 1997. Volunteers are assigned a site, which they promise to keep clean for a year. Several different components make up an adoption, including cleanup, beautification, and maintenance. They rely heavily on donations from local businesses and volunteer hours to maintain the program.

For more information, see their website

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