Mayor announces results of 2013 Philly Spring Cleanup

Residents of the 6500 block of Windsor Street collected over 30 bags of trash and eight tires. (Credit: Tracey Gordon)

Mayor Michael Nutter and the Philadelphia Streets Department on Wednesday announced results of last Saturday’s 6th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup.

A total of 13,198 volunteers participated in 565 cleaning and greening projects across the city, shattering last year’s record of 348 projects.

“For the sixth year in a row, Philadelphians have stepped up to the plate and volunteered in the Philly Spring Cleanup,” Mayor Michael Nutter said in a statement.

“I am truly impressed with the passion and dedication throughout the city to make Philadelphia a cleaner, greener and safer place. Each year we hope to expand the cleanup, and I am proud to say that we did that this year with a record number of sites.”

Volunteers removed over a million pounds of trash and 23,000 pounds of recyclables. This year’s theme was “Keep Up to Sweep Up” in an attempt to encourage year-round cleaning efforts.

“I would like to thank all the block captains, neighbors, local businesses and community organizations who volunteered their time and efforts in this day of service and to making the 6th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup the best cleanup ever,” Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson said.

“The Philly Spring Cleanup begins the momentum for beautifying our neighborhoods all year long and to ‘Keep Up the Sweep Up’ to maintain a cleaner and brighter Philadelphia.”

By the numbers

13,198 residents and volunteers at 565 project sites – including 17 parks and recreation centers – and completed 65,990 service hours, collecting:

1,014,540 pounds of trash

23,341 pounds of recyclable material

4,030 tires

The city distributed:

37,000 trash and recycling bags

15,616 gloves

6,834 recycling bins

6,417 brooms

3,409 rakes

3,011 shovels

1,010 gallons of paint