We need your help removing litter and debris from the Delaware River shoreline!
On Tuesday, August 23rd, PWD will partner with United by Blue, Riverfront North Partnership, and the Academy of Natural Sciences for a cleanup at the Frankford Boat Launch, located at 5501 Tacony Street, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. (Note: This event was postponed from Thursday, July 21.)
The massive waterway spruce-up is all part of the Plastic-free Philly campaign, a recently-launched initiative to raise awareness about one of the easiest ways we can all cut down on plastic waste and reduce plastic pollution —drinking tap instead of buying single-use plastic bottles.
Through July 30, check out Plastic-free Philly-inspired artworks temporarily installed in 10 buildings throughout the city.
View a downloadable map, watch artists videos, and learn more about the campaign →
Along with BOMA Philly, we are taking part in this effort to highlight the value of clean public drinking water as a supporter and partner of the Academy of Natural Science, which has made 2022 their Water Year.
The project is also a natural extension of Drink Philly Tap, a coalition of passionate organizations we brought together to advocate for increased access to high quality tap water in Philadelphia. The project kicked off in 2019 in response to a University of Penn study that consistently found that 40 percent of city residents drink bottled water at home instead of tap, which doesn’t create plastic pollutionand costs less than penny per gallon, hundreds of times cheaper than than the tap water most people buy in plastic bottles at the grocery store.
Plastic-free Philly hopes to build on this momentum by inspiring 3,000 residents to take the Drink Philly Tap pledge: help save the environment from plastic waste and drink water from the faucet.
Through the campaign, the Academy of Natural Sciences, United by Blue and Tacoony/Tacony Frankford Watershed Partners (TTF) have a goal to remove 50,000 pounds of trash from the river. Cleanups like this one help keep single-use plastic bottles and other litter out of our sewers and waterways where trash can harm wildlife and infrastructure.
United By Blue will adhere to all local regulations pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. This event is fully outdoors and efforts will be made to keep volunteer groups spread out.
Want to be part of the effort to reduce the plastic waste in Philly?
Sign up now!
Continue waterway stewardship with other cleanups
Weekly Wednesday Clean Up: Tacony Creek Park
- Where: Tacony Creek Park Gateway, Whitaker Ave & E. Loudon Street 19120
- When: Every Wednesday this summer, starting July 20th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Details: All tools and supplies will be provided, including work gloves, snacks, and water. Restrooms not available. Please bring a reusable water bottle if you have one. TTF will provide a free reusable water bottle to volunteers. TTF will follow Philadelphia COVID-19 guidelines and will provide masks. Pre-registration is required and each event is limited to 25 volunteers.
Learn More →
Love Your Park in Cobbs Creek
Established to 'clean, green, and celebrate our public green spaces,' Love Your Park, a coalition formed by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, and Park Friends Network, is hosting a lineup of cleanups this summer around Cobbs Creek Park
- Where:
- Cobbs Creek Park: Woodland Ave & Cobbs Creek Parkway
- Cobbs Creek Park: Mt. Moriah Cemetery
- When: Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer.
See specific times and more information →
Friends of the Wissahickon – Stewards Events
- Where: Wissahickon Creek
- When: Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays throughout the summer. See specific dates and times →
- Details: These frequent events offer plenty of opportunities to beautify creek, including removal of trash, invasive plants, and graffiti. No experience is needed. Gloves, tools, and instructions are provided. Detailed information and the specific meeting location will be sent by email the day before the event.
Stewardship Saturdays at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge At Tinicum
- Where: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge At Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd.
- When: Second Saturdays throughout the summer from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Details: This is a hands-on opportunity to beautify the refuge by working with experienced “Weed Warriors” who will teach participants about removing invasive plants and adding native vegetation to improve plant diversity and food sources for wildlife.
Learn more →
Riverfront North Parternship Volunteer Events
- Where: Pennypack on the Delaware, 7801 State Rd.
- When: July 16th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and August 20th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Details: Participaints can assist with shoreline cleanup, invasie plant removal, trail maintenance, and more.
Learn more!
Want to plan a community cleanup?
If you're looking to host a cleanup in your neighborhood, you can initiate an event through the City's Community Partnership Program (CPP), which loans equipment/supplies and coordinates bagged trash pick-up after a cleanup event.
Learn More!
Already have a cleanup planned?
Send your spring community cleanup events to waterinfo@phila.gov, and we'll consider adding them to our running list!
