McKean County Recycling Program - Littering & Dumping

PA CleanWays of McKean County

The County of McKean government supports and has partnered with the McKean County Chapter of PA CleanWays to fight littering and illiegal dumping.  In addition, in 2007, McKean County Chapter of PA CleanWays, the McKean County Recycling Program and the McKean County Conservation District partnered with the DEP generated COALS Program (Clean up Our American Lands and Streams Program) to resurvey all illegal dumps in the county and develop a multifaceted approach of clean up, increased the opportunities for recycling/waste management and beautification by partnering with municipalities, local enforcement, educational systems as well as increased surveillance and enforcement of illegal dumping.

About PA CleanWays

In 1989, PA CleanWays was formed in Westmoreland County by a concerned group of citizens who sought to clean up their local community. PA CleanWays has since become an active nonprofit organization that works to eliminate illegal dumping and littering, while promoting proper trash disposal and recycling. Since 1989, PA CleanWays has grown to 23 counties helping people and their communities clean up mountains of trash from Pennsylvania’s land and water resources. McKean County has had its own active Chapter since 2000. In 6 years we have cleaned up over 130 tons of trash and properly disposed of 20,700 tires, adopted out 9 roads, and given public educational presentations at various meetings and events all with the help of 576 volunteers.

 What's the Problem Anyway?   (click here)

Report Illegal Dumping!  Pennsylvania has had illegal dumping and anit-littering laws in place for quite some time.  If you witness somone littering or illegal dumping do not approach or confront the person!  Instead get details and descriptions and turn them over to your local police.

Other options:

PA State Police will respond if the problem is:

• Not covered by local police
• On public land
• On private land not covered by local police jurisdiction

PA Depatment of Environmental Protection will respond to illegal dumping in matters concerning dumping by commercial businesses such as improper disposal of construction/demolition debris, chemicals, hazardous waste polluting etc.

PA Fish and Boat Commission will respond if trash lies in or near surface water.

PA Game Commission will respond when illegal dumping occurs on State game lands and private land open to hunting.

PA Bureau of Forestry and PA Bureau of State Parks will respond when illegal dumping impacts State Forest and State Parks.

Do you know of an illegal dump site? Report it here to the McKean County Chapter of PA CleanWays: Email here

Other ways you can help:

Adopt a Township Road or Area:

PA CleanWays Road Adoption offers citizens resources to help keep local roads in Pennsylvania clean and scenic.  Adopt-A-Highway supports adoption of state maintained roads while McKean PA Cleanways works to adopt roads maintained by Townships.  To adopt a road, the road must be at least one mile long and maintained for at least two years.  Contact Heather McKean, Executive Director, CleanWays, McKean County Chapter at (814)887-4003 or email to: EMAIL HERE

Join PA CleanWays McKean County Chapter:  (click here)

Make yourself part of the effort to maintain the natural beauty of McKean County - join the McKean County Chapter of PA Cleanways!  To volunteer call: