Celebrate Earth Day in central Pa. with events to clean up, educate and plant

Some people plant trees and shrubs on Earth Day. Others pick up trash to make the area look better.

There are a number of events in central Pa. designed to celebrate Earth Day on Thursday, April 22.

Residents can join Let’s Pick It Up PA through April 30. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association are joining forces to provide free or reduced cost to dispose of trash collected from litter cleanups, illegal dump cleanups, beautification projects and special collections.

To host a pickup event, or check about free trash bags and gloves or trash disposal, visit gacofpa.org or contact Michelle Dunn at 877-772-3673 ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

Recycle auto-related items

Chuck’s Auto Salvage, 1150 Greenwood Road in West Manchester Township, is helping the recreation department and area residents.

The business is collecting auto-related recyclables such as waste oil, antifreeze, automotive lead batteries and tires (limit four) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 24. There is no charge to drop off any of the materials.

In the past, this event has brought in more than 1,359 gallons of waste oil and 1,397 tires along with other fluids and scrap metal.

Chuck’s is sweetening the event by donating $20 to the West Manchester Township Parks and Recreation Department for every lead battery collected on Saturday. The department will use the money to hold a pizza party for the children participating in the summer playground program.

Cleanup and planting

Volunteers will be planting trees and shrubs and cleaning up trash and debris from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Long’s Park in Lancaster County.

People should bring a shovel, gloves, water and snacks. Face masks are required. Volunteers are encouraged to wear long sleeves and long pants and to wear closed-toed shoes.

For more information, contact lmartin@allianceforthebay.org or 717-475-3964.

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Codorus Creek cleanup

Volunteers will be cleaning up the banks from College Avenue to the train trestle just north of Philadelphia Street in York from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24.

People should meet at Foundry Plaza/Codorus Boat Basin and wear closed-toe shoes with good ankle support. Bring your own water bottle.

Food will be provided to volunteers at the end of the cleanup at the boat basin.

Virtual Earth Day

First Lady Frances Wolf will host the Governor’s Residence Earth Day celebration starting at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Representatives from several state agencies will participate in the virtual celebration called Protecting the Environment for All Pennsylvanians.

The event will provide learning activities and information geared toward middle and high school students. Go to the Governor’s Residence website for more information.

Cleaning up Lebanon

The City of Lebanon, Lebanon Valley Conservancy and Strickler Insurance are holding a day-long cleaning event around Lebanon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.

A group will leave from Strickler Insurance ( 161 N. 8th St.) at the top of each hour and hit different parts of town. Some supplies like gloves and trash bags will be provided, but volunteers can also bring their own materials.

For more information, contact kiya@stricklerinsurance.com.

Celebrating in Franklin County

The Earth Celebration Main Event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Red Run Park in Waynesboro.

Free seedlings will be handed out for you to plant at home.

Organizations will be collecting used eye glasses, cell phones, prescription drugs. People can bring up to 15 boxes of paper to be shredded from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Children can create a seed bomb (ages 8-12) from 1 to 2 p.m. and the Goodwill truck will accept donations at 2:30 p.m.

There will also be hikes, tree planting, crafts, music, auction and raffle. For more information, email info@NatureAndCultureInstitute.org.

Shelly Stallsmith is a trends reporter for the York Daily Record. She can be reached at mstallsmith@ydr.com or followed on Twitter at @ShelStallsmith.