The Atlantic County Clean Communities Program, administered by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, has announced the winners of its Fall Litter Challenge.
Kristine Parker’s Girl Scouts are the first-place winners, Our Lady Star of the Sea School took second place and Absecon Community Affairs was the third-place finisher.
The contest challenged teams to pick up as much litter as possible over a two-week period Oct. 1-14. In total, 60 bags of trash and 41 bags of recycling were collected. The first, second and third place winners will receive $500, $300 and $100 mini-grants, respectively, for their efforts.
“Litter is hazardous to the well-being of Atlantic County residents, visitors, and wildlife.” Atlantic County Clean Communities Coordinator Rebecca Turygan said. “The Fall Litter Challenge had great participation this year – 57 volunteers participated in cleanups. We want to thank everyone for making a difference.”
In addition to the regular trash and recycling that was removed, the teams also reported finding a thermostat, a bowling pin, and four full bottles of body wash. A $100 prize was given to the team who found the strangest litter find. The Ford Beautification Project was awarded the prize for discovering a urine test cup.
Since ACUA began administering the program in 2005, 60 percent of Atlantic County roadways have been adopted. In 2022 alone, 291 cleanups were held, 1,549 bags of litter and recycling were removed from local roadways, and 376 miles were cleaned.
For more information on the Atlantic County Clean Communities Program, see http://acua.com/adoptaroad/.
