PRC hosting Lens on Litter Photo Contest

Among the key findings from a Pennsylvania Litter Research Study conducted in 2020, more than 90% of respondents believe that litter is a problem in Pennsylvania, and that litter negatively impacts communities. They also suggest that the most littered items are fast food wrappers, plastic bags, beverage containers and tobacco products, and that increased awareness of the effects of littering is necessary. In addition, according to PennDOT the decomposition times for some commonly littered items are as follows:

Glass bottles, approx. one million years; aluminum cans, 200-500 years; plastic jugs, 70 years;; plastic bags, 10-20 years; disposable diapers, 1020 years; and cigarette butts, 1-5 years.

Do your part to increase awareness by participating in the Pennsylvania Resources Council’s Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest. Use your camera or mobile device to identify the worst or most unusual examples of litter in your Pennsylvania community. The contest is open to amateur photographers only and entries should help bring awareness to how litter threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment or wildlife. Entries are judged on six criteria: anti-litter message, originality, photographic technique, quality of photo, originality of title and severity of the litter. Contestants are separated into two groups—Students (through Grade 12) and Adults. Six prizes, three to each group, will be awarded with the firstplace winner receiving $500, second-place $250 and third-place $100. Entrants are encouraged to initiate a cleanup of the subject area and provide a photo of the results of their efforts for additional judging points. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2022.

Entries (limit five per person, no smaller than 4x6 and no bigger than 8x10) should be sent to PRC Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Contest, 1671 North Providence Road, Media, PA 19063. High resolution digital submissions may be sent to lensonlitter@ prc.org. All entries (including digital) should include entrant’s name, address, email address, phone number, title given to photo, location of litter site and how you learned of the contest. Students must also include age, grade and name of school. Photos submitted without all the above will be disqualified. Photos will not be returned and may be used by PRC at their discretion.

Questions may be directed to lensonlitter@prc.org and additional information, sponsors, an online entry form as well as previous winners, can be found at https://prc. org/programs/projects/ lens-litter/ . Individuals, groups, businesses or organizations with an interest in litter prevention that would like to help sponsor this relevant program, please contact us at lensonlitter@prc.org or follow the instructions included below. Current sponsors-to-date include The Capaldi Family (Anti-Litter Champion) and Sheetz (Anti-Litter Advocate).

Lens on Litter sponsorship available as Anti-Litter Champion — $1,000, Anti-Litter Advocate — $500, AntiLitter Supporter— $250 or Anti-Litterbug -- $100