A Pennsylvania Litter Summit held in Harrisburg in late 2019 determined approximately 502.5 million pieces of litter are on commonwealth roadways, and increased awareness and education are key to moving toward a resolution to the problem.

In an effort to increase awareness, the Pennsylvania Resources Council continues to encourage participation in its annual Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter photo contest.

Amateur students through 12th grade and adults are asked to submit photos of unsightly litter in their Pennsylvania communities by the Oct. 31 deadline. Photos should demonstrate how litter threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment, pets or wildlife.

Entries will be judged on six criteria: anti-litter message, originality, photographic technique, quality of photo, originality of title and severity of the litter.

Contestants are also encouraged to safely initiate a cleanup of the subject area and provide a photo of the results of your efforts for additional judging points.

First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded in each category with the first-place winner receiving $500, second-place $250 and third-place $100.

Entries (limit five per person) no smaller than 4-inch by 6-inch and no larger than 8-inch by 10-inch should be sent to PRC Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Contest, 1671 N. Providence Road, Media, PA 19063.

High resolution digital submissions may be sent to lensonlitter@prc.org.

All entries (including digital) must include the entrant’s name, address, telephone number, email address, title given to photo, location of litter site and how you learned about the contest.

Students should also include age, grade and name of school.

Photos submitted without all the above will not be judged.

All photos may be used by PRC at its discretion.

Questions may be directed to lensonlitter@prc.org and additional information, previous winners and an online entry form can be found at prc.org/lens-litter.

Individuals, groups or organizations interested in helping sponsor this program may go to lensonlitter@prc.org or refer to the sponsor tab at prc.org/lens-litter.