Millions of Volunteers to Participate in Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup(TM) 2010

-- From March 1 through May 31, Thousands of Communities will Declare "Green Starts Here" --

STAMFORD, Conn., March 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Looking to make your community a cleaner, greener, more livable place? National nonprofit Keep America Beautiful (KAB) encourages you to get involved in its 2010 Great American Cleanup™ campaign.  Throughout the months of March, April and May, an anticipated 1,200 KAB affiliates and participating organizations nationwide will rally an estimated 3 million volunteers to hold litter and debris cleanups on public lands and waterways, host recycling drives, spruce up community amenities like parks and playgrounds, remove graffiti, plant trees and community gardens, and host many more activities designed to improve the living environments that we all call "home."

The 2010 theme, "Green Starts Here," is a rallying call that encourages volunteer groups, community leaders, and people of all ages and walks of life to begin creating more sustainable communities through their efforts as volunteers, and through their daily choices and actions. It also reflects Keep America Beautiful's long legacy of community improvement activities.

"Community greening began with the beautification movement of the 1950s and 60s, and even then, Keep America Beautiful was leading the charge," said Matthew McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful.  "Today, we realize that these efforts don't just create beautiful places, they create a healthier environment, build stronger communities, inspire sustainable behaviors, motivate people to volunteer service, and improve quality of life. The Great American Cleanup captures the energy and enthusiasm of today's powerful and growing green movement."

Organizers hope that each participating organization will proudly declare "Green Starts Here," in their own towns and cities, through their own residents, and with their own volunteer opportunities that address the unique needs of the local community.

In 2009, more than 3 million volunteers in 32,000 communities took part in the Great American Cleanup, collecting 64 million pounds of litter and debris, much of which was recycled. More than 243 million plastic bottles and 6.9 million pounds of electronics were collected, volunteers kept 14.5 million pounds of aluminum and steel out of landfills, and 36 million pounds of newspaper were collected for recycling as well.  Volunteers also greened-up their communities by creating or improving 6,400 gardens, xeriscapes and green spaces. A full list of 2009 results can be found online at kab.org/GAC_2009Results.

How can you get involved? Visit kab.org for a list of participating organizations. If there's not an event near you, you can organize your own following guidelines and tips provided on the Web site.

America's leading companies and brands support the campaign.  The National Sponsors of the 2010 Great American Cleanup are: The Dow Chemical Company; The Glad Products Company; Nestle® Pure Life® Purified Water; o.b. ® tampons; Pepsi-Cola Company; The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company; Solo Cup Company; Troy-Bilt® Lawn and Garden Equipment; Waste Management, Inc.; Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.; Promotional Partners: Crescent Art and Framing Products and Get Green Racing; and Educational Partner: Rubber Manufacturers Association.

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. This national nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. Its signature program, the Great American Cleanup is one of many initiatives that encourage people to care for communities through volunteer participation. To join the Great American Cleanup and let green start with you, visit www.kab.org.

SOURCE Keep America Beautiful, Inc.