Pittsburgh Garbage Olympics picks up volunteers, 1,129 bags of trash

The Pittsburgh Garbage Olympics exceeded expectations over the weekend, with more volunteers picking up more trash than ever, according to a city official.

“We believed this was going to be the year the Garbage Olympics got smaller because of covid-19,” said Christopher B. Mitchell, Anti Litter Specialist with Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works.

The citywide event kicked off in 2017, pitting neighborhoods against each other in a playful way to see which team can pick up the most trash.

This year, Carrick’s team of volunteers won. The team of 45 volunteers collected 91 bags of trash, 62 tires, 86 TVs, one couch, one bike, 2 satellite dishes, 2 lawnmowers, 3 shopping carts and two freezers. Runners up included the Allentown and Elliott neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.

Penn Hills won the event’s award for most spirited team. It was the municipality’s second year winning the honor.

Faith Milazzo, founder of Penn Hills Anti-Litter Group, said she was excited to capture that honor once again.

“This year we had a choreographed routine and song,” she said. “Even though we probably need singing and dancing lessons, we had a great time putting together that silly video. It shows you can have fun with litter and the great camaraderie group members have.”

East Liberty’s volunteers picked up the strangest piece of trash: a stuffed unicorn.

Four additional neighborhoods and 170 more volunteers than last year participated in the fourth-annual citywide litter pick-up event, which took place Sept. 26.

Mitchell attributed this year’s success to the department’s efforts to get people involved in cleaning up their neighborhoods. He also thinks the event is getting some brand recognition after being around since 2017.

“We’re getting better every year,” he said.

Here are the 2020 Garbage Olympics numbers:

• 724 volunteers

• 1,129 bags of garbage

• 670 tires

• 254 TVs

• Five mattresses

• Six couches

• 12 shopping carts

• Five refrigerators

• Four lawnmowers

• Two satellite dishes

• One jukebox

Historically, the event finishes with a celebration at Threadbare Cider House in Spring Hill to announce the winners. Mitchell said covid-19 restrictions prevented the volunteers from doing that this year. Instead, officials stitched together a video with this year’s recap and Mayor Bill Peduto announcing the winners.

Clean-up days can be organized through the city of Pittsburgh by filling out a form online or by calling 311.

To sign up for next year’s Garbage Olympics or for more information, email garbageolympicspgh@gmail.com or call or text 412-206-9482.