Garbage Olympics
June 7th, 2025
About
We are excited to bring to you Scranton's second annual Garbage Olympics as part of City Pride's week-long event! Scranton City Pride is a project of Scranton Tomorrow, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, and United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern PA. Join us in celebrating our pride for Scranton by registering a team for the Garbage Olympics!
Participation locations for the Garbage Olympics this year will be in Pine Brook and West Scranton. It is a 2-hour competition between local groups to clean participating locations. To join in on the fun, register your team in either location.
The teams with the most trash collected, strangest item found, and most team spirit will all be awarded prizes. Be sure to bring your A-Game and go all out to win a shot at a team prize!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register a team?
To register a team, click on the Pine Brook or West Scranton Tabs and complete the form.
How old do volunteers have to be?
All volunteers must be 14 or older. If you would like to register anyone younger, please reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Alyssa Espinoza at aespinoza@nwnepa.org.
Can I still participate if I don't live in Pine Brook or West Scranton?
Yes! All interested volunteer are welcome to participate! While groups within the specific target areas are encouraged to participate in their perspective areas. Groups outside West Scranton and Pine Brook can choose which area they would prefer to volunteer in.
Can I participate as an individual?
Yes! There will be spots open for individuals to join existing teams.
How large does my group need to be in order to particpate?
There is no maximum/minimum group requirements for this event. We encourage groups of all types and sizes to join!
How does my team enter into the contest for the prizes?
Instructions for prizes by category:
Most Team Sprit: Take a picture of your team showing their team spirit and email it to Holly Yorkonis hyorkonis@uncnepa.org for Pine Brook or Miranda Pace mpace@nwnepa.org for West Scranton. Make the subject of the email, " Team Name + Most Team Spirt."
Strangest Item Found: Take a picture of the item your team found and email it to Holly Yorkonis hyorkonis@uncnepa.org for Pine Brook or Miranda Pace mpace@nwnepa.org for West Scranton. Make the subject of the email, " Team Name + Strangest Item Found."
Most Trash Collected: Take one picture of all bags of trash and email it to Holly Yorkonis hyorkonis@uncnepa.org for Pine Brook or Miranda Pace mpace@nwnepa.org for West Scranton. Make the subject of the email, " Team Name + Most Trash."
What do I do with the collected trash?
Each group will be given a map of their “garbage route” with designated intersections for placing full trash bags.
What is considered a "full" trash bag?
A "full" bag of trash is actually one that is filled about half way! Anything more will become too heavy to carry and will have a higher risk of tearing. Be mindful to not over fill your bags!
What should we wear?
Dress comfortably in clothes you're okay with getting dirty. Be sure to wear sneakers or boots to protect your feet. If your group has a shirt that all members have, please coordinate wearing them. If your group does not, consider coordinating a specific color shirt to wear on the day of the event to easily differentiate groups.
What should I bring on the day of the event?
Water, snacks, and lots of positive energy! Other than that, the organization you are planning with will provide the necessary tools for the clean up including vests, grabbers, glove and trash bags.
