Information Density: Keep America Beautiful – Signal Evidence & AI Readability

[H2] Keep America Beautiful2026 National Litter Study is here!

Learn More

[H3] Greatest American Cleanup Countdown

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[H1] Take the Greatest American Cleanup Challenge
Text LITTER to 475-500-8569 to get encouraging reminders to pick up litter in your community. Every piece counts. Help us reach 25 million pieces by July 4.
Let’s Do Beautiful Things
Get Started

By texting LITTER to 475-500-8569 you agree to receive automated promotional and customer support text messages from Keep America Beautiful. Msg. frequency varies. Msg. and data rates may apply. You can opt-out anytime. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help.  View Privacy & Terms.

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[H2] News & Events

[IMG: Counting 35 Billion Pieces of Litter: Digging into the Keep America Beautiful 2026 National Litter Study]

[H2]
Counting 35 Billion Pieces of Litter: Digging into the Keep America Beautiful 2026 National Litter Study
May 15, 2026Behind the stats: a revealing look at what’s working—and where urgent action is still needed.
read more

[IMG: New Study Shows Litter Declining Across America – Down 34% Since 2020]

[H2]
New Study Shows Litter Declining Across America – Down 34% Since 2020
May 13, 2026But 35 Billion Pieces Remain: Progress Report Reveals What’s Working and Where Urgent Action Is Still Needed
read more

[IMG: The Home Depot Foundation Funds Keep America Beautiful’s RETREET Program to Replant Trees After Disasters]

[H2]
The Home Depot Foundation Funds Keep America Beautiful’s RETREET Program to Replant Trees After Disasters
Apr 24, 2026$250,000 grant supports tree planting in communities recovering from extreme weather and climate disasters.
read more

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[H2] Learn more about the Greatest American Cleanup

Get Involved

[H2] Join the movement

Keep Cincinnati Beautiful joined the Greatest American Cleanup because it’s a great celebration, and [cleaning up] 25 billion pieces of trash is going to make a big difference. We’ve been working with individual Cincinnatians to make sure that Cincinnati is the cleanest city in the Midwest and hopefully at some point, the cleanest city in the country.
– Jonathan Adee, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful

– Darlissha Tillman-Sadler, Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful

At Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful, we’re all about the celebration of our community members’ successes for the Tennessee River watershed, and the Greatest American Cleanup campaign allows us to join in on that kind of celebration at a national scale.
– Kathleen Gibi, Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful

We joined the Greatest American Cleanup to have a local impact on the fight against litter, and to enable the local towns and communities in Orangeburg County to get involved by taking the KAB pledge. We know it takes us all working together for a cleaner, more beautiful Orangeburg County.
-Lisa Rigden (Keep Orangeburg County Beautiful)

The effort we put in is rewarded with instant gratification. ? ?
Crista Lukoski (Keep Newberry County Beautiful)

We joined the Greatest American Cleanup to be an example that we hope to have others follow in our mission.
Paula Rhodes (Keep Hampton County Beautiful)

Give today to support the Greatest American Cleanup – so we can #DoBeautifulThings tomorrow
Donate Today

[H2] Press Releases

[H2] Do Beautiful Things Podcast

[H2] KAB Stories & Blogs

[H2] Affiliate Updates

[H2] Press Releases

[IMG: Keep America Beautiful Names David Whitehouse to National Board of Directors; Board Member Brian Garofalow Named Vice Chair]

[H2]
Keep America Beautiful Names David Whitehouse to National Board of Directors; Board Member Brian Garofalow Named Vice Chair
New board leaders brings deep expertise in digital transformation, brand strategy, consumer engagement, and scalable execution.

[IMG: New Study Shows Litter Declining Across America – Down 34% Since 2020]

[H2]
New Study Shows Litter Declining Across America – Down 34% Since 2020
But 35 Billion Pieces Remain: Progress Report Reveals What’s Working and Where Urgent Action Is Still Needed

[IMG: The Home Depot Foundation Funds Keep America Beautiful’s RETREET Program to Replant Trees After Disasters]

[H2]
The Home Depot Foundation Funds Keep America Beautiful’s RETREET Program to Replant Trees After Disasters
$250,000 grant supports tree planting in communities recovering from extreme weather and climate disasters.

« Older Entries

[H2] “Do Beautiful Things” Podcast

[IMG: Counting 35 Billion Pieces of Litter: Digging into the Keep America Beautiful 2026 National Litter Study]

[H2]
Counting 35 Billion Pieces of Litter: Digging into the Keep America Beautiful 2026 National Litter Study
Behind the stats: a revealing look at what’s working—and where urgent action is still needed.

[IMG: Keep Louisiana Beautiful: Lt. Governor Nungesser on Community, Innovation, and the Fight Against Litter]

[H2]
Keep Louisiana Beautiful: Lt. Governor Nungesser on Community, Innovation, and the Fight Against Litter
How Louisiana’s bold initiatives are transforming litter cleanup into a sweeping movement for a more beautiful state

[IMG: Inside the Effort to Keep Our National Parks Clean Beautiful]

[H2]
Inside the Effort to Keep Our National Parks Clean Beautiful
From Cape Cod to Yellowstone, discover how partnerships, education, and smart design are helping visitors reduce their impact and preserve the country’s most treasured landscapes

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[H2] KAB Stories & Blogs

[IMG: Show the Earth Some Love This Valentine’s Day]

[H2]
Show the Earth Some Love This Valentine’s Day
Celebrate Valentine’s Day sustainably with eco-friendly practices. Discover tips for a more environmentally conscious and waste-free celebration.

[IMG: Ring in the New Year, Sustainably!]

[H2]
Ring in the New Year, Sustainably!
Make your New Year’s Eve party eco-friendly! Check out these 10 sustainable ideas to celebrate the new year.

[IMG: Give Thanks, Not Waste: Simple Ways to Celebrate a More Sustainable Thanksgiving]

[H2]
Give Thanks, Not Waste: Simple Ways to Celebrate a More Sustainable Thanksgiving
Reduce waste this Thanksgiving! Celebrate the eco-friendly way with our 7 ideas to enjoy a sustainable holiday.

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[H2] Affiliate Updates

[IMG: Keep America Beautiful Presents 2025 National Awards at Largest Summit in Organization’s History]

[H2]
Keep America Beautiful Presents 2025 National Awards at Largest Summit in Organization’s History
Thirty-eight affiliates and partners honored in New Orleans for advancing clean, green, and beautiful communities

[IMG: Colorado Gets Even More Beautiful as Keep America Beautiful Announces New State Affiliate in the Centennial State]

[H2]
Colorado Gets Even More Beautiful as Keep America Beautiful Announces New State Affiliate in the Centennial State
Keep America Beautiful launches new Colorado affiliate with support from Governor Polis and lolunteers at a Colorado Day cleanup in Denver.

[IMG: Akron Woman Removes 1 Million Pieces of Litter from City Streets]

[H2]
Akron Woman Removes 1 Million Pieces of Litter from City Streets
Discover how Debbie Miller turned a tragic accident into a city-wide movement, transforming Akron one piece of litter at a time.

« Older Entries

[H2] Take Action Now

[H2] Affiliate Network

[H2] Individual Action Center

[H2] Partners for Change

[H2] YOUR DONATION IN ACTION

Your generosity allows us to expand our program offerings, fund community improvement projects from coast to coast, and provide the means needed to make meaningful and lasting impact in local communities across the U.S.
Start Now

[H1] About Keep America Beautiful

[H2] Quick Facts

Founded in 1953
National nonprofit focused on litter prevention and reduction, recycling, beautification, and community improvement
Based in Stamford, Connecticut with network of 731 local affiliates across the United States

[H2] Who Are We

Keep America Beautiful is a national nonprofit organization working with local affiliates, volunteers, public agencies, and corporate partners to reduce litter, increase recycling, and improve communities across the nation.
We believe everyone deserves to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community. Together with our nationwide network of affiliates, we support local programs that bring people together to care for the places where they live.
Today, our network includes more than 730 community-based affiliates working in towns and cities across the country. These local leaders, volunteers, and partners carry out programs that range from litter cleanups and recycling education to tree planting, neighborhood revitalization, and beautification of public spaces.

[IMG: Are You a Little Bug? Keep America Beautiful History Image with Bee]

[H2] Our History

Our story began in 1953, when organizations representing civic groups, conservation organizations, corporations, and government agencies came together to find solutions to the growing national concern of litter along America’s highways and public spaces. That initial meeting would eventually evolve into Keep America Beautiful, an organization founded on the idea that improving communities requires collaboration and action among citizens, organizations, government, and business.

[H2] Bringing Litter into the
[H2] National Conversation

In our early years, we helped bring national attention to the problem of litter through public education campaigns and some of the most widely recognized public service announcements in American history. These campaigns helped place litter prevention into the national conversation and encouraged individuals to take responsibility for caring for shared spaces. Over time, our research helped to increase public understanding about why litter happens and what can be done to prevent it.

[H2] How Keep America Beautiful Has Evolved

What began as a conversation about roadside litter has grown into a nationwide movement powered by millions of volunteers. Today, we support initiatives that address a wide range of environmental and community challenges, including:
litter prevention
recycling and waste reduction
beautification and greening
environmental education
community improvement and revitalization
Through research, education, and local partnerships, we help communities build lasting solutions that improve public spaces and strengthen civic pride.
Across our affiliate network, local leaders and volunteers organize cleanup events, plant trees, expand recycling opportunities, and work to improve the places where people live, work, and gather.
These efforts demonstrate a simple but powerful idea: when people come together to care for their communities, meaningful change is possible.

[H2] Looking Ahead

Today, we continue that work through initiatives such as the Greatest American Cleanup for America’s 250th, a nationwide effort to mobilize communities in the years leading up to the country’s semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026.
By bringing together volunteers, local governments, civic organizations, and businesses, we are working to ensure that communities across the United States remain clean, green, and beautiful for generations to come.

[H2] Frequently Asked Questions

[H4] Q: What is Keep America Beautiful?
Keep America Beautiful is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1953 that works with local affiliates, volunteers, public agencies, and corporate partners to reduce litter, increase recycling, and improve communities.

[H4] Q: When was Keep America Beautiful founded?
Keep America Beautiful was founded in 1953 following a meeting of organizations concerned about litter along America’s highways. The organizing meeting took place October 15, 1953 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

[H4] Q: Who founded Keep America Beautiful?
The organization emerged from a cross-sector coalition including civic organizations, conservation groups, government agencies, and industry representatives. Founding members included:
The following organizations were part of the founding of Keep America Beautiful:
[H5] Conservation, Community and Youth Organizations
Boy Scouts of America
Izaak Walton League of America
National Clean-Up—Paint-Up—Fix-Up Bureau
National Council of State Garden Clubs
National Parks Association
Sport Fishing Association
[H5] Corporations and Industry Groups
American Can Company
American Petroleum Institute
California State Chamber of Commerce
Can Manufacturers Institute
Carr-Lowrey Glass Company
Continental Can Company
Fibre Box Association
Glass Container Manufacturing Institute
National Association of Chewing Gum Manufacturers
National Beer Wholesalers Association
National Can Corporation
Owens-Illinois Glass Company
Paper Cup and Container Institute
U.S. Brewers Foundation
[H5] Government Agencies
Connecticut State Highway Department
New York State Department of Public Works
[H5] Transportation Organizations
American Automobile Association
Automobile Manufacturers Association

[H4] Q: Was Keep America Beautiful created by corporations?
The organization emerged from collaboration among multiple sectors including civic organizations, conservation groups, government agencies, and companies concerned about roadside litter.

[H2] Mission & History

Keep America Beautiful® envisions a country in which every community is a clean, green, and beautiful place to live.

[H2] OUR MISSION

Our mission is to inspire and educate people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment.
Explore Our Stories

[H2] OUR HISTORY

Since 1953, we’ve been bringing together communities, organizations, and corporate partners across the country to address litter and improve public spaces. What began as a conversation about roadside litter has grown into a nationwide movement supporting cleaner, greener, and more vibrant communities.
Explore Our History

[H2] We Believe in the Power of Beauty

At Keep America Beautiful®, we believe that beauty is about more than clean streets or green parks—it’s about people working together to care for the places we share.
Across the country, we bring neighbors, volunteers, and communities together to strengthen local pride and improve the places where people live.
When people work side by side to care for their communities, they build connections that make neighborhoods stronger, healthier, and more resilient.
Join us. Find a local affiliate, volunteer in your community, or learn how you can help keep America beautiful.

[H2] Looking for a career that makes a difference?

Explore opportunities to join the team at Keep America Beautiful

[H2] Affiliate Network

[H2] Individual Action Center

[H2] Partners for Change

[H2] YOUR DONATION IN ACTION

Your generosity allows us to expand our program offerings, fund community improvement projects from coast to coast, and provide the means needed to make meaningful and lasting impact in local communities across the U.S.
Start Now

[H1] Your Support Helps Us Do Beautiful Things!

$25 donations will buy a package of bulbs, bringing vibrant colors to parks and public spaces
A contribution of $50 provides two clean-up kits for community events
Your $100 gift will supply paint and materials for a mural on an MLK Boulevard
With $500, you will fund two 15-gallon native trees, offering hope to families rebuilding in the wake of natural disaster
Find more ways to give, here
No donation is too small; each one contributes to our mission to clean, green and beautify our nation. Together, we’re transforming communities, one step at a time.