Block by Block Philly competes with LA and Chicago in cleanest-city showdown
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Volunteers pose during one of Block by Block Philly's cleanup events. Photo: Courtesy of Block by Block Philly
You can call them the Fightin' Filthies: Block by Block Philly is leading more than a dozen neighborhood cleanups in a friendly competition with two other big cities.
The big picture: Community activists and environmental groups like Block by Block Philly are independently bolstering efforts to rid the city of its "Filthadelphia" moniker.
- That goal has been a cornerstone of Mayor Cherelle Parker's pledge to make Philadelphia one of the "greenest, cleanest, safest" big cities in the U.S.
Driving the news: Block by Block Philly is partnering with REACH Eastern Liberties for the first of two weekend cleanups Saturday from 9-11am at 901 New Market St., followed by another Sunday in South Philly.
- The group plans to host 15 cleanups citywide this month, from North Philly to Kensington.
Zoom in: Block by Block Philly's goal is to secure bragging rights by removing more tons of litter from Philly neighborhoods than competing groups in Los Angeles and Chicago.
- The head-to-head clean-off started last year as a one-off event with Cleanup Chicago Club.
- Collectively, the cities removed nearly 7 tons of trash from their streets — enough to fill 22 dump trucks, Block by Block Philly co-founder Amanda Block tells Axios.
- The Windy City group claimed the inaugural crown by just four bags — 927 to 923.
How it works: Anyone can participate, either as part of a cleanup or on their own. Just bag your trash, take a photo and log it with Block by Block.
The intrigue: Nearly 1,000 volunteers took part in 59 cleanups for last year's event— and those rookie numbers are likely to swell this year with a third group getting in on the action.
Between the lines: While the group's efforts are independent from Philly's Department of Sanitation, the city has supported their work, often stopping by at past cleanups with trucks to haul away litter, Block tells Axios.
- The city is hosting its own Clean Block Contest this month over two dozen blocks — an initiative that last year involved more than 26,000 volunteers who collected more than 21,000 bags of trash.
What they're saying: Philadelphians don't need much coaxing to turn anything competitive — whether it's picking up trash or scarfing down rotisserie chickens.
- "We're fully energized by watching the community impact," Block says.
Catch up quick: Block and her husband, local real estate agent David Evans, co-founded the nonprofit during the pandemic, when delayed trash pickups left Philly neighborhoods overflowing with garbage.
- Despite working day jobs, the couple has expanded the group, has secured grants and hopes to raise enough money to buy its own dump truck.
- Their children are also heavily involved in the cleanups.
What we're watching: The group has other greening initiatives up its sleeve, including a partnership with local street artist Irregular on art installations at what have long been trash-dumping sites across the city.