The Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee (PMBC), part of the Streets Department's Sanitation Division, began in 1965 as part of the "Clean-Up, Paint-Up, Fix-Up" initiative. Over the years, this initiative has evolved into an urban environmental partnership between city government and approximately 6,500 Block Captains and their organized blocks. PMBC has become the most workable approach to combating neighborhood grime with organized block cleanings and has grown to be one of the largest volunteer organizations of its kind in the country.
Starting with a few hundred cleanups in the early years, cleaning and beautification activities have increased to over 9,000 each year. Over 90,000 volunteers, including Block Captains and their neighbors, community groups and their units, fill approximately 110,000 bags during their cleaning activities each year.
PMBC is a true example of a partnership that promotes civic pride, public safety, and neighborhood empowerment among the thousands of volunteers working to keep their communities, and this city, clean and safe.
If you wish to become a part of this unique partnership, please contact the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee at 215-685-3981. Your Clean Block Officer will assist you and your neighbors with selecting a Block Captain, and organizing your block for cleanups and beautification efforts.
Click here to meet your PMBC reps!