Part Two of Every Voice, Every Vote research revealed that Philly takes pride in community engagement but believes neighborhoods could use more support for local sustainability initiatives. 

Think Philly needs more trash cans? So do 70% of Philadelphians surveyed.

How about more trees? That’s about 67% of those surveyed.

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism released a follow up to their Every Voice, Every Vote Qualitative Research Findings at the end of the summer. The stated goal of the research was to hear from a broad range of Philadelphians about three topic areas: Public Safety, Clean and Green (Sustainability), and Education. 

Green Philly previously reported on Clean and Green in Part I, which was a summary of findings from eight focus groups. Participants revealed that extra trash pickup, 311 response times, and tree plantings were all welcome initiatives, but long-term maintenance seems lacking. 

This round compiled responses from a Philly Pulse Community Poll, which the researchers say reached 5.5 times as many Philadelphians as the focus groups. Still, their responses echoed those from the focus groups.

Here are Five Takeaways from the Philly Pulse Community Poll on Mayor Parker’s Clean and Green Initiatives:

1. Philadelphians want more trash cans. Out of the 233 participants, over 70 percent said that adding more trash cans is a priority. Researchers stated that participants often “attributed the large amount of litter they see to the lack of easily accessible trash cans.” Participants also noted the importance of regularly emptying trash cans. One survey responder wrote, “Just having more trashcans everywhere would solve so many problems! One fish head trashcan mysteriously disappeared from a nearby corner and immediately littering skyrocketed.”
2. Community engagement and civic pride are key. Researchers found that, “more so than the other two topics in the poll,” participants cited the need for community members to take pride in keeping their neighborhoods clean and green. Responders asked for support of community leaders, such as Block Captains; others suggested that financial incentives could help. “Give incentives to people who collect trash and dispose of it correctly,” wrote one responder. Another wrote: “We should fund the people who have their boot on the ground and are already doing the work.”
3. Plant – and commit to maintaining – more trees. The City has committed to planting more trees through its Philly Tree Plan. Participants felt positively about the addition of trees and green spaces for their environmental and mental health impacts. “South Philadelphia has a high heat index, so more trees that would help to reduce the temperature would be welcome in our neighborhood,” wrote one participant.
4. Green spaces are community assets. Poll participants noted that green spaces and community gardens present opportunities for community connection, neighborhood beautification, and low-cost food for people in need. Responders suggested utilizing vacant lots for green space, and one responder believed that green spaces can improve “property values that greatly contribute to the Philadelphia tax base.”
5. Illegal dumping has got to go. Illegal dumping – or leaving bulk piles of trash in abandoned or unmonitored spaces – is a concern for Philadelphians. Pulse Poll participants called for greater prevention, enforcement, and punishment for illegal dumping. One participant wrote: “To reduce illegal dumping, we need more cameras in the known dumping areas, increase the fines, and for repeat offenses, loss of business licenses.”

Want to get involved? Here are three groups working on these issues

Trash Academy

Trash Academy is a diverse group dedicated to changing Philadelphia’s waste and litter problems through initiatives like cleanups and anti-dumping campaigns brought directly to City Council. Found out more here. 

TreePhilly

A program through Philadelphia Parks and Rec, TreePhilly aims to increase Philly’s tree coverage by making tree planting and care more accessible across the city. To get involved, click here.

Farm Philly

Another initiative of Parks and Rec is Farm Philly, which connects Philadelphians to urban agriculture resources and events. Meet the program’s director here, and check out more about Farm Philly here. 

Cover photo: Dumping at Fairhill and Annsbury streets in North Philadelphia, as reported to Philly 311 on March 8, 2022 (Twitter/@philly311photos)

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Angie Bacha (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based solutions journalist and recent Erasmus Mundus Master's in Journalism, Media and Globalisation student in Aarhus, Denmark. Previously, she worked as a student journalist at Community College of Philadelphia and Editorial Intern at Resolve Philly. Some other hats she has worn: Human Rights and Theatre Studies graduate; teaching artist; carpenter; AmeriCorps volunteer; and rock climbing gym shift supervisor. NEWS TIPS: angiebacha1@gmail.com View all posts by Angie Bacha