Beautification

The County aims to foster a sense of pride among all residents by focusing on litter reduction, illegal dumping, enforcement, infrastructure improvements, and policy changes. This effort aims to enhance beautification efforts throughout the County and encourage residents, visitors, and businesses to protect and preserve the environment.

Creating a cleaner, greener environment is a shared responsibility among residents, visitors, and businesses. Everyone has a role to play in reducing litter in Prince George's County and in adopting behaviors that will contribute to a zero-waste future.

Beautification Efforts
Project Elevate Strikeforce

In alignment with County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy's Project Elevate – Strikeforce initiative, DoE has joined forces with the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) and the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE) to tackle the backlog of beautification service requests submitted through PGC311.

To date, our progress is significant:

230 tons of trash collected – that's over 460,000 pounds removed from our streets and neighborhoods.
Nearly 35 tons of scrap tires were removed.
Over 113 tons of yard trim collected.

DoE has played a vital role by supplying roll-off containers, trucks, packers, and on-site support at the Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill and Drop-off Convenience Center. These collective efforts are improving our communities and restoring pride across the County.

Strikeforce's focus areas include mowing, litter removal, pothole repair, street sweeping, and tree trimming and stump removal — all aimed at creating cleaner, safer, and more welcoming neighborhoods.

Community Cleanup Programs

DoE empowers residents through several community-based cleanup initiatives:

The Comprehensive Community Cleanup Program partners with civic and homeowners' associations to revitalize unincorporated areas of the County during spring and fall campaigns.
The Volunteer Neighborhood Cleanup Program engages residents, businesses, and nonprofits in neighborhood and stream cleanups.
The Storm Drain Stenciling Program raises awareness of water pollution by labeling drains with “Don't Dump—Chesapeake Bay Drainage," reminding everyone that storm drains lead directly to our waterways.
The Stream Cleanup Program removes nearly 20 tons of litter annually from waterways that flow into the Anacostia River, supporting our compliance with the County's NPDES MS4 permit.
The Community Roll-Off Dumpster Program offers communities dumpsters for weekend cleanups, enabling residents to take direct action in beautifying their neighborhoods.

Technology and Tools for Cleaner Communities

To strengthen enforcement and efficiency, the DoE continues to deploy surveillance cameras at illegal dumping hotspots and invest in PGCLitterTRAK, our smartphone app that empowers residents to report cleanups in real-time.

In partnership with DPW&T, DoE has installed Big Belly solar-powered trash and recycling stations at high-traffic bus stops. These stations use smart technology to signal when bins are full — helping prevent litter before it starts.

We've also installed three Bandalong Trash Traps in local waterways — at the Arundel Canal, Guilford Run, and Cabin Branch — which capture floating litter and debris, serving as powerful visual reminders of the impact of stormwater runoff.

Sustainability and Infrastructure

Our Urban Tree Grant Program continues to expand tree planting in underserved equity areas, improving air quality, cooling communities, and enhancing green spaces.

Through our Durable Medical Equipment Reuse Program, we collect and refurbish medical equipment at the Brown Station Road Drop-off Center, ensuring that valuable items are reused instead of discarded.

Residents who do not receive curbside service can access one of our County's Convenience Drop-off Centers, open six days a week, and our Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill, which remains a critical resource for safe and environmentally responsible waste disposal.

Curbside Collection Programs

To make waste management more convenient, the County now offers curbside bulky trash collection, allowing residents to set out four large items per week with their regular trash, thereby eliminating the need for scheduling separate pickups.

Additional curbside programs include:

Appliances and scrap tire collection (by appointment).
Electronics recycling and scrap metal collection — covering items from TVs and computers to water heaters and light fixtures.
Food scraps and yard trim collection under our PGC Composts program, which diverts organic materials from landfills, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and creates nutrient-rich compost.

Environmental Legislation and Policy

DoE proudly enforces environmental laws that make Prince George's County a regional leader in sustainability. These include:

The Coal Tar Sealant Ban (2015)
The Straw Ban (2020)
The Styrofoam Ban (2016)
The "Upon Request" Food Ware Bill (2023)
And the Plastic Bag Reduction Act, effective January 2024, which prohibits plastic carryout bags and requires retailers to charge 10¢ for reusable or paper bags.

Together, these policies reduce pollution, protect our waterways, and promote a cleaner, greener future.

Community Engagement and Education

Education remains at the heart of our mission. DoE developed Spencer the Sprout, a children's mascot and activity book that teaches PGCPS students about litter prevention and environmental stewardship.

Each October, DoE hosts our signature event, the Prince George's County Green Festival, in partnership with the City of Hyattsville. The festival brings together families, businesses, and organizations to celebrate sustainability, learn about County programs, and even adopt pets at Pawchella, our pet-friendly pavilion.

Our Community Engagement Beautification Division regularly attends HOA and civic meetings, career days, and community events to share resources, answer questions, and inspire action.