Lens on Litter Contest

Since 1984, PRC has sponsored an annual Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo contest, not to glorify litter but to bring attention to the litter problem in communities across Pennsylvania. Exposure leads to prevention!

Participants from across the state have submitted thousands of photos over the years. Contestants are eligible for monetary prizes up to $500. All submitted photos may be used by PRC at their discretion.

Contest dates run from January 1 to October 31 each year.

Prizes

Contestants are divided into two categories:

  • Adults
  • Students (through Grade 12).

Each category will be awarded the following prizes:

  • First prize: $500
  • Second prize: $250
  • Third prize: $100

Rules and Submissions

Photos submitted to the Lens on Litter Photo Contest should help to heighten litter consciousness by showing how litter threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment, pets, or wildlife.

Each photo will be judged on 6 criteria:

    • Anti-litter message
    • Originality of photo
    • Photographic technique
    • Quality of photo
    • Originality of title
    • Severity of the Litterbug’s crime

Photo Rules

  1. Photos must be taken in Pennsylvania by Pennsylvania residents.
  2. Photos may be black-and-white or color.
  3. Printed photo entries must be no smaller than 4×6 inches and no larger than 8×10 inches.
  4. Digital entries must be submitted in high resolution. (This will improve the quality of the printed photos.)
  5. Only one winning photo per entrant.

Photo Submittal Requirements

  1. Each participant may submit up to 5 photos.
  2. Each photo must include the following:
    • Contest category (adult or student)
      • Students must also include age, grade, and school name
    • Photographer’s name, address, email and phone number
    • Title of composition
    • Location of composition
    • How you heard about the contest
  3. Optional but encouraged: Extra points are awarded for entrants that coordinate clean-up of the subject area and submit a “before and after” photo as evidence of your clean-up efforts.
  4. Digital entries should be submitted via the form on this page or by emailing lensonlitter@prc.org. Please include all required information listed above in your email.
  5. Mail-in entries should be posted by October 31 and sent to:

PRC/Lens on Litter
1671 N. Providence Road
Media, PA 19063

Photos submitted that do not meet all requirements and rules above will not be considered. 

Important disclosure: By submitting a photographic image in the Lens on Litter Photo Contest, entrants agree to allow PRC to use the photos at its discretion.

Questions? Please email lensonlitter@prc.org

Lens on Litter Submission Form

Upload your Lens on Litter photo contest submission here or email photos to lensonlitter@prc.org

Your Name(Required)
Your Address
Your Email Address(Required)
Entry Type(Required)
Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, jpeg, Max. file size: 100 MB.

Lynn Armel, Erie, “Great Lake Garbage Patch”
2022 First-Place Winner, Adult Category

Current Sponsors

Anti-Litter Champion

 

Carolyn Capaldi

Robert & Mary Capaldi

Anti-Litter Advocate

 

Anti-Litter Supporter

 

Sponsorship Tiers

  • Anti-Litter Champion — $1,000
  • Anti-Litter Advocate — $500
  • Anti- Litter Supporter — $250
  • Anti-Litterbug — $100

Sponsorship Contributions

Make Checks Payable To:
Pennsylvania Resources Council

Send To:
Pennsylvania Resources Council (Lens on Litter)
1671 N. Providence Road
Media, PA 19063

Join Us as a Lens on Litter Sponsor