Living Lands & Waters (LL&W), an East Moline, IL-headquartered nonprofit that facilitates what it calls “industrial strength” river cleanups, is setting its sights on the three rivers that surround downtown Pittsburgh, thanks to the support of Counselor Top 40 supplier PCNA (asi/66887).

Living Lands & Waters removes abandoned vehicles from a Pittsburgh waterway.

In a project that began Aug. 12, LL&W mobilized a portion of its fleet, including a deck barge, towboat, excavator and work boats, to remove up to 100 abandoned cars and boats from the western Pennsylvania waterways. The items, some of which have been submerged for decades, pose serious hazards to wildlife and water quality and are potentially linked to unsolved crimes, according to the nonprofit.

“We are incredibly grateful to PCNA for their support, which is crucial in allowing us to undertake this significant cleanup operation,” said Chad Pregracke, LL&W founder. “Removing these hazardous materials from the river is not only essential for the environment but also for the safety and well-being of the community.”

In the works for nearly a year, the ambitious project began with the efforts of Three Rivers Waterkeeper (3RWK), which has been scanning the rivers with sonar equipment to scope out the location of the abandoned vehicles and vessels. Founded in 2009, 3RWK works to protect and restore the water quality of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers.

As part of the cleanup, LL&W’s excavator barge will anchor at the locations scouted by 3RWK. Divers from the Hamilton County Police Association, alongside Pittsburgh River Rescue EMS, will dive, mark and hook up the underwater debris, ensuring LL&W’s excavator can safely extract it once the divers are out of the water.

Headquartered in the Pittsburgh suburb of New Kensington, PA, PCNA said it’s supporting LL&W’s efforts because it’s committed to making a difference in its own backyard.

“At PCNA, we believe that our responsibility extends far beyond the walls of our offices,” said Nick McCulloch, director of ESG at PCNA. “Together, we’re not just cleaning up our rivers – we’re investing in the future health and vibrancy of the Pittsburgh area, ensuring it remains a beautiful and safe place for all who live and work here.”

As a follow-up to the project, PCNA said it plans to join forces with LL&W for a shoreline cleanup day in the fall as a further demonstration of both organizations’ commitment to maintaining the health and beauty of local waterways.

PCNA ranked fifth in Counselor’s most recent list of the top suppliers in the industry, with 2023 North American promotional products revenue of $693.9 million.

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