Penn Hills Anti-Litter Group offers certificate to those keeping businesses clean, tidy

An anti-litter group in Penn Hills is now handing out certificates to businesses that clean up after themselves and keep things looking neat.

Faith Milazzo, founder of Penn Hills Anti-Litter Group, said the Clean Sweep Initiative is a “casual” way of affirming local business owners in the fight against litter.

“Through all of what’s happening with covid, if a business owner is willing to keep their business clean – if they’re willing to go out and do that, we thought we should award them. And then we hope people will want to support them,” Milazzo said.

She said the group awarded Griff’s Grounds Coffè, a coffeehouse and café along Leechburg Road, with the initiative’s first certificate recently. Another Penn Hills business is in line to receive the next certificate, she said. She hopes to award up to three businesses per month.

Milazzo said she hopes the initiative encourages community members to point out businesses that are going the extra mile to keep the outside of their establishments clean and tidy.

“Anyone can contact us if they see one that’s going above and beyond,” Milazzo said. “We’re not looking for perfection. If it’s presentable and looks neat and clean … It is subjective, but anyone can do it and reach out to us.”

Griffann Coleman-Brewer, owner of Griff’s, said she’s honored to be the first in Penn Hills to be recognized. The shop, managed by her husband, Keith Brewer-Coleman, opened in January 2017. She said they’ve been supporters of Milazzo’s group since then by offering discounts to those who volunteer during the group’s regular cleanup events around town.

“It’s well-needed,” Coleman-Brewer said of the Penn Hills Anti-Litter Group’s efforts. “So we try to do our part in cleaning up after ourselves, and we try to leave a good carbon footprint.”

Penn Hills Anti-Litter Group organizes regular cleanups in the municipality. Its first event is typically held in April. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page.