“Offroading - Dumpsite Edition” was a third-place winner in the 2023 Lens on Litter contest. The Pennsylvania Resources Council is looking for entries for the 2024 contest. Submitted Photo

The Pennsylvania Resources Council is asking amateur photographers to help raise awareness about the state’s littering problem by entering the annual Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest.

Any Pennsylvania resident, including children, can use a camera or mobile device to identify the worst or most unusual examples of litter in their community, according to a news release from the council.

The contest is open to amateur photographers only. Entries should help bring awareness to how litter threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment or wildlife.

Entries will be judged on six criteria: anti-litter message, originality, photographic technique, quality of photo, originality of title and severity of the litter pictured.

Entries should be made in one of two categories: student, which is youth up to grade 12; and adult. Three prizes will be awarded in each group, with first place winning $500, second place $250, and third place $100.

The deadline for submission is Oct. 31.

Entries, which are limited to five per person, should be between 4-by-6-inches and 8-by-10-inches in size.

Photos can be sent to PRC Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Contest, 1521 N. Providence Road, Media, PA 19063.

High-resolution digital entries may be sent to lensonlitter@prc.org.

All entries should include the entrant’s name, address, email address, phone number, title given to the photo, location of litter site, and how the entrant learned of the contest.

Students must include their age, grade and name of school.

Entrants also are encouraged to initiate a cleanup of the subject area and provide a photo of the results of their efforts for additional judging points.

Additional information is available at prc.org/what-we-do/lens-on-litter-contest.