BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 16, 2013)— Joined by DPW Director, Alfred H. Foxx, Mike Levy from the American Chemistry Council, and community association leaders, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the winners of the second Clean Community Competition. The announcement took place today in the City Hall Rotunda on Holliday St.

Sponsored by the American Chemistry Council, the Clean Community Competition challenged communities throughout Baltimore to get involved in cleaning up their neighborhoods on a daily basis. Neighborhoods in each of four sections of the City competed for first place prizes of $5,000 and second place prizes of $1,000. A committee of judges assessed improvements and overall cleanliness.

Communities were judged on their efforts to increase recycling tonnage, clean lots, streets and alleys, clean and sweep storm drains, and green or beautify their neighborhoods. Extra points were awarded for adopting vacant lots through the Power In Dirt initiative and for installing clean-themed storm drain stencils.

Communities were judged on their efforts to increase recycling tonnage, clean lots, streets and alleys, clean and sweep storm drains, and green or beautify their neighborhoods. Extra points were awarded for adopting vacant lots through the Power In Dirt initiative and for installing clean-themed storm drain stencils.

The winners of the 2013 Clean Community Competition are:

• Northwest Quadrant: 1st Place: 3200 Carlisle Block Association, Inc.; 2nd Place: Greater Remington Improvement Association (won First Place in 2012)
• Southwest Quadrant: 1st Place: South Baltimore Partnership; 2nd Place: Gwynns Falls Business and Homeowners Association (won First Place in 2012)
• Southeast Quadrant: 1st Place: Re-Build Johnston Square; 2nd Place: New Greenmount West Community Association

The American Chemistry Council's Plastics Division represents leading companies dedicated to providing innovative solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow through plastics. Ongoing innovations from America's Plastics Makers™ have led to medical advances and safety equipment that make our lives better, healthier and safer every day. Because plastics are such a valuable resource, the Plastics Division is leading efforts to "reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover," through outreach, education, and access to advances in recycling technology.