As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, efforts to clean up the region are kicking into high gear.

Allegheny CleanWays, a nonprofit dedicated to removing litter, in September launched a regionwide cleaning and beautification effort dubbed the Immaculate Collection, a play on the famed Immaculate Reception that Steelers legend Franco Harris caught in a 1972 playoff game.

The goal is to ensure the Pittsburgh region looks its best when it hosts the hundreds of thousands of football fans expected to come to town for the draft — and to spur long-lasting litter collection efforts that will keep the region clean beyond the three-day event, officials said Friday during a press conference outside of the City-County Building.

“Cared-for places aren’t handed to us,” said Caily Grube, executive director of Allegheny CleanWays. “They’re created with us and by us.”

Backed by nearly $1 million in sponsorships from various foundations and other partners, the effort includes cleanups along 50 miles of interstates, Grube said. Highway cleanup efforts — including along Interstates 79 and 279 and Route 28 — will continue regularly over the next two years as part of the initiative, Grube said.

The Immaculate Collection has seen volunteers launch litter pick-ups in 50 neighborhoods, Grube said.

Over 400 tons of litter have been collected since the effort launched in the fall, according to Grube.

“This is what it looks like when people decide their place matters and they get to work,” she said.

Garbage games

Officials on Friday also launched a new phase of the project, a collegiate litter challenge that will pit local universities against each other to see whose students can pick up the most trash.

Starting Monday and continuing through April 5, students at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Community College of Allegheny County, La Roche University, Chatham University, Point Park University, Robert Morris University and Carlow University will track how much litter they gather around their campuses and communities.

Ted Black, senior vice president of institutional advancement and strategy at Point Park University, said what he finds most meaningful about the initiative is many students who will participate aren’t even from Allegheny County — yet they’ll still dedicate their time to cleaning up the community.

He urged everyone to play their part.

“Find a cleanup near you, grab a bag and be part of the effort,” Black said.

‘Catalytic momentum’

Officials vowed to build on the energy they’ve built in the lead-up to the draft, which will come to the city in 34 days.

Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor said he wanted to continue to focus on cleaning up not just Downtown and main streets, but also parks, playgrounds and ball fields.

“This isn’t just about the NFL Draft,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, who passed out flowers Friday morning to mark the spring equinox. “It’s about the catalytic momentum that is built where people come together to not just pick up trash but to improve their community.”

Allegheny CleanWays on Friday distributed kits with gloves and trash bags as officials urged everyone to chip in on the work.

“It’s great to see so many people on board with redding up Pittsburgh again,” O’Connor said.