The Pittsburgh Garbage Olympics started in 2017 as a competition between five East End neighborhoods to see which one could pick up the most trash in a two hour period. Since then, the event has grown to 38 neighborhoods participating in 2020 (during a global pandemic) with over 550 volunteers picking up almost 1,000 bags of trash, 134 tires, 95 TVs, 15 mattresses, and a dishwasher full of silverware.

The event typically takes place on the third Saturday in September, coordinating with National Clean-up Day. Volunteers join neighborhood teams to pick up trash, and the Clean Pittsburgh Commission then judges the trash piles to award a prize for most trash collected.

The event builds relationships between people who have a passion for beautifying their communities. It also helps residents feel empowered to make change in their neighborhoods.