VPB Collective - Matthew Apple

Matt Apple — Leading a Litter-Free Revolution in Rochester

As the founder and CEO of Walking For Rochester, Matt Apple has transformed a small neighborhood cleanup initiative into one of the city’s most visible civic movements. Since launching the nonprofit in 2020, he’s united thousands of volunteers, businesses, and city partners around a shared goal: making Rochester the first litter-free city in the United States.

Why It Matters

• Challenge: Litter and neglect in urban areas often signal deeper issues of disconnection between residents, institutions, and shared responsibility.

• Approach: Matt combines technology, data, and collaboration to tackle environmental challenges at scale. Walking For Rochester leverages a mobile app and GIS dashboard to track impact, visualize data, and inform citywide strategy.

• Impact: The organization has removed thousands of pounds of litter, built long-standing partnerships with the City of Rochester, RIT, and Genesee River Watch, and created a replicable model for civic action and environmental innovation.

Fast Facts

• Focus Areas: Environmental Innovation • Community Engagement • Data-Driven Impact

• Affiliations: Walking For Rochester • City of Rochester • RIT • Genesee River Watch

• Credentials: Founder & CEO, Walking For Rochester

• Location: Rochester, New York

View Matt Apple’s Full VPB Collective Profile →

Editor’s Note: Part of the VPB Collective — Builders, Backers & Believers creating scalable impact at the intersection of Capital, Capacity, and Community.