Apple Polisher & Polish the Apple (I Love a Clean New York campaign, 1976-1980)

I Love a Clean New York, Inc. (borrowing from the “I Love New York” theme) was established in 1976 by New York Telephone Co. President John Mulhearn to improve the cleanliness and image of New York City. There was a “Polish the Apple” campaign and helpers were called “apple polishers”—clear nods to New York City’s “Big Apple” nickname.
   
The Daily News (New York, NY) published stories with a “BE AN APPLE POLISHER” apple logo from July 10, 1979 until November 20, 1980.
   
   
Newspapers.com
19 October 1976, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. Q2, col. 1 photo caption:
Shining Up the Big Apple
New York Telephone Co. President John Mulhearn pins “I Love a Clean New York” button on Mayor Beame’s lapel yesterday. Mulhearn is chairman of a private citizens group formed to combat dirt and litter in New York City. The group, called appropriately enough, I Love a Clean New York, will conduct campaign to persuade citizens to help keep streets spotless.
 
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22 March 1977, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 15, col. 1:
Litterbugs Beware! Apple Polishers Want You
By ARTHUR BROWNE
 
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1 August 1977, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 24, col. 1 photo caption:
They Like Big Apple Washed.
Nancy Bilquin (left), Miss I Love A Clean New York, kicks off first annual Peter Stuyvesant Cleaner New York Carnival on 14th St. yesterday. With her are court members (l. to r.) Eileen Moenig, Shari Spitzman, Dianne McKenna and Marianne Christi.
 
Newspapers.com
28 September 1977, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 8, col. 3 photo caption:
Big Apple Polishers
Sanit Commissioner Anthony Vaccarella (left) and telephone company’s John Mulhern flank mobile litter bin during I Love a Clean New York parade yesterday. March around Bryant Park was rained out last week but got under way under sunny skies yesterday at 9:30 a.m. Twenty-five city corporations sent representatives to march that launches a six-week campaign by businessmen to clean up town.
 
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2 July 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 5, col. 2:
CLEAN CITY (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
Pg. 5, col. 4:
Cleaning the city:
the first steps
I Love a Clean New York Inc., a nonprofit clean streets organization, is organizing a “Polish the Apple” campaign to spruce up the midtown area.
 
Newspapers.com
10 July 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 5, col. 1:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
Pg. 5, col. 2:
In any event, Emanuel Sorge, executive director of I Love a Clean New York, Inc., a pioneer apple polisher, had pledged to talk with the group and expedite its requests before the city. Tomorrow the group will sponsor a star-spangled “Polish the Apple” campaign on the steps of the main Public Library at Fifth Ave. and 42d St. Casts of several Broadway plays will be there.
   
Newspapers.com
11 July 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 5, col. 3:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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12 July 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 5, col. 4:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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13 July 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. C5, col. 4:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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15 July 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), “We want you” editorial, pg. C17, col. 1:
We need only the kind of enthusiasm and determination and drive that Mayor Koch expressed when he proclaimed this week “I’m an Apple Polisher Week”. (...) Join the army of apple polishers.
 
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23 July 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. C5, col. 1:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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26 July 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 5, col. 3:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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29 July 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 4, col. 4:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
   
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7 August 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 7, col. 1:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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1 September 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 7, col. 2:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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6 September 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 7, col. 4:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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16 October 1979, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 7, col. 4:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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26 March 1980, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 22, col. 1:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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6 May 1980, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 29, col. 2:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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17 June 1980, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 14, col. 2:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
   
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8 August 1980, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 35, col. 2:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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20 November 1980, Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 78, col. 2:
BE AN APPLE POLISHER (An apple logo is shown .—ed.)
 
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19 October 2007, The Independent (London, UK), Extra sec., pg. 6, col. 5:
(“A CLEAN NEW YORK CITY IS A HEALTHY CITY” is shown on a New York City street trash can. “A CLEAN NEW YORK CITY” is shown on a red apple, with the city skyline also shown.—ed.)