The Murphy Administration has awarded more than $27 million in annual聽Clean Communities grants to support municipal and county litter removal programs that spruce up neighborhoods, keep trash out of waterways, and protect wildlife and their habitats, Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced.
| The grant awards were announced in conjunction with an event hosted by the New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC) at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. Municipalities and counties can use the grant funding to organize volunteer litter cleanups on public lands, purchase litter removal equipment, clear trash from stormwater systems, educate the public, remove graffiti, and enforce litter-related laws and ordinances.鈥淭hese annual investments through NJ Clean Communities continue to help communities remove unsightly litter and beautify neighborhoods, educate people on the harms of littering, and inspire us to be stewards of the environment we share,鈥澛爏aid Commissioner LaTourette. 鈥淒EP is proud to join with NJCCC to announce the awards that ensure towns have the necessary tools to keep New Jersey clean.鈥�
In total, the DEP is awarding $24.1 million to eligible municipalities and $3 million to counties across the state. The grant awards are based on population, housing units and miles of municipally owned roadways, as prescribed by state law. They are funded by taxes collected from businesses that produce litter-generating products and penalties paid for litter-related violations. NJCCC, the nonprofit organization partnering with the DEP, oversees the reporting requirements for the program. 鈥淟ocal litter abatement programs are critical as we continually strive to prevent roadway litter from getting into our waterways,鈥澛爏aid NJCCC Executive Director JoAnn聽Gemenden.聽鈥淐lean Communities grants provide local governments with the funds they need to help create a聽Litter Free NJ. The grants allow counties and municipalities to organize more volunteer cleanups, purchase cleanup equipment and trash and recycling receptacles for public spaces, promote litter education initiatives, and enhance stormwater management programs.鈥� NJCCC works to educate the public, primarily young people, about the harmful environmental impact of litter, especially on our waterways and the ocean. Through its Litter Free NJ outreach campaign, the organization has supported the reduction of plastic pollution in the state and continues to remind residents to bring their own reusable bags when shopping. In addition, it encourages the public to聽donate excess reusable bags聽to local food pantries, food banks and social service agencies. The NJCCC also administers the聽Adopt-a-Highway聽and聽Adopt-a-Beach聽programs. These statewide volunteer programs support groups, organizations, businesses or individuals who wish to enhance the appearance of New Jersey鈥檚 landscape by conducting trash cleanups at specific public locations. In addition, the organization recently launched its聽鈥淏e a Litter Rock Star鈥� Slogan Contest, inviting New Jerseyans of all ages to create a catchy slogan to inspire their community to keep the state clean. For more information, visit . |