Most fundraising car washes are held in parking lots that are not designed to treat stormwater runoff. Pollutants such as dirt, soap, and oil, generated from those car washes, run off the parking lots into storm drains, and eventually flow into our surface waterways and waterbodies untreated. Almost all storm drains found along streets and sidewalks are NOT connected to the sanitary sewer systems which lead to treatment plants.The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) have teamed up to create a joint program to help charities raise money and improve New Jersey’s water quality.

Raise Money, Protect the Environment

Participating car washes will help your nonprofit organization or school, work with local, professional car washes to raise money without harming the environment. Participating car washes will offer their services at discounted rates and personally work with groups to meet their fundraising needs. Instead of holding a parking lot car wash, your organization will sell tickets at face value and receive 50 percent of all ticket sales.

How to start Fundraising:

• First, contact your participating local car wash to discuss your fundraising needs and confirm availability of offered services.
• If you have additional questions, contact CWONJ for more information.
• Get DEP’s car wash poster and the CWONJ brochure to advertise your event.