“These 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,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “DEP is proud to join with NJCCC to announce the awards that ensure towns have the necessary tools to keep New Jersey clean.”

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.

“Local litter abatement programs are critical as we continually strive to prevent roadway litter from getting into our waterways,” said NJCCC Executive Director JoAnn Gemenden. “Clean Communities grants provide local governments with the funds they need to help create a 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.”

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 donate excess reusable bags to local food pantries, food banks and social service agencies.

The NJCCC also administers the Adopt-a-Highway and Adopt-a-Beach programs. These statewide volunteer programs support groups, organizations, businesses or individuals who wish to enhance the appearance of New Jersey’s landscape by conducting trash cleanups at specific public locations. In addition, the organization recently launched its “Be a Litter Rock Star” Slogan Contest, inviting New Jerseyans of all ages to create a catchy slogan to inspire their community to keep the state clean. Slogans can be submitted here or by going to njclean.org.

Litter comes from many sources, such as people who carelessly toss away their trash, overflowing and uncovered garbage cans, and construction sites. Litter is often dispersed by the wind and carried into stormwater collection systems where it can clog drains, causing flooding and harming wildlife by degrading the quality of the state’s surface waters.

Municipalities (organized by county) receiving the largest grants this year:

Atlantic County: Egg Harbor Township, $139,865; Galloway Township, $117,030; Atlantic City, $109,179; Hamilton Township, $101,111.

Bergen County: Hackensack City, $100,650.

Burlington County: Evesham Township, $128,784; Mount Laurel, $115,723.

Camden County: Cherry Hill, $196,556; Gloucester Township, $163,235; Camden, $156,029; Winslow Township, $110,728.

Cape May County: Ocean City, $118,935; Lower Township, $103,145.

Cumberland County: Vineland, $172,635.

Essex County: Newark, $573,312; East Orange, $144,036; Irvington, $117,460; Bloomfield Township, $110,856; West Orange, $103,065.

Gloucester County: Washington Township, $122,057; Monroe Township, $100,177.

Hudson County: Jersey City, $584,959; Bayonne, $141,400; Hoboken, $128,369; Union City, $117,562; North Bergen, $115,924.

Mercer County: Hamilton, $245,993; Trenton, $183,462.

Middlesex County: Edison, $233,500; Woodbridge, $228,821; Old Bridge, $157,022; Monroe Township, $132,975; Piscataway, $130,579; East Brunswick, $127,242; South Brunswick, $113,545; Sayreville, $103,117.

Monmouth County: Middletown, $198,790; Howell, $156,072; Marlboro Township, $120,542; Manalapan, $110,490; Freehold Township, $103,856.

Morris County: Parsippany-Troy Hills, $143,958.

Ocean County: Toms River, $287,398; Brick, $215,191; Lakewood, $184,283; Berkeley, $168,605; Jackson, $150,721; Manchester, $141,852; Stafford Township, $102,851.

Passaic County: Paterson, $261,027; Clifton, $178,821; Wayne, $136,158; Passaic City, $103,399.

Somerset County: Franklin, $178,780; Bridgewater, $126,888; Hillsborough Township, $125,165.

Union County: Elizabeth, $233,363; Union Township, $123,441.

Counties receiving the largest grants:

Atlantic, $165,216; Bergen, $196,442; Burlington, $224,626; Camden, $176,264; Cumberland, $239,838; Gloucester, $184,000; Hunterdon, $108,203; Middlesex, $139,945; Monmouth, $168,577; Morris, $126,999; Ocean, $273,576; Passaic, $109,495; Salem, $159,724; Somerset, $110,567. Sussex, $139,370; Warren, $116,297.

The complete list of municipal and county grant awards can be found at njclean.org/grant-funding/

###