As part of its commitment to promoting sustainability and clean communities, the Murphy Administration is awarding nearly $16.2 million in grants to communities across the state to support waste reduction and recycling programs, Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced.
The annual grant awards are based on 2021 recycling performance, the most recent year for which data is available. Municipalities must use their funds for various recycling initiatives which can include sponsoring household hazardous waste collection events, providing recycling receptacles in public places or maintaining leaf composting operations.
“Reducing, reusing and recycling solid waste remains one of the best ways the public can protect the environment each and every day,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “These grants help our municipalities strengthen their recycling programs and educate their residents on waste reduction. I strongly encourage all residents, businesses, schools, communities and organizations to recommit to recycling to preserve precious resources, divert waste from landfills and other disposal facilities, save energy and combat climate change.”
The grants are awarded through the state’s Recycling Enhancement Act and funded through a $3 per-ton surcharge on trash disposed statewide at solid waste facilities. The DEP returns that money to municipalities based upon how much recycling each community reports accomplishing during the calendar year.
Municipalities (organized by county) receiving grants of more than $100,000 for their 2021 recycling efforts:
- Bergen County: Paramus, $146,367
- Camden County: Cherry Hill, $124,357; Camden, $104,758
- Cumberland County: Vineland, $536,516
- Essex County: Newark, $360,695; East Orange, $101,348
- Gloucester County: Logan, $255,160; Swedesboro, $118,463; West Deptford, $104,023
- Hudson County: Jersey City, $347,874; Secaucus, $195,184
- Mercer County: Hamilton, $139,876
- Middlesex County: Woodbridge, $262,237; Edison, $239,039; South Brunswick, $173,701; Perth Amboy, $130,909; South Plainfield, $123,429; Old Bridge, $122,875; Cranbury, $109,556
- Monmouth County: Middletown, $133,799; Wall, $109,312
- Morris County: Parsippany-Troy Hills, $111,240
- Ocean County: Lakewood, $191,460; Toms River, $169,560; Brick, $125,503
- Passaic County: Paterson, $283,897; Clifton, $173,356; Wayne, $134,607; Passaic, $104,914
- Somerset County: Franklin, $304,412
For a complete list of grants, visit nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/stats.htm