The Murphy Administration has awarded more than $27 million in annual Clean Communities grants to municipalities and counties across the state to fund litter removal programs that clean up neighborhoods, prevent trash from entering waterways and protect wildlife and their habitats, Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced today.
The grant awards were announced in conjunction with an open house event hosted by the New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC) at the Avenel Performing Arts Center. This year’s funding represents a more than $3 million increase from last year. In total, the DEP is awarding $24.3 million to eligible municipalities and $3 million to counties across the state to conduct cleanups, educate the public and enforce litter-related laws and ordinances. The grant program is funded by taxes collected from businesses that produce litter-generating products and penalties paid for litter-related violations.
“The DEP and New Jersey Clean Communities Council remain steadfast in our commitment to reduce the impacts of litter on our communities,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “The programs funded by these grants beautify our communities, protect wildlife and the health of our waterways, and reduce localized flooding caused by the clogging of stormwater systems by trash.”
NJCCC, the nonprofit organization partnered with the DEP, oversees the reporting requirements for the program. Grant awards are based on population, housing units and miles of municipally owned roadways, as prescribed by state law. “Local litter abatement programs are more important than ever as we strive to prevent roadway litter from getting into our waterways,” said JoAnn Gemenden, Executive Director of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council. “Clean Communities grants provide local governments with critical funds to help create a Litter Free NJ, allowing them to organize volunteer cleanups, purchase cleanup equipment and trash and recycling receptacles for public spaces, promote litter education initiatives, and enhance stormwater management programs.”
Municipalities (organized by county) receiving the largest grants this year are:
- Atlantic County: Atlantic City, $110,080; Egg Harbor Township, $141,013; Galloway Township, $117,996; Hamilton Township, $101,946.
- Bergen County: Hackensack City, $101,481.
- Burlington County: Evesham Township, $129,847; Mount Laurel, $116,678.
- Camden County: Cherry Hill, $198,178; Gloucester Township, $164,582; Camden, $157,316; Winslow Township, $111,642.
- Cape May County: Lower Township, $103, 996; Ocean City, $119,916.
- Cumberland County: Vineland, $174,060.
- Essex County: Bloomfield Township, $111,770; Newark City, $578,042; East Orange, $145,225; Irvington, $118,429; West Orange, $103, 915.
- Gloucester County: Monroe Township, $101, 003; Washington Township, $123,065.
- Hudson County: Jersey City, $589,711; Bayonne, $142,566; Hoboken, $129,428; Union City, $118,531; North Bergen, $116,881.
- Mercer County: Hamilton, $248,023; Trenton, $184,910.
- Middlesex County: Edison, $235,427; Woodbridge, $230,710; Old Bridge, $158,318; Monroe Township, $134,073; Piscataway, $131,656; East Brunswick, $128,292; South Brunswick, $114,482; Sayreville, $103,968.
- Monmouth County: Freehold Township, $104,713; Middletown, $200,431; Howell, $157,361; Marlboro Township, $121,537; Manalapan, $111,402.
- Morris County: Parsippany-Troy Hills, $145,146.
- Ocean County: Toms River, $289,776; Brick, $216,967; Lakewood, $185,803; Berkeley, $169,996; Jackson, $151,965; Manchester, $143,022; Stafford Township, $103,700.
- Passaic County: Paterson, $263,181; Clifton, $180,297; Wayne, $137,282; Passaic City, $104,252.
- Somerset County: Franklin, $180,255; Bridgewater, $127,935; Hillsborough Township, $126,198.
- Union County: Elizabeth, $235,289; Union Township, $124,459.
Counties receiving the largest grants are:
- Atlantic, $166,581;
- Bergen, $198,054;
- Burlington, $226,469;
- Camden, $177,710;
- Cumberland, $241,806;
- Gloucester, $185,509;
- Hunterdon, $109,091;
- Middlesex, $141,093;
- Monmouth, $169,961;
- Morris, $128,041;
- Ocean, $275,876;
- Passaic, $110,393;
- Salem, $161,035;
- Somerset, $111,475.
- Sussex, $140,514;
- Warren, $117,252.