TRENTON, N.J. — The Sherrill administration has awarded more than $25 million in grants to municipalities and counties across New Jersey to support litter cleanup and prevention efforts, officials announced.
The $25.2 million in annual Clean Communities grants will fund local programs focused on removing trash, educating the public and improving environmental conditions in communities statewide.
“Nobody likes to see trash-filled roads, rivers, or parks,” said Acting DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “By partnering with the Clean Communities Council to provide this critical funding, the DEP is ensuring that municipalities and counties can keep their communities healthy and clean without bearing the costs of these initiatives alone.”
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is distributing $22.4 million to municipalities and $2.8 million to counties. The funding is generated through taxes on businesses that produce litter-generating products and penalties from litter-related violations.
Officials said the grants will be used for public education campaigns, volunteer cleanup efforts, equipment purchases, storm drain clearing, graffiti removal and enforcement of local litter laws.
The program is administered by the New Jersey Clean Communities Council, which oversees litter abatement efforts in 558 municipalities and 21 counties.
“The New Jersey Clean Communities Council is incredibly honored to continue our partnership with NJDEP to advance litter education and cleanup initiatives across the state,” said Council Executive Director JoAnn Gemenden. “Today marks the fourth anniversary of New Jersey’s single-use plastics law – a shining example of the state’s environmental leadership. Together we’ve made great strides in drastically reducing single-use plastic bags from littering our roadways and waterways, serving as a national example of how smart state policy can directly combat litter. This year’s Clean Communities funding will continue to help local governments keep their communities cleaner, greener and prouder.”
In Somerset County, municipalities receiving more than $100,000 include Franklin Township ($166,379), Bridgewater Township ($118,090) and Hillsborough Township ($116,317). In Morris County, Parsippany-Troy Hills received $133,975.
County-level grants include $103,111 for Somerset County, $108,267 for Warren County, $129,765 for Sussex County, $118,239 for Morris County and $100,722 for Hunterdon County.
Officials said the program continues to support environmental stewardship and community pride while reducing litter across the state.
A full list of grant recipients is available at njclean.org.
