TRENTON, N.J. — The Sherrill administration is awarding $16.2 million in annual grants to help communities improve recycling and waste reduction programs, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced.
The grants are based on the amount of recycling each community reported in 2023, the most recent year for which data is available.
Local recycling programs may use the funding to improve recycling centers, hold household hazardous waste collection events, add public recycling receptacles, maintain leaf composting operations and support recycling education programs.
“New Jersey is a national leader in conserving natural resources through strong local recycling programs that reduce pollution, create jobs and support a multi-billion-dollar recycling industry,” said Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “These annual grants enable communities to grow and improve their programs while educating residents about the importance of recycling properly.”
The grants are funded through a $3-per-ton surcharge on trash disposed of at solid waste facilities statewide under the state’s Recycling Enhancement Act.
According to the DEP, New Jersey generated 21.7 million tons of solid waste in 2023, including municipal solid waste and non-municipal waste such as construction debris. Of that amount, 11.5 million tons were recycled, resulting in an overall recycling rate of 53%, a 1 percentage point decrease from the previous year.
The state recycled 3.4 million tons of municipal solid waste and disposed of 6.1 million tons, for a municipal solid waste recycling rate of 36%, down 2 percentage points from 2022.
DEP officials said each New Jersey resident, on average, disposed of 3.5 pounds of waste and recycled 2.1 pounds each day.
Several municipalities received grants of more than $100,000, including Newark, Jersey City, Edison, Woodbridge, Clifton, Paterson, Toms River, Lakewood, Vineland and Parsippany-Troy Hills.
In Morris County, Parsippany-Troy Hills received $134,006.
The DEP said New Jersey’s recycling industry contributes about $6 billion annually to the state economy and employs nearly 27,000 people.
Residents are encouraged to use the Recycle Coach app to check local recycling and trash collection schedules and learn what materials can be recycled in their communities.
A full list of grant awards by municipality is available through the DEP.
