The Christie Administration today announced the award of nearly $16 million in Clean Communities grants to help municipalities and counties fund litter cleanup efforts that help beautify New Jersey’s communities and roadsides. It is projected that Oakland will get $20,770, Wyckoff, $28,000, and Franklin Lakes $22,000.
“This grant program is a perfect example of state, local and nonprofit partnerships working together to maximize the use of our resources to address environmental issues,” said Jane Kozinski, Assistant Commissioner for Environmental Management. “Equally important, schools, community groups, local governments and local businesses participate in the cleanups funded by these grants, boosting community spirit and civic pride.”
As established by law, the nonprofit Clean Communities Council oversees the reporting requirements for the program.
The Clean Communities grants are funded by a legislated user-fee on manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors that produce litter-generating products. Disbursements to municipalities are based on the number of housing units and miles of municipally owned roadways within each municipality. Disbursements to counties are based on the number of miles of roads each county owns.
Among the activities funded by the grants are volunteer cleanups of public properties, adoption and enforcement of local anti-littering ordinances, beach cleanups, public information and education programs, purchases of equipment used to collect litter, purchases of litter receptacles and recycling bins, purchases of anti-litter signs, purchases of supplies to remove graffiti, and cleanups of stormwater systems that can disperse trash into streams, rivers and bays.
Readers can see a list of all grants by town – just clicking here for a pdf.
Clean Communities Council Inc. is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation under contract to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to oversee grants disbursed to 559 towns and 21 counties for the implementation of litter abatement programs and to provide for a statewide program of public information and education.
Click here for fast facts about what type of funding activities are approved.
The CCC enlisted almost 600 New Jersey middle and high school students to participate their 4th Annual Environmental Student Exchange on March 22nd. The students were bussed to different areas of the Hudson River shoreline where they collected litter, trash and debris that had washed ashore. Students then attended a lunch where they discussed their experience and engaged activities furthering their environmental education.
WYCKOFF TWP 28,006.64
FRANKLIN LAKES BORO 21,935.99
OAKLAND BORO 20,770.30