$30K Awarded To Madison In Statewide Effort To Reduce Litter

MADISON, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is strengthening statewide efforts to remove litter, beautify neighborhoods and improve water quality by awarding $21.4 million in Clean Communities grants this year.

Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced this week that the total amount given is an approximate $700,000 increase over the disbursement in 2021.

Madison will be allocated $30,437 for 2022.

“The DEP is thrilled that we are able to distribute additional grant funds this year to help communities improve their local environments and improve quality of life by removing litter, including from roadways and around stormwater collection systems,” LaTourette said. “These community-level efforts have far-reaching impacts across the state, from beautifying neighborhoods to improving water quality and enhancing wildlife habitats.”

The program's reporting requirements are overseen by the nonprofit New Jersey Clean Communities Council. Disbursements are based on the number of housing units and the number of miles of municipally owned roadways.

Volunteer litter cleanups, litter-related education, and cleanups of stormwater systems that can disperse trash into streams, rivers and bays are among the activities funded by Clean Communities grants.

Other activities include volunteer cleanups of public properties, adoption and enforcement of local anti-littering ordinances, public information and education programs, recycling bins and graffiti removal.

“Municipalities and counties are strongly encouraged to use these grants to organize volunteer cleanups, pay employees to pick up litter, purchase badly needed cleanup equipment and promote educational activities and enforcement,” said JoAnn Gemenden, Executive Director of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council. “We are grateful for the funding that helps keep New Jersey litter-free."