Morris County Gets More than $1.2 Million in State Clean Communities Grants

Published on May 30, 2019

All 39 Municipalities and County Govt. Receive State Grants

The state Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $21.5 million in annual Clean Communities grants statewide, including 1.24 million to Morris County and its 39 municipalities, to help finance litter cleanups that improve the quality of life in New Jersey's communities as part of its Clean Communities Program.(JPG, 10KB)

The program is funded by a legislated user-fee on manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors that produce litter-generating products.

In addition to being unsightly, litter can have detrimental impacts on water quality, wildlife and natural habitats, said DEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe. Clean Communities grants fund cleanups, many along roadsides and around stormwater collection systems, that will protect water quality and natural resources, improving the quality of life in our communities.

The nonprofit New Jersey Clean Communities Council oversees the reporting requirements for the program. Disbursements are based on housing units and miles of municipally owned roadways.

Morris County government received a grant of $101,199. The county's 39 towns split $1,138,196 in grant dollars. Top recipients are Parsippany, $115,736; Mount Olive, $69,118; Randolph, $61,487; Jefferson, $58,446; Rockaway Township, $57,540; Roxbury, $55,826; Washington Township, $55,206; Montville, $52,269; and Morris Township, $55152.

"Municipalities and counties are strongly encouraged to use these grants to pay for volunteer and paid cleanups, badly-needed equipment purchases, enforcement activities and education, said Sandy Huber, Executive Director of New Jersey Clean Communities Council. We are proud to serve as an educational resource for communities, as we drive many of our campaigns to engage the younger generations to help mold positive, long-term behaviors toward discarding litter.

(PNG, 739KB) Morris Hills High School students in a 2018 community cleanup

An example of the strength of the Clean Communities program is Morris County, where education and outreach programs reach thousands of people at schools, libraries, fairs and festivals.

Cleanup efforts targeted 127 miles of county roads and some 1,350 students and staff removed litter from more than 100 acres of public-school properties last year. In addition, the county's Mosquito Control Division removed 1,039 tires this year.

Litter comes from a variety of sources, such as pedestrians, motorists, overflowing household garbage, construction sites and uncovered trucks. Litter is often blown by the wind until it is trapped somewhere, such as along a fence, or in a ditch or gully. People tend to litter when an area is already littered, and when they lack a sense of ownership or pride in their community.

Activities funded by Clean Communities grants include cleanups of stormwater systems that can disperse trash into streams, rivers and bays; volunteer cleanups of public properties; adoption and enforcement of local anti-littering ordinances; beach cleanups; public information and education programs; and purchases of litter collection equipment such as receptacles, recycling bins, anti-litter signs and graffiti removal supplies.

For a statewide list of municipal and county grant awards, visit www.njclean.org.