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Clean Communities
Resources
Find your municipal Clean Communities Coordinator, go to MCMUA Contacts Finder
For a printable list of your municipal coordinator, click here
Want to stay updated for NJ Clean Communities Information? Sign up for NJ Clean updates here
Want to borrow Clear Stream containers? Click here
What is the Clean Communities Program?
The Clean Communities Program was created as a statewide effort to reduce litter in our recreational and residential sites. The goals of this program are to
- Organize litter cleanups
- Improve public education
- Ordinance enforcement surrounding litter prevention
NJ funds this program through a user fee on 15 kinds of litter Created in 1986, the Clean Communities Act allows NJ to fund the program by putting a tax on 15 categories of businesses that can produce litter.
To learn more, check out Program Overview | New Jersey Clean Communities
County & State Efforts
NJDEP’s “Don’t Waste our Open Space” Campaign
In March 2014, The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced its “Don’t Waste our Open Space” campaign. The program works to educate the public on the State’s efforts to stop illegal dumping on public lands. By doing so, property values will increase and will improve the natural beauty of public lands.
County Road Clean-Ups
Morris County currently partners with adopt-a-highway to organize county road cleanups. To be involved with community litter cleanup volunteer events, contact your local municipality for more information, or to set up your own litter cleanup event!
Litter Education Programs
Morris County currently provides mini-grants for communities to participate and learn about litter abatement. These mini-grants includes: school litter clean-ups and community presentations.
Litter Themed Art Contest
Morris County currently sponsors litter themed art contests throughout the county to spread awareness and educate students on litter abatement efforts.
Clear Streams
MCMUA can loan “Clear Stream” recycling and trash containers to your organization for your next public event at no cost to help prevent litter at outdoor events! These containers are easy to transport and set up, they are designed with restricted openings and clear bags that make them easy for people to use and understand where their waste should go.
Adopt a Catch Basin
To combat clogged storm drain systems from debris, the Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) and the Nature conservancy (TNC) are working together to launch the “Adopt a Catch basin” program.
Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program
The Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program is a statewide program that works to limit the amount of pollutants in stormwater runoff. The NJDEP gives four general permits to different municipalities and agencies, each of which have their own requirements for that organization to follow.
NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program
The NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program is run by the NJDEP, with the goal of monitoring stream health and promoting watershed stewardship with the help of their Watershed Ambassadors.
Additional Clean Communities Programs: Microsoft Word – 2024 CC list of programs (presenters) for website
What is Litter?
Litter is garbage or trash that is out of place. It’s found on our streets, highways, lakefronts, parks and school grounds. Litter can be from many different materials, like paper, plastics, metal cans, cigarette butts, food packaging, and tires.
·Cars
·People
·Overflowing garbage cans
·Construction sites
·Loading docks
·Wind blowing garbage away
·Fires
·Pollution
·Accidents
·Diseases
·Declining tourism or industry
·Low morale
·If there is already litter
·If they don’t have a sense of ownership or community
·If they think someone else will clean it up
How Can We Clean Up Litter?
There are lots of ways that we can clean up litter and stop it from being created. You can…
- Use a lid to avoid wind from blowing trash away
- Use the right sized or multiple containers
- Flatten boxes to put into containers instead of leaving them out
- Organize a cleanup day through your municipality
- Purchase anti-litter signs for your town
- Sponsor contests in schools
- Help the elderly or disabled clean up their yards
- Raise awareness with a public education campaign
- Donate trash containers to the town
- Empty containers regularly
- Find the worst spots that have litter with a survey
- Publicize town and county efforts in the media
Clean can be contagious!
Let’s take the time to care for our communities,
to pick up litter and plant flowers, trees and shrubs!
What is a Municipal Clean Communities Coordinator?
Following the guidelines of this program, each municipality must hire a Clean Communities Coordinator (CCC) to act as the main point of contact between the municipality, and the Clean Communities Council and County Clean Communities Coordinator.
The CCC oversees the implementation of a comprehensive program that includes litter abatement, education, and enforcement within their municipalities while following grant guidelines.
For residents interested in getting involved with volunteer litter cleanups, contact your local municipalities or CCC for further information.
For questions, please email the Morris County Clean Communities Coordinator at mchavanne@co.morris.nj.us.
