Clean Communities

New Jersey Clean Communities is New Jersey's only Statewide, Comprehensive, Litter-Abatement Program

ABOUT CLEAN COMMUNITIES

NJ Clean Communities Overview
New Jersey Clean Communities is a statewide, comprehensive, litter-abatement program created by the passage of the Clean Communities Act in 1986. The mission is to reduce litter in public places, promote the volunteer cleanup of public lands and sustain a reduction in litter through education. The Act provides a funding source for the program by placing a tax on fifteen categories of businesses that may produce litter-generating products. The program focuses on three areas: cleanup, education and enforcement. For more information on the state program visit njclean.org.

Tackling the Litter Problem

What is litter? Litter is solid waste that is out of place. It's the kind of trash found on highways, lakefronts, parks and school grounds. Litter takes many forms: paper, plastics, metal cans, cigarette butts, glass, food packaging, tires and graffiti.

Where does litter come from? There are at least seven sources of litter: pedestrians, motorists, overflowing household garbage, overflowing commercial containers, loading docks, construction sites and uncovered trucks. Litter is often blown by the wind until it is trapped somewhere or goes down a storm drain.

Why do people litter? People tend to litter when they think someone else will clean up, when an area is already littered, and when they do not feel a sense of ownership or community pride.

Why is litter a problem? Even small amounts of litter are unsightly, unhealthy and dangerous. Litter causes blighted landscapes resulting in an increase in taxes and a decrease in tourism and industry; loss of civic pride and morale; and a negative public image. Litter can also cause accidents, especially on roadways, fires and disease in people and animals.

How are we solving the problem? In addition to the efforts of local governments, residents, schools, civic associations and non-profit organizations are enlisted as volunteers to help with cleanup events. At these cleanup events we offer education to volunteers while they pick up litter so they become environmental stewards. With education, acts of littering can be changed!

JACKSON TOWNSHIP CLEAN COMMUNITIES PROGRAM

Jackson Township Clean Communities program is part of a statewide strategy to clean and prevent litter on streets, beaches, waterways, parks, recreation sites and vacant lots. Clean Communities Grant funding is used for educational programs, supporting clean up events and implementing adopt-a-road and mini-grant programs.

REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING
The Problem:
"Public lands all over New Jersey are being used as dumping grounds. Litter, garbage bags, tires, televisions, electronic waste, appliances, yard waste, and construction debris are being dumped and threatening our local environment, animals and public. This dumping detracts from the natural beauty of our public lands; it decreases property value, and costs the citizens of New Jersey tax dollars to cleanup."
-NJDEP

"There's an app for that!"
The NJDEP offers a free and easy to use app that can be downloaded onto your smartphone device. Click on the link below and start reporting illegal dumping sites in New Jersey.

https://www.stopdumping.nj.gov/instructions.htm

NJDEP's “Don’t Waste our Open Space” campaign

IMPORTANT LINKS
State NJCC Website: www.njclean.org
State Bag Up NJ Website: www.bagupnj.com
NJDEP Single Use Plastics Website: https://www.nj.gov/dep/plastic-ban-law/
Sign Up for NJCC Newsletter: https://njclean.org/register-for-web-news
NJCC Certification Training: http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/courses/current/er0400ca.html

CLEANUPS

Help us keep Jackson Township clean! Volunteer opportunities are available to Jackson Based non-profit organizations.

Litter Cleanup Protocol:

Please Note: Volunteers must adhere to the following cleanup guidelines:

Volunteers organizations must be Jackson Based and non-profit
The number of volunteers must be a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10
Organizations will receive a $500 mini grant for cleaning 1 mile of roadway or a $250minigrant for ½ mile of roadway
All materials will be provided to the organization (vests, gloves, garbage bags, etc.)
Keep in mind, some roadway assignments are heavily traveled so it is recommended that small children do not participate.

Mini Grants are available to any Jackson Based non-profit organization in return for cleaning up designated public areas. Groups are eligible to receive a stipend.

Cleanup Results 500 volunteers spent a total of2000man hours in 2021cleaning litter along our roads, parks and waterways. Thank you for all your hard work that truly makes a positive impact on our community!

Safety - the safety of our volunteers is important. Please review safety protocols before conducting any cleanup programs and encourage volunteers to watch the NJCCC safety video: https://njclean.org/aag-individual-safety-video

EDUCATION

Education is communication in a more complex form. It aims to change the attitudes that cause littering. The basic premise of the New Jersey Clean Communities program is to change habits so residents do not litter, bring their own reusable bags when shopping, skip the straw, and other sustainable practices. A long-term education program will teach both residents and visitors the ramifications of littering and ways to work together to prevent litter from affecting our state.

You can visit out Clean Communities booth at our town’s events…

National Night Out
Memorial Day Parade
Fireworks and Food Trucks
Jackson Day

ENFORCEMENT

New Jersey Single Use Plastic Ban Law:

https://www.nj.gov/dep/plastic-ban-law/docs/plastic-bag-law-c117.pdf

On Nov. 4, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature enacted the most progressive bag ban law in the country. The law reduces litter and encourages the use of reusable bags by phasing out single-use carryout bags.

The law bans single-use plastic bags, regardless of thickness, at grocery stores and retail establishments, as well as paper bags at grocery stores equal to or larger than 2,500 square feet. It also bans polystyrene foam take out food containers and other products such as plates, cups, food trays and utensils. As of November 4, 2021, plastic straws will only be available upon request. The "Bag Up NJ" campaign is the New Jersey Clean Communities Council’s new single use plastic and paper bag ban outreach campaign, which has a simple message: Bring your own reusable bag(s)when you shop.