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 New Jersey Clean Communities (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. Cleanup events provide an educational opportunity to volunteers while they pick up litter so they become environmental stewards. With education, habits and acts of littering can be changed! The Cape May County Clean Communities program also offers litter education in schools, county road clean up projects, and more! Additionally, this office offers assistance to municipal clean communities coordinators and their projects.
CAPE MAY COUNTY CLEAN COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
Cape May County 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.
CLEANUPS
Help us keep Cape May County clean! A variety of volunteer opportunities are available whether you’re a resident, business, civic association, school or non-profit organization.
Guidelines for COVID-19 Litter Cleanup:
Please Note: Volunteers must adhere to the following cleanup guidelines :
- Volunteers must maintain social distance of at least 6 ft. and wear face masks when necessary;
- The number of volunteers must be limited to 10 in any one location;
- The addition of face masks, gloves, trash and recycling bags, trash pickers, safety vests and hand sanitizer must be available to volunteers.
One Day Cleanup Event – Civic groups, volunteer organizations, churches and scout troops, as well as residents and businesses, are encouraged to participate in a joint effort to clean up our streets and public properties.
Mini Grants are available to any school group or non-profit association in return for cleaning up designated public areas. Groups are eligible to receive a stipend which is dependent on the number of volunteers. Equipment and supplies are available to volunteers.
Adopt a Road groups are required to clean sections of the adopted area, and all necessary equipment such as grabbers, safety shirts, bags and gloves are provided. All groups are acknowledged with a road sign displaying their name.
Cleanup Results for 2021: Through the Cape May County mini-grant program 742 volunteers spent a total of 1619 man hours cleaning 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
For more information about the cleanup programs: Contact Pauline Northwood, Cape May County Clean Communities Coordinator, via email: pauline.northwood@co.cape-may.nj.us
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.
