Scotch Plains Awarded a $47,691 Clean Communities Grant from DEP

SCOTCH PLAINS – June 1, 2022 – Scotch Plains will be receiving a $47,691 Clean Communities grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Solid Waste Division.   

Clean Communities grants help municipalities and counties across New Jersey promote volunteer and paid clean-up events, purchase equipment, support enforcement activities and educational opportunities.     

“The Township Council and I are always looking for ways to push Scotch Plains toward a cleaner, greener future,” said Mayor Josh Losardo. “Our Department of Public Works conducts numerous programs aimed at keeping our town litter-free throughout the year. It is through programs like Clean Communities that we are able to keep our streets, open space, recreation areas and township grounds clear of litter and debris.”

This year’s grant is a slight increase from 2021, when Scotch Plains received $46,972.

“We work closely with Scotch Plains to ensure that state funds are continually maximized to develop and implement anti-litter education and programming in the township, as well as to coordinate local clean-ups,” said JoAnn Gemenden, executive director, New Jersey Clean Communities Council.   “We are confident that Scotch Plains will use the funding this year in a smart, strategic way to further expand the Clean Communities mission.”

Through the grant program, the NJDEP awarded nearly $19.1 million to eligible municipalities and $2.3 million to counties across the state, basing its allocations on statistical reports that outline the number of housing units and municipally-owned roadway mileage in a respective area. 

Grants are funded by a legislated user-fee on manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors that produce litter-generating products.  The state’s allotment is an increase of $700,000 from last year.

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