Hey Kids: Join in the Second-Annual "Reduce Single Use" Video Contest
New Jersey’s youth can positively influence their peers to “Go Green”
TRENTON – February 12, 2024 – The New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC) is once again partnering with the state Department of Environmental Protection to coordinate a youth video contest, with the theme to “Reduce Single Use.” The contest is designed to encourage greater understanding of the state’s single-use plastics law, which went into effect in May 2022.
This contest challenges middle and high school students to create an original 60-second public service announcement (PSA) video, in English or in Spanish, to promote awareness of how single-use plastics contribute to litter and marine debris, harm the environment, or negatively impact marine wildlife. Students can focus on plastic bags, polystyrene or straws.
“My DEP colleagues and I are proud to join the New Jersey Clean Communities Council to partner on this youth video contest, which will further advance these successes and instill in today’s generation a lasting commitment to reducing the use of plastics much as the recycling ethic that has become instilled in their parents and grandparents as a result of New Jersey’s nation-leading recycling law,” said state Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette.
He added: “New Jersey’s nation-leading single-use plastics law has very been effective in preventing billions of bags from the supermarket sector alone from entering the waste stream or environment. We are also seeing far fewer foam containers and plastic straws during litter cleanups. All of this means cleaner communities and a healthier environment. Throughout, the New Jersey Clean Communities Council has been a critical partner, educating the public and helping residents adapt to this change.”
Students should focus on ways to reduce single use plastics (plastic bottles/cups, plasticware, etc.), showcase innovative ways people are complying with New Jersey’s bag ban law or suggest what next steps the state should undertake to reduce plastic litter.
The contest is open to students in seventh through 12th grades, and students may enter on their own or as a group.
Winning videos will be highlighted on our websites, njclean.org and/or litterfreenj.com and njdep.gov and may be offered for broadcast to New Jersey television and cable stations. They may also be used as part of public forums hosted by the NJCCC and DEP and posted to social media.
There are two categories. Category I will consist of 7th-9th graders and Category II will consist of 10th-12th graders. The top three videos in each category will be awarded cash prizes (gift cards). First prize wins $1,000, second place receives $750, and third place earns $500.
The submission deadline is Monday, April 22, 2024. Winners will be announced in conjunction with the annual NJCCC/DEP event in May when the annual Clean Communities grants are announced for counties and municipalities.
Learn more here. Questions? E-mail the NJCCC at
Click here for past winners.