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New Jersey Clean Communities Council Offers Non-Profit Grants to Reduce Single-Use Plastics

Deadline to Apply is November 22

TRENTON – October 24, 2022 – Do you have a great idea to help reduce the amount of single-use plastics in New Jersey? If so, the New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC) wants to hear from you.

The NJCCC, a statewide non-profit litter abatement organization serving 21 counties and 558 municipalities, is rolling out a small grant program for New Jersey-based non-profit organizations to support education and outreach focused on reducing the public’s consumption of single-use plastics. Program scope can include (but is not limited to) behavioral change, “Skip the Straw” campaign support – urging residents to forgo plastic straws – litter analytics and other litter reduction initiatives.

“We are looking for creative ways to use these grant dollars to fight litter across the state,” said NJCCC Executive Director JoAnn Gemenden. “We are eager to review the proposals and invest in the type of innovative programs that can be replicated across New Jersey and beyond.”

The NJCCC, which also runs the state’s Adopt a Beach and Adopt a Highway programs, is offering grants at the $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000 level to non-profit groups in New Jersey. A total of $50,000 is available for the program.

Examples of desired programs:

  • Conducting litter surveys / collection of litter data with analytics 
  • Creating youth education programs  
  • Promoting education and implementation of the state’s single-use plastics law in overburdened communities
  • Enhancing municipal litter prevention ordinances 
  • Engaging business to enhance compliance of the single-use plastics law
  • Promoting eco-conscious items and practices, efforts to Skip the Straw, or other programs to decrease overall litter and plastic use

Note that grants will not be provided for programs related to recycling, beautification or projects that have already been completed. Applicants will be prioritized based on greatest need, measurable impact and the ability to replicate the project in other areas of the state.

The application deadline is November 22, with grant awards to be announced in December. All projects must be completed by the end of June 2023, with required documentation provided to the NJCCC by July 31, 2023.

To learn more about the grant program and download an application, visit NJclean.org.

 

Photo: Tom Page