Youth can POSITIVELY influence their peers to Go Green

The New Jersey Clean Communities Council and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection are pleased to announce the launch 0f our 2024 video PSA contest.   The contest theme is “Reduce Single Use” and is meant to highlight the importance of NJ’s single use plastics law and encourage the creativity of NJ’s students.  This contest challenges middle and high school students throughout NJ 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/wildlife, or provide alternatives to single use plastics.  Students can focus on ways to reduce single use plastics (plastic bottles/cups, plasticware, etc.), showcase innovative ways people are complying with NJ’s bag law (i.e. “Creative Carryout”), or suggest what next steps NJ should take 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.  A maximum of five students can collaborate and students may only participate in one entry. There will be two (2) categories broken down by age group.  Category I will consist of 7^th-9^th graders and Category II will consist of 10^th-12 graders. The top three videos in each category will be awarded cash prizes (gift cards).  First prize gets $1,000, second place receives $750, and third place earns $500.

Recognition:

Winning videos will be highlighted on our websites, njclean.org and/or litterfreenj.com, and njdep.gov and may be offered for broadcast to NJ TV and cable stations. They will also be used as part of public forums hosted by the NJ Clean Communities Council and NJDEP, and posted to social media pages for viewing by everyone.  The NJCCC reserves the right to show winning videos at public gatherings and educational events. 

The submission deadline is Monday, October 31, 2024.  Winners will be announced in conjunction with the annual NJ Clean Communities / NJ Environmental Protection Event in May of 2024.  

The NJ Clean Communities Council and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting entries for a new video PSA contest.

Entry rules, the submission form and more information can be found here.

Reduce Single Use Video PSA Contest:

In May of 2022, New Jersey’s single use plastics law went into effect and eliminated single use plastic bags throughout the state.  The law was aimed at PREVENTING LITTER by phasing out single-use plastic andpaper bags, eliminating polystyrene and making straws by request only.  The NJCCC and NJDEP want to continue to encourage garden-state residents to Reduce Single Use.

Each year, approximately eight million tons of plastic ends up in the oceans and an estimated 1 million birds, marine mammals and sea turtles die from plastics.

It is hoped that through this contest, teens become positive role models, empowering their peers to respect the environment and wildlife habitats, encourage new environmentally-conscious practices and effectuate change. 

Judging

A panel of judges will rate videos on the following:

*Creativity, originality & design              *Effectiveness of message

Contest Awards

The contest is open to students in seventh through 12th grades, and students may enter on their own or as a group.  A maximum of five students can collaborate and students may only participate in one entry.

There will be two (2) contest categories, broken down by age group.  Category I will consist of 7^th-9^th graders and Category II will consist of 10^th-12 graders.

The top three videos in each category will be awarded cash prizes (gift cards). 

Category I and II:   First prize receives $1,000

Category I and II:   Second place receives $750

Category I and II:   Third place receives $500.

Reduce Single Use Video PSA Entry Rules:

1. Create a video “commercial” no more than 1 minute (6o seconds) that will be used as a public service announcement to positively influence others to avoid single use plastics, and discourage peers from littering.
2. All work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material, including music. No professional help.
3. Films may be funny or serious, real or animated. Students may work individually or in teams of no more than 5. Students can only submit one entry.
4. Videos must be in good taste and must not contain any indecent content.
5. Videos must be submitted by uploading to 2024 Reduce Single Use Video Contest link below. Make sure you title it and include your first and last name after the title.
6. Complete the Official Entry Submission Form. Your video will not be included in the judging if you have not completed the Parent Consent form & your teacher has it on file. Video information must match your registration information!
7. Videos must be submitted by Monday, April 22, 2024. Winners will be announced in conjunction with the annual NJ Clean Communities / NJ Environmental Protection Event in May of 2024.

Questions? Please e-mail: JoAnn Gemenden at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://www.njclean.org