New Brunswick Awarded $81,847 Clean Communities Grant

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (May 11, 2026) - New Brunswick will be receiving an $81,847 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 City Council and I are always looking for ways to move New Brunswick toward a cleaner, greener future," said Mayor Jim Cahill. "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 City streets clear of litter and debris."

City officials attended an event at Kean University on May 4, in which municipal leaders around the state were presented with ceremonial checks from the New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC).

"New Brunswick has consistently been one of the top cities in the state in regards to fighting litter," said NJCCC Executive Director JoAnn Gemenden.

"We work closely with New Brunswick to ensure that state funds are continually maximized to develop and implement anti-litter education and programming throughout the City, as well as to coordinate local clean-ups," she said. "We are confident that New Brunswick will use the funding this year in a smart, strategic way to further expand the Clean Communities mission."

In total, the NJDEP is awarding $22.4 million to eligible municipalities and $2.8 million to counties across the state to conduct cleanups, educate the public and enforce litter-related laws and ordinances. Allocations on based 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.