MONROE – Monroe has received a $94,380.34 Clean Communities grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Solid Waste Division.
Clean Communities grants are intended to help municipalities and counties across New Jersey promote volunteer and paid clean-up events, purchase equipment, support enforcement activities and education.
“Monroe Township prides itself on being a clean, welcoming community. We have a variety of programs led by our excellent Department of Public Works staff aimed at keeping our streets, open space, recreation areas and township grounds free of litter and debris,” Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro said in a prepared statement. “We launched our first township-wide litter clean up event earlier this year called Clean Sweep Monroe. The 2019 award – among the largest in the state – will allow us to continue community engagement and education initiatives to help keep Monroe looking great.”
In addition to the spring litter clean-up day, Monroe-based non-profit and community-service groups are invited to help with litter clean-up efforts throughout the year and earn as much as $500 in mini-grants for their organization. Interested organizations can register for litter patrol parties at township-approved sites by contacting Clean Communities Coordinator Joe Slomian at 732-656-4575.
“Clean Communities grants provide a vital funding for litter removal along roadsides, around storm water collection systems, in our parks, open space and other areas,” Slomain said in the statement. “Litter comes from many sources and these grants help us organize community events such as Clean Sweep Monroe while educating the public about proper trash disposal, reducing waste and the environmental impacts of litter.”