Residents in Lakewood and Toms River will soon see additional funding directed toward litter cleanup, graffiti removal, and environmental maintenance after the two municipalities secured state grants through New Jersey’s Clean Communities program.
The annual grants, distributed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, are intended to help towns combat litter and improve the appearance and environmental health of local neighborhoods, parks, roads, and waterways.
Toms River received nearly $270,000 through the program, while Lakewood was awarded $171,493.
The funding can be used for a wide range of cleanup and prevention efforts, including organizing volunteer cleanup events, purchasing litter-removal equipment, clearing debris from storm drains, removing graffiti, educating residents about the environmental impact of littering, and enforcing local anti-litter ordinances.
The grants are financed through taxes on companies that produce litter-generating products, as well as fines collected from litter-related violations statewide. Under state law, award amounts are determined using a formula that takes into account each municipality’s population, housing stock, and miles of locally maintained roads.
Meanwhile, Ocean County also received a major allocation under the program, securing $254,692 for countywide cleanup initiatives — the largest county grant awarded anywhere in the state this year.