~~ Serving Our Community of Caring ~~
Clean Communities Program
What is Clean Communities
Clean Communities is a State-wide litter-abatement program created by the passage of the Clean Communities Act in 1986. The Act provides a funding source for the program by placing a tax on fifteen categories of businesses that may produce litter-generating products. The Act also provides guidelines on the use of funds. Statistical reports to track expenditure and program progress must be filed with the New Jersey Clean Communities Council, Inc. every grant year.
The Morris Plains Clean Communities Program
In Morris Plains, non-profit groups volunteer under the mini-grant program to participate in special litter pickups during the year. Most are done in October and April, but others are done during the summer and winter months.
Currently, almost every street in the borough is covered at least once a year through this program. Mini-grants are available for scout, church, civic organizations and sport groups willing to make a commitment to participate. Keeping Morris Plains litter free benefits everyone, and is a great source of pride.
Contact Ellie Falco, Morris Plains Clean Communities Coordinator, at 973-538-9103 for more information or even better email her at ellie.falco20@gmail.com.
New Programs for New Jersey
Recently, a ban on non-reusable plastic bags was instituted in New Jersey. On Nov. 4, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature enacted the most progressive bag ban law in the country. The law reduces litter and encourages the use of reusable bags by phasing out single-use plastic and paper bags. The law bans single-use plastic bags, regardless of thickness, at grocery and retail establishments, as well as paper bags at grocery stores at or larger than 2,500 square feet. It also bans polystyrene foam takeout food containers and other products such as plates, cups, food trays and utensils. As of November 4, 2021, plastic straws will only be available upon request.
The statewide ban on disposable bags goes into effect on May 4, 2022 and will create an effective and uniform sustainable policy for all shoppers and business owners in NJ.
KEEPING MORRIS PLAINS CLEAN CAN BE CONTAGIOUS!
LET’S TAKE THE TIME TO CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY BY PICKING UP LITTER AND PLANTING FLOWERS, TREES AND SHRUBS INSTEAD.
Litter
What is litter?
Litter takes many forms such as paper, plastics, metal cans, cigarette butts, food packaging, tires and much more.
Where does litter come from? There are many sources of litter:
-pedestrians
-motorists
-overflowing household and commercial trash containers
-loading docks
-constructions sites
-uncovered trucks
How does litter affect us?
Even small amounts of litter are unsightly, unhealthy and can be dangerous by causing the following:
-fires
-pollution
-accidents
-low morale
-diseases in people and animals
-declining tourism and industry
Why do people litter? People tend to litter when. . .
-an area already has litter
-people don’t feel a sense of community pride and ownership
-they think someone else will clean it up
What Has Morris Plains Accomplished?
In the spring of 2022 they collected over 930 pounds of trash and 270 pounds of recyclables.
In 2021, 218 volunteers collected over 1200 pounds of trash and 400 pounds of recyclables.
Some interesting finds during the cleanups were lawn chairs, hub caps, road reflectors and scrap metal. What will they find next time???
What Can you do to Help
Pick up any loose trash before it blows away!
Avoid turning your recyclables into litter on a windy day.
Use a lid to prevent the wind from blowing material out.
If your material does not fit into one container, use more than one so that loose material is not sticking out.
Flatten corrugated cardboard boxes and stack them into one unflattened box. Do not leave loose boxes on the ground.
How Trash Travels
Keep in mind that litter not only effects our immediate environment, but what happens to it over time.
See how litter travels. . .
How Long Does Litter Last?
Items That Turn Into Litter Can Last a Very Long Time!
Puzzles and Games to Download
Other Contacts for Clean Communities
New Jersey Clean Communities https://www.njclean.org
Morris County Clean Communities https://mcmua.com/sw_cc.asp
Links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Borough of Morris Plains. The Borough of Morris Plains bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
