Clean Communities Program

The Borough of Somerville's Clean Communities program is part of a statewide strategy to clean and prevent litter on:

• Streets
• Beaches
• Waterways
• Parks
• Recreation sites
• Vacant lots

Clean Communities grant funding is used for educational programs, supporting clean up events and implementing adopt-a-road and mini-grant programs.

Join other Somerville residents and local organizations to cleanup litter and other debris throughout the Borough's parks, brooks and other public areas. We provide work gloves, trash bags, and refreshments.

This event is on or around Earth Day every year. Check back for updates.

The Bag Up NJ campaign is the New Jersey Clean Communities Council’s new single use plastic and paper bag ban outreach campaign, which has a simple message:

Bring your own reusable bag(s) when you shop.

On Nov. 4, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature enacted the most progressive bag ban law in the country. The law bans single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and retail establishments, as well as paper bags at grocery stores equal to 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.

What is litter?

Litter is solid waste that is out of place. It's the kind of trash found on highways, lakefronts, parks and school grounds. Litter takes many forms: paper, plastics, metal cans, cigarette butts, glass, food packaging, tires and graffiti.

Where does litter come from?

There are at least seven sources of litter: pedestrians, motorists, overflowing household garbage, overflowing commercial containers, loading docks, construction sites and uncovered trucks. Litter is often blown by the wind until it is trapped somewhere or goes down a storm drain.

Why do people litter?

People tend to litter when they think someone else will clean up, when an area is already littered, and when they do not feel a sense of ownership or community pride.

Why is litter a problem?

Even small amounts of litter are unsightly, unhealthy and dangerous. Litter causes blighted landscapes resulting in an increase in taxes and a decrease in tourism and industry; loss of civic pride and morale; and a negative public image. Litter can also cause accidents, especially on roadways, fires and disease in people and animals.

How are we solving the problem?

In addition to the efforts of local governments, residents, schools, civic associations and non-profit organizations are enlisted as volunteers to help with cleanup events. At these cleanup events we offer education to volunteers while they pick up litter so they become environmental stewards. With education, acts of littering can be changed!