New Jersey Clean Communities is a statewide, comprehensive, litter-abatement program created by the passage of the Clean Communities Act in 1986. The mission is to reduce litter in public places, promote the volunteer cleanup of public lands and sustain a reduction in litter through education. Since 2005, the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) has managed the program for Atlantic County.
In 2023, volunteers participating in the Atlantic County program performed 368 cleanups and removed 1,073 bags of litter, 679 bags of recycling, 37 tires from area roadways, parks and school yards. A total of 464 miles were cleaned.
Contact Program Administrator
Rebecca Turygan to learn more.
Interested Groups
Help us keep Atlantic County communities clean!
Through the Adopt-A-Road program, volunteers can adopt a county road, school yard or park. Our program includes residents, nonprofits, businesses, scouts, churches, schools and more! Groups are required to clean sections of the adopted area, and we provide all necessary equipment such as grabbers, safety shirts, bags and gloves. All groups are acknowledged with a road sign displaying their name.
The program also helps to coordinate one-day cleanups throughout Atlantic County.
Active Groups
Use the forms below to report a cleanup, request supplies and more. Post your pictures on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #CleanAtlCo or email them to Rebecca Turygan at
rturygan@acua.com.
Groups must fill out a Summary Report after each cleanup.
Need a refreshment of bags, pickers, gloves or safety vests? Fill out the form below to request supplies:
All groups must fill out the safety pledge below before receiving supplies and performing a cleanup.
As the leader representing this group, I have reviewed the
Adopt-A-Road Guidelines and the "
Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices" and have been briefed on proper safety procedures. I agree to enforce the procedures and guidelines listed and to put the safety of myself and fellow group members above all else. I understand the dangerous nature of a roadside cleanup and agree to take full responsibility for any injury or damage that might occur to me or my group members during the cleanup.
View the Adopt-A-Road Safety Brochure.
All volunteers must be 11 or older. A permission slip must be filled out for any volunteers under the age of 18:
Most groups are eligible for an annual $200 mini-grant for performing cleanups throughout the year.
Applications for 2023-2024 are now open. Deadline is April 26, 2024.
Safety should be everyone's number one priority when completing a litter cleanup.
Traffic Safety
- Be visible to motorists at all times.
- Watch for unexpected developments in traffic.
- Walk facing traffic.
- Pick up litter on one side of the highway at a time when cleaning multi-lane highways.
- All vehicles should remain on the same side of the highway as participants.
- Carpool to the cleanup site.
- Park as far away from the area to be cleaned as reasonable.
- Cleanups should be completed during daylight hours.
- Follow the “Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.”
- Observe all local laws.
Click the button below to view ACUA's full safety guidelines:
Become an ObLITTERater, and help keep Atlantic County clean! Report and monitor litter issues throughout the county, encourage businesses to adopt their properties and spread awareness on the importance of litter control. Download the app, SeeClickFix, on your phone or join the Facebook group below to report and monitor litter where you see it.
Join our Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/acoblitteraters/
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 carryout bags.
The law bans single-use plastic bags, regardless of thickness, 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. As of November 4, 2021, plastic straws will only be available upon request.
The "Litter Free 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.
For more information on the NJ Bag Ban Law, please visit:
https://www.nj.gov/dep/plastic-ban-law/
For information on Business Compliance please contact the New Jersey Business Action Center
https://business.nj.gov/recent/disposable-bag-ban
Tackling the Litter Problem
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!