Urban Cleanup Team

The Clean Communities Council officially launched a statewide Urban Cleanup Team (UCT) project in the spring of 2004 following the release of a statewide, Visual Litter Survey. The survey concluded that that the amount of litter visible on roadways in urban areas in New Jersey is significantly greater than in other areas of the state, due to dense populations. The UCT project encourages municipalities located in densely populated areas to join the “team” and work together for a cleaner New Jersey.

The first town-wide urban cleanup organized by the Clean Communities Council was the “Gateway to a Cleaner Community” cleanup, renamed in 2007 “Gateway to a Cleaner Newark.” The Gateway Cleanup was based on a model created by the state Department of Environmental Protection and the City of Trenton in 1989. Trenton’s “Litter March” attracts over 1,000 participants every year.

City of Trenton 1988-Present

Criteria for Membership:

Municipality must:

• Municipality must be located in a densely populated area where litter tends to accumulate;
• Implement a broad-based Clean Communities program involving cleanup, enforcement and education;
• Submit statistical reports in a timely fashion;
• Organize at least one community-wide volunteer cleanup at every year in conjunction with the Clean Communities Council; and
• Demonstrate the support of the mayor and other public officials.

The 2004 litter survey stated that a high-profile advertising campaign would be the best way to reduce and sustain a reduction in litter. The Clean Communities Council promoted a low budget Slam Dunk the Junk campaign that is popular in urban areas and statewide. Golden Broom Awards are a trademark of the UCT program.

City of Newark (2004-Present)

City of Paterson (2004-Present)

 
Atlantic City (2009)

 

Team Members

Asbury Park
Atlantic City
Bayonne
Camden
East Orange
Elizabeth
Hoboken
Jersey City
New Brunswick
Newark
Paterson
Perth Amboy
Plainfield
Trenton