New Brunswick will receive a grant of $104,226 as part of Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.) administration’s awarding of approximately $16.2 million to various communities throughout the state to aid recycling programs, according to a press release.

Shawn M. LaTourette, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), said this grant is slightly higher than the previous year and aims to further increase waste reduction across the state.

Communities will use these funds for various recycling programs, such as providing recycling bins in public areas, conducting household hazardous waste collection events and upholding leaf composting operations, according to the release.

The grants are provided through the Recycling Enhancement Act of 2008 and are funded through a $3 per ton surcharge for trash that is disposed of at solid waste facilities throughout the state.

The DEP returns the money to communities based on how much recycling they reported over the year, according to the release. The amount granted to each community this year is based on their 2019 recycling performance, which is the most recent year with available data. 

“Our state recycling grants support local waste reduction initiatives, helping to reduce local property tax burdens for New Jersey residents while improving the cleanliness of our communities,” LaTourette said. “This vital state support for our local governments helps to strengthen municipal commitment to recycling and improves the quality of life for countless New Jerseyans.”