Murphy administration program to help municipalities combat illegal dumping

A new initiative to help municipalities combat illegal dumping by loaning deterrence equipment and providing enforcement training was launched today by the state Department of Environmental Protection

Camden, Fairfield, Jersey City, Linden, Newark, Paterson, Salem, Secaucus, Trenton, Vernon, and Vineland are taking part in the initial launch, acting Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said today.

“Those who violate our waste laws are not just harming our environment, they are damaging the spirit of our communities,” LaTourette said.  “Dumping upon our vibrant towns and cities in effect says that our fellow New Jerseyans are somehow less deserving of natural beauty and environmental protection.”

The DEP will work with the attorney general’s office to address active dump sites in the state.

“Illegal dumping has been a chronic problem in the Capital City, and we’ll never truly achieve environmental justice for our residents unless we do everything we can to make Trenton an inhospitable place for individuals who recklessly disregard our dumping laws,” said Mayor Reed Gusciora.