Newark, NJ - July 17, 2009 - Mayor Cory A. Booker and Director of Neighborhood and Recreational Services Melvin Waldrop announced today that the City will step up its efforts to enforce anti-litter ordinances and urged residents to join the “Pitch In For A Beautiful Newark” campaign this summer season by keeping sidewalks clear and removing litter.

The goal of the city-wide “Pitch In for a Beautiful Newark” is to engage and empower residents in the effort to keep the City clean and free of trash. Residents are reminded of their civic duty to observe the City’s trash, litter, and recycling ordinances and to report illegal dumping or graffiti.

“We have put Newark on a course to be the most ‘green-friendly’ City in America, but we cannot succeed in our efforts without the support and cooperation of our residents. Un-swept trash, illegal dumping, and graffiti all create unsightly conditions and an unhealthy environment for our neighborhoods. I urge our residents to come together, do their part, and help make Newark cleaner and greener,” Mayor Booker said.

Residents who fail to comply with any of these requirements will face court action and will be subject to fines of up to $1,000 for each violation. Attached is a list of tips to help residents keep Newark clean and green.

Director Waldrop said. “I urge every resident to take pride in our City and be proactive. If you see graffiti, or illegal dumping in progress, please report it to the Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services. Any persons who deface Newark with their trash and graffiti will face the consequences.”

The City of Newark has numerous initiatives underway to enhance the quality of life for Newark’s residents and has made significant progress toward greening the City at large. For more information on these initiatives and how you can make a difference please contact the City of Newark’s Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

Contact: Newark Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004
PressOffice@ci.newark.nj.us



TIPS TO KEEP NEWARK CLEAN AND GREEN:


·       Keep the sidewalk and curb abutting your building or property free from obstruction, litter, and neglect of every kind, including grass and weeds.

·       Keep sidewalks, backyards, courts and alleys free from litter and other solid waste; sidewalks should be swept a minimum of twice a week, except as instructed otherwise (if the property is a business).

·       If the property is a business, sweep your sidewalk 18 inches from the curb extending into the street within 30 minutes of opening and closing for business, and between the hours of noon and 1 p.m., including weekdays and holidays (when open for business).

·       Keep litter, liquid pollutants or any similar debris out of any gutter, storm sewer, catch basin, street, or other public place. All other debris or waste must be collected and disposed of properly in a suitable receptacle, as required by City ordinance.

·       Whenever possible, store leaves in a backyard compost bin. Allow grass clipping to go back into your lawn as fertilizer. This method is preferred so as to reduce waste at the source.

·       Leaves or grass clipping must be placed in a bio-degradable paper bag, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. Do not use plastic bags. Failure to use a bio-degradable paper bag will result in fines and the leaves or grass clippings will not be collected.

·       Do not mix branches, shrub clippings, or any foreign matter into the bags with your leaves or grass clippings.

·       Do not rake leaves or grass clippings into the street. Due to state regulations or city ordinance, all leaves or grass clippings must be bagged in bio-degradable bags and placed at the curb. Failure to comply will result in fines ranging from $100 to a maximum of $1,000.

·       If a city resident is using a contracted landscaper for lawn maintenance, the landscaper is responsible for disposing of the leaves, grass clippings and debris.