• Place litter in trash receptacles.

• Cigerette butts are worse offender with4.5 Trillion littered each year!

• Recycle. Recycle. Recycle.

• Participate in community and locally sponsored litter pick up programs.

• Never place any litter, pet waste, or dispose of any waste or oil product into a storm drain inlet.  Storm drain inlets collect stormwater runoff that eventually discharges into our local streams and rivers.

• Do not feed wildlife, such as ducks and geese, in public areas.

• Many municipalities prohibit wildlife feeding in these areas.

• Dispose of the wrapped pet waste in the trash. Use dog bags, newspaper, or pooper-scoopers to pick up wastes.

• Dispose of the unwrapped pet waste in a toilet. Do not flush bags, debris, or nonbiodegradable items.

• Never discard pet waste in a storm drain. Storm drain inlets collect stormwater runoff that eventually discharges into our local streams and rivers.

Your local municipality has adopted and enforces an ordinance that requires immediate and proper disposal of solid pet waste deposited on any property not owned or possessed by the pet owner or keeper. Contact your local municipality or their webpage for details.

• Pet waste is carried by rain, melting snow, and ice to storm drains that empty into rivers, lakes, and the ocean. It also reaches reservoirs which supply much of the drinking water in New Jersey. 

• Pollution due to pet waste negatively impacts swimming, boating and fishing in these water bodies. 

• Pet waste contains microorganisms that can cause bacterial diseases, roundworms and parasitic infections. 

• In addition, pet waste contains harmful levels of nutrients which promote excessive algae and plant growth. This can rob the waterbody of oxygen, potentially killing all aquatic life in the area. Such nutrient pollution also causes waters to become cloudy and green.

• Do a soil test to see if you need a fertilizer.

• Keep your property or yard in a natural state with trees and other native vegetation that requires little or no fertilizer.

• Look into alternatives for pesticides.

• If you use fertilizers and pesticides, follow the instructions on the label to correctly apply it.

• Do not apply if heavy rain is predicted.

• Make sure you properly store or discard any unused portions. You may also visit our Household Hazardous Waste Days.

• Never place any litter, pet waste, or dispose of any waste or oil product into a storm drain inlet.  Storm drain inlets collect stormwater runoff that eventually discharges into our local streams and rivers.

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  Fertilizers: contain nitrates and phosphates that cause blooms of algae which may kill fish. 

• Pesticides: Many are toxic to humans, animals, aquatic organisms and plants. Use alternatives whenever possible. 

• This includes household or commercial cleaning products, lawn and garden care products, motor oil, antifreeze, and paints.

• If you have hazardous products in your home, make sure you store or dispose of them properly. Read the label for guidance.

• Use natural or less toxic alternatives.

• Recycle used motor oil. Keep motor oil residue off grass and streets. Clean all spills. 

• Do not pour anything down a storm drain!

• Contact your municipality, county or facility management office for the locations of hazardous-waste disposal facilities.

• Wash your car only when necessary. Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles its wash water. Like fertilizers, many car detergents contain phosphate. If you wash your car at home, use a non-phosphate detergent.

• Don’t blow leaves and grass into the street or storm drains.

• Use leaves and grass clippings as compost.

• Use a mulching mower that recycles grass clippings into the lawn.

• Follow your municipal yard waste collection guidelines or call if you don’t know them.

• Visit our Recycling Division for more information under Composting or Yard Waste.

• A malfunctioning septic system can contaminate ground water and create public health problems.

• Avoid adding unnecessary grease, household hazardous products and solids to your septic system.

• Inspect your tank annually and pump it out every three to five years depending on its use.

• Do not let sewage or other wastes flow into a stormwater system.

• Stormwater and Salt: When it snows or freezes, salt is often applied to sidewalks and roads to melt ice and snow. However, this salt dissolves in the water and is carried away by stormwater runoff. 

• Environmental Impact: The salty stormwater flows into storm drains, which typically empty into local waterways without treatment. This can lead to elevated salt concentrations in rivers and streams, harming aquatic life and potentially affecting drinking water sources.  

• Infrastructure Damage: Salt can also corrode metal and concrete, damaging roads, bridges, and vehicles.

• Responsible Salt Use: To minimize the environmental impact and damage, it's important to use salt responsibly:

1. Shovel first: Remove as much snow and ice as possible before applying salt.
2. Use the right amount: A general guideline is to use no more than 1-1.5 cups of salt per 10 sidewalk squares or 2 parking spaces. 
3. Scatter salt: Ensure salt granules are spaced about 3 inches apart. 
4. Consider temperature: Salt is less effective at lower temperatures. Consider using alternatives like sand or other de-icers when temperatures drop below 15°F, according to the National Weather Service. 
5. Check forecast: If it's predicted to be sunny and over 32°F, then ice may melt or be easier to remove after a few hours. 
6. Sweep up excess: If you over-salt, sweep up the excess salt and reuse it later. 
7. Alternatives to salt: Consider using sand, gravel, or other traction-enhancing materials, especially when temperatures are very low.