New Jersey groups say litter-free campaign is cutting plastic-bag litter

Representatives of the statewide Litter-Free New Jersey campaign told attendees that local cleanups are producing fewer plastic bags and credited coordinated education and cleanup efforts.

"I'm Linda Dohy of the New Jersey Food Council and of course we support the statewide litter-free New Jersey campaign," said Linda Dohy. Chris Fintel, assistant commissioner of operations for the Department of Transportation, added, "we have litter programs and we take it very seriously." The borough's clean communities coordinator described municipal education work in her town.

Speakers representing the Community Collaborative Initiative said their cleanup experience shows measurable change. "From our experience through a lot of cleanups for our cities, we're noticing a big difference in not seeing as many plastic bags," said Corey V, who spoke with Vince Caliguire. The remarks were delivered as part of a public recognition of volunteers and award recipients.

A member of the campaign's board praised volunteers and singled out individual contributors. The board member said the work was "well deserved," and offered a light-hearted nod to culture: recalling the Wall Street line "Greed is good," the speaker said, "now we say green is good."

Organizers emphasized volunteer-led cleanups and local education as driving improvements but did not provide detailed, quantifiable statewide litter metrics at the event. No motions or formal agency actions were proposed or recorded during this segment. The session closed with musical accompaniment and thanks to volunteers and award recipients.