Annually, the Murphy administration awards grants to communities across New Jersey to reduce waste and promote recycling. The grants are funded by the Recycling Enhancement Act with a $3 per-ton surcharge on trash disposed statewide at solid waste facilities. Some 60% of that money is returned to municipalities based on how much each recycles. In 2020, New Jersey generated around 21 million tons of solid waste. Over 11.5 million tons of that was recycled. 

Some municipalities received grants of over $100,000 in 2020 for their recycling efforts. Vineland saw over $475,000, Jersey City received more than $319,000 and Newark more than $264,000. According to the state Department of Environmental Protection, municipalities must use the grants for initiatives such as providing more recycling receptacles in public spaces, managing leaf compost and sponsoring hazardous waste collection events.