Egg Harbor Township – Rebecca Turygan of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) was recognized with the Clean Communities Coordinator of the Year Award during the 18th Annual New Jersey Clean Communities Awards reception on March 9, 2023, in Atlantic City. This award is presented to an individual who has developed and implemented a comprehensive county-wide litter abatement program and who demonstrates ongoing support of New Jersey Clean Communities.
Rebecca has served as Atlantic County’s certified Clean Communities Coordinator for 10 years. The certification program is administered by the Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education. Becoming certified involves completing the New Jersey Clean Communities Council’s (NJCCC) safety training courses and re-certifying by obtaining credit hours every two years.
Rebecca is the Program Administrator for Atlantic County’s Adopt-A-Road Program. The program provides local groups with the necessary equipment to conduct safe litter cleanups in the community, including grabbers, safety shirts, bags, gloves and more. Volunteers can adopt a county road, school yard or park. Groups are required to clean sections of the adopted area throughout the year. All groups are acknowledged with a road sign displaying their name.
In 2022, The Atlantic County Clean Communities Program performed 291 cleanups and removed 954 bags of litter, 595 bags of recycling and 32 tires from area roadways, parks and school yards. In total, 376 miles were cleaned thanks to the dedication of Atlantic County residents.
Turygan’s work as Clean Communities Coordinator also involved educating the public about New Jersey’s single-use plastic ban which went into effect in May of 2022.
“I am honored to have been recognized with this year’s County Coordinator Award”, said Clean Communities Coordinator Rebecca Turygan. “I appreciate the support from the New Jersey Clean Communities Council and look forward to continue growing Atlantic County’s program.”
Atlantic County was a big winner at the ceremony. The City of Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, and Stockton University all received awards for promoting litter abatement and organizing cleanups. Atlantic County resident Kathy Ford of the Ford Beautification Project was also recognized with the Volunteer Award for her dedication to litter cleanups completed with her husband, Chuck.
New Jersey Clean Communities is a state-wide litter abatement program. The mission is to reduce litter on public places, promote volunteer cleanup of public lands and sustain a reduction in litter through education.
For more information on the Atlantic County Clean Communities Program, please visit www.acua.com/adoptaroad.
PICTURED: From left, Rebecca Turygan, Atlantic County Clean Communities Coordinator; JoAnn Gemenden, Executive Director at New Jersey Clean Communities Council.
