New Jersey Clean Communities Council Honors the Delaware River and Bay Authority with the 2025 “Excellence in Education” Award

DRBA Recognized for its Annual World Environment Day


 

TRENTON – October 14, 2025 – The New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC), which runs the state’s litter abatement program, has honored the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) with the 2025 “Excellence in Education” Award, recognizing the bi-state agency for its “2025 annual World Environment Day” held June 5. 

DRBA representatives accepted the statewide award at the 20th annual Clean Communities Expo and Awards Celebration held Oct. 8 in Somerset, New Jersey.

The fourth-annual event at Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, DE had record attendance, a diverse array of exhibits, and a commitment to the United Nation’s theme: "Beat Plastic Pollution." For four hours, the park was bustling with activity, demonstrating the community's growing interest in environmental issues.

“DRBA appreciates this recognition by the NJ Clean Communities Council,” said Silvana Dominioni, director of Environmental, Health & Safety for the DRBA. “Beyond just running our bridges, ferries, and airports, we want to showcase our sincere commitment to environmental initiatives, environmental education and sustainability and our World Environment Day event has been that vehicle.”

As attendees walked into the event, they received a reusable bag, a direct nod to the 'no plastic' message. While some food items served still required individual plastic packaging for sanitary reasons, many vendors at the event offered non-plastic alternatives.

The hope of DRBA was for people to realize how easy it is to make small changes to reduce plastic, understanding that little bits from many people add up and importance of reducing plastic associated litter and waste, Dominioni said.

The event included 85 exhibitors and 1,800 attendees, including 200 students and teachers from ACIT in Atlantic County.  NJ Clean Community Coordinators from Salem, Atlantic, Cumberland and Cape May counties exhibited at the event to promote litter abatement messages.

“Through partnerships with the NJDEP, the EPA, and local environmental groups including the New Jersey Clean Communities Council, the event sparked meaningful conversations, inspired young people, and strengthened community action,” said NJCCC Executive Director JoAnn Gemenden. “It was a pleasure to celebrate the ongoing work of the DRBA.”

Learn more at NJClean.org

Photo:  (L-R) John Wohlrab, Vice Chair of the NJCCC Board of Trustees; Danielle Miller, Environmental Health & Safety Associate for DRBA; Albert Fralinger, Environmental Health & Safety Manager for DRBA and Linda Doherty, President NJCCC Board of Trustees and President & CEO of the New Jersey Food Council