Malden to Receive $29,000 Recycling Grant

Malden has been awarded a $29,000 recycling grant through the Sustainable Materials Recycling Program, which helps maximize recycling, composting, and waste reduction efforts.

Of the grant funding awarded to Malden, $27,000 will come via the “Recycling Dividends Program” and $2,000 will come via a “Small-Scale Initiative Grant.”

Malden’s state legislative delegation, including Sen. Jason Lewis and Representatives Paul Donato, Paul Brodeur, and Steve Ultrino, announced the grants on Thursday.

“I’m pleased to see Malden receiving this funding from the Commonwealth to support the city’s recycling efforts,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “Reducing waste is critical for our public health and environmental well-being. Our communities are well-served when state government is able to offer support to our cities and towns in this fashion.”

The Recycling Dividends Program recognizes municipalities that have implemented policies and programs proven to maximize materials reuse and recycling, as well as waste reduction. Communities that earn RDP payments must reinvest the funds in their recycling programs for things such as new recycling bins or carts, public education and outreach campaigns, collection of hard-to-recycle items, and the establishment of recycling programs in schools, municipal buildings and other public spaces.

The Small-Scale Initiative Grants are population-based grants that help municipalities purchase modest but critical recycling materials and outreach tools needed to sustain their existing recycling program or to facilitate new, low-cost initiatives. Both of these SMRP programs are administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.