Needham Gets Recycling, Waste Reduction Assistance Grant

The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced more than $1.4 million in Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) grants to 216 municipalities and regional solid waste districts to help maximize recycling, composting and waste reduction programs.

Chelmsford received $1,500 in from the Small Scale Initiative grant fund to put toward town efforts.

“Some of the most important environmental protection work happens every day in communities across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “With this assistance, we are ensuring that local officials, residents and small business owners can continue to protect our neighborhoods and natural resources.”

“Recycling and waste reductions efforts are critical to our goal of reducing the waste stream,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito in the announcement. “These grants bring much needed assistance to municipalities that struggle to educate residents about why recycling can make a difference in their communities and bottom line.”

Out of 216 awardees, 137 communities qualified for the SMRP’s “Recycling Dividends Program” (RDP) and will receive payments ranging from $1,200 to $66,000, for a total of $1.18 million statewide. The RDP, according to an announcement, 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 Baker-Polito Administration is committed to reducing trash disposal by 30 percent below 2010 levels, which is about 2 million tons per year.” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton in a statement. “Every ton of material that is recycled instead of disposed as trash puts resources back into the Massachusetts economy and supports local businesses throughout the collection, processing and manufacturing chain. The RDP helps communities leverage the benefits of increased recycling for a healthier economy and environment.”

As part of the SMRP, all 210 municipalities that also applied for “Small-Scale Initiative Grants” were awarded funding. These population-based grants range from $500 to $2,000 each and help communities 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).