Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Department of Environmental Protection has opened its annual application season for its Sustainable Materials Recovery Program, which provides grants to municipalities and other regional entities for recycling, composting and other waste reduction activities that support the state’s Solid Waste Master Plan.
Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grants provide funding in nine categories:
• Mattress recycling incentive program
• Pay-As-You-Throw assistance
• Education and enforcement coordinator
• Recycling and food waste collection carts
• Recycling drop-off containers
• School recycling assistance
• Small-scale initiatives
• Organics capacity/waste reduction projects
• The Recycling Dividends program
In 2019, the DEP awarded more than $6.6 million in recycling-related grants to 268 municipalities and regional entities through the SMRP.
The grant program was created under the Green Communities Act and DEP regulations (310 CMR 19.300), and it is funded by the Waste Energy Credits Expendable Trust, also created under the Green Communities Act.
The application deadline for SMRP grants is currently June 10 but may be extended by the DEP if necessary. Applications must be filled out online.
For more information about program eligibility and for detailed application instructions, visit www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-sustainable-materials-recovery-program-smrp-municipal-grant.