The Healey-Driscoll听Administration announced over $1.8 million in grants through the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection鈥檚 (MassDEP) Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program. The funding will support 21 companies across the state that are dedicated to enhancing reuse, recycling or composting initiatives. These grants enable waste reduction companies in Massachusetts to expand their collection and processing capabilities.
鈥淢assachusetts is taking action on waste reduction with smart solutions,鈥� said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. 鈥淲e are investing in reuse, recycling, and composting. This cuts waste and sets the stage for responsible resource management.鈥�
MassDEP鈥檚 RBDG Program includes collection and processing grants designed to invest in businesses that maximize the recovery of valuable materials and resources. The program听will provide听$565,000 to 10 businesses to improve their recycling collection for materials prohibited from disposal, including mattresses, textiles and commercial food waste.听Over $1.2 million will go to support 11 businesses in听stating or expanding reuse, recycling, or composting operations.
鈥淚nvesting in waste diversion is a powerful and important strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions,鈥澨齭aid MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. 鈥淏y supporting businesses and projects that extend material life and reduce new resource demand, Massachusetts is building a sustainable infrastructure that will significantly cut carbon emissions, equivalent to removing 1.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.鈥�
The RBDG Program requires companies that receive grants to create measurable economic benefits for Massachusetts. They must also use the grant-funded equipment only for collecting or processing specific materials in the state for at least three years. RBDG collection grants are available for projects that collect certain materials, including surplus food for donation, food waste for animal feed, composting, or anaerobic digestion, as well as mattresses and textiles. The processing grants support projects that reuse or process certain materials, such as container glass, bulky reusable items, construction and demolition materials, textiles, food, and mattresses.
The RBDG collection grant recipients are:
- BINcentives, LLC (Worcester) 鈥� up to $40,000
- Bootstrap Compost, Inc. (Everett) 鈥� up to $60,000
- Boston Area Gleaners, Inc. (Acton) 鈥� up to $60,000
- CERO Cooperative, Inc. (Boston) 鈥� up to $90,000
- Commonwealth Sustainability LLC (Ludlow) 鈥� up to $25,000
- Hartsprings Foundation, Inc. (West Springfield) 鈥� up to $60,000
- J&T Recycling dba Clothes Bin (Fall River) 鈥� up to $50,000
- NEMA LLC (Boston) 鈥� up to $80,000
- Spoonfuls (Newton) 鈥� up to $50,000
- Tommy鈥檚 Compost Service (Cheshire) 鈥� up to $50,000
The RBDG processing grant recipients are:
- 2M Resources Corp. (Hopedale) 鈥� up to $200,000
- American Retroworks, Inc. dba Good Point Recycling (Brockton) 鈥� up to $70,000
- Bay State Textiles, Inc. (Kingston) 鈥� up to $150,000
- Boston Building Materials Co-op (Boston) 鈥� up to $60,000
- Dream Green Recycling of the Berkshires (Adams) 鈥� up to $150,000
- Recirclable LLC (Arlington) 鈥� up to $70,000
- Recolor Paints LLC (Hanover) 鈥� up to $33,000
- Re:Dish Co. (Hyde Park) 鈥� up to $150,000
- Second Chance Composting (Cheshire) 鈥� up to $100,000
- Smart Feed Tech, Inc. dba Bright Feeds (Oxford) 鈥� up to $80,000
- Tough Stuff Recycling LLC (Fitchburg) 鈥� up to $200,000
鈥淭hese grants are a critical piece of our long-term sustainability goals,鈥� said State Senator John J. Cronin (D – Fitchburg). 鈥淚’m encouraged by the state’s commitment to support businesses that are leading efforts to reduce waste and am excited for the impact this funding will have here in North Central and across the Commonwealth.鈥�
鈥淚 am pleased to learn that three companies in the Northern Berkshires receive funding through MassDEP鈥檚 Recycling Business Development Grant Program,鈥� said State Representative John Barrett III (D-North Adams). 鈥淭his funding will expand their recycling and composting efforts, helping advance a more sustainable future in Berkshire County and across Massachusetts.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 thankful for the partnership of MassDEP in acknowledging the critical importance of waste reduction and recycling in Fitchburg,鈥� said State Representative Michael P. Kushmerek (D-Fitchburg). 鈥淭ough Stuff Recycling is a valuable resource for our district, and the funding provided through this grant will play a significant role in improving proper waste management and disposal.鈥�