Massachusetts Associations Launch Recycling Initiative

Initiative will run for two years.

The Massachusetts Beverage Association (MBA) and the Massachusetts Food Association (MFA) have announced plans to launch a two-year initiative aimed at increasing recycling throughout the state.

Called the Massachusetts Recycling Challenge, the program aims to build upon past investments in recycling in the state and has been designed to enhance residential recycling programs while increasing the presence of "on-the-go" receptacles to encourage recycling in public places.

"While Massachusetts has built up its infrastructure for recycling over the past several years, there is still much work to be done as far as increasing our state's recycling rate," says Chris Flynn, president of the MFA and spokesman for Real Recycling for Massachusetts – a coalition of citizens, businesses and community organizations that support a comprehensive approach to recycling. "Our industry is committed to playing a leading role in increasing recycling in our state, and we believe this initiative can set the stage for meaningful progress."

Through the challenge, pilot programs will be established to help communities improve recycling rates. As part of the program, a nonprofit organization will engage consultants to provide technical advice to targeted communities looking to institute "pay as you throw" programs. In addition, the organization will purchase about 200 on-the-go recycling receptacles to be deployed in high visibility locations in target communities.

"Legislative leaders in Massachusetts have spoken clearly that they want a comprehensive approach to recycling across the commonwealth, and they are looking for a commitment from our industry to help lead the way," says Chris Crowley, executive vice president of Polar Beverages in Worcester and chair of the MBA. "That's a challenge we embrace and through the Massachusetts Recycling Challenge we hope motivated communities will see the opportunity to make a difference."

The two-year, $533,000 pilot program will be implemented in 2013 and 2014. The pay-as-you-throw program will begin with free workshops and include technical resources and advice to 15 to 20 communities in each of those two years. Through the challenge, experts will provide technical assistance to five communities selected each year of the program.

The public space initiative to place on-the-go recycling receptacles will fund the purchase of about 100 receptacles in each of the two program years. The initiative will fund technical support on receptacle siting, communications, and documentation of results and will include in-kind, promotional support from beverage companies and food retailers.

Get curated news on YOUR industry.

Enter your email to receive our newsletters.

Loading...