Mass DEP Awards Close to $500k in Recycling Grants

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection awarded $494,100 in Recycling Grants that devote either direct funds ($365,300) for projects or in-kind technical assistance ($128,500) to 76 communities across the state.

The in-kind assistance grants, where a municipality receives a designated number of hours from a MassDEP regional municipal assistance coordinator, will target a specific recycling or waste reduction program for implementation in dozens of communities.

"By targeting specific programs, these grants encourage communities to develop local solutions and then seek assistance from the state to help bring those ideas to fruition," said MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt. "MassDEP's review of these applications shows that there are many creative ideas percolating are out there locally, and there are also several instances of regional cooperation that warrant our support."

Among the projects in which MassDEP will be providing in-kind technical assistance are: a recycling plan for schools in Medford; coordination of regional recycling collection services for six Merrimack Valley communities; and planning and evaluation for pay-as-you-throw programs in 16 communities.

The disbursal for this round of direct funding will take place over the remaining months of fiscal year 2008 ($215,300) and then, subject to funding, the remainder ($150,000) will be disbursed in fiscal year 2009.

The following list includes the city or town that will receive either an in-kind designated number of hours of technical assistance, or a direct grant award over the remaining months of fiscal year 2008 and into FY 2009.

To view the grant recipients, click on the following link.  Grant Winners