{"id":21309,"date":"2020-10-28T13:37:25","date_gmt":"2020-10-28T17:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/framinghamsource.com\/?p=21309"},"modified":"2020-10-28T14:23:25","modified_gmt":"2020-10-28T18:23:25","slug":"baker-polito-administration-awards-3-2-million-to-support-recycling-waste-reduction-in-municipalities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/framinghamsource.com\/index.php\/2020\/10\/28\/baker-polito-administration-awards-3-2-million-to-support-recycling-waste-reduction-in-municipalities\/","title":{"rendered":"Baker-Polito Administration Awards $3.2 Million to Support Recycling, Waste Reduction in Municipalities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The following is a press release from the Baker-Politio administration.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

BOSTON \u2013 The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $3.2 million in grant funding to 269 municipalities and regional solid waste districts through the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP). The grants will help communities across the Commonwealth maximize their recycling, composting and waste reduction programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Framingham, Ashland, Natick, Marlborough, Holliston, and Sudbury all received grants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome of the most important environmental protection work happens every day in communities throughout Massachusetts through local recycling and solid waste programs,\u201d\u00a0said Governor Charlie Baker. \u201cWith this assistance, we are ensuring that local officials, residents and small business owners can continue protecting the Commonwealth\u2019s neighborhoods and natural resources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[broadstreet zone=”51611″]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnder the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program, municipalities and solid waste districts are working even harder to improve recycling programs and reduce waste, which has resulted in a seven percent increase in funding over last year,\u201d\u00a0said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.\u00a0\u201cWith these grants, our administration and our local partners are making a difference in communities across the Commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under SMRP, 227\u00a0communities qualified for the Recycling Dividends Program (RDP) and will receive payments ranging from $2,450 to $97,500. The RDP 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMassachusetts\u2019 commitment to sustainable practices is one of the reasons our quality of life is so high here,\u201d\u00a0said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).\u00a0\u201cI am thrilled that so many communities in my district and across the Commonwealth have shown success in their recycling programs and will receive additional resources to continue investing in that success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[broadstreet zone=”70106″]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Baker-Polito Administration is currently working to finalize the Commonwealth\u2019s Solid Waste Master Plan for the next decade, which will establish aggressive goals to reduce our waste disposal and increase recycling,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. \u201cWe are pleased to offer this assistance to help communities cycle resources back into our economy and support local businesses throughout the collection, processing and manufacturing chain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of this SMRP grant round, 42 municipalities that did not apply for or qualify for an RDP payment will be awarded a total of $45,250 for a Small-Scale Initiatives Grant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of these SMRP programs are administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n