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Massachusetts WasteWise Program
Waste & Recycling: Massachusetts WasteWise Program
About WasteWise

WasteWise is a voluntary program - sponsored nationally by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in Massachusetts by the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) - designed to help private and public organizations work toward reductions in solid waste and select non-hazardous industrial wastes. By participating in WasteWise, organizations not only improve their bottom line, but also the environment.

WasteWise is a flexible program that allows member organizations to set their own goals, design their own programs, and implement their own strategies to reduce waste - all in ways that are tailored to their specific needs. Participating organizations then report their results annually to EPA.

There is no fee for membership in the WasteWise program, and any organization in the United States may join. Large and small businesses from all industrial sectors are welcome to participate. Institutions such as hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, as well as state, local, and tribal governments, are also eligible. See a list of current Massachusetts members.

Waste reduction makes good business sense because it can cut your organization's purchasing and waste disposal costs. WasteWise provides free technical assistance to help you develop, implement, and measure your waste reduction activities, and publicizes members' waste reduction success stories through regional and national publications, events, and awards.

Through the WasteWise States Campaign, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) was the first state environmental agency in the country to partner with EPA in this effort. By joining WasteWise, you will be enrolled in both the national and state programs.

Waste & Recycling: Massachusetts WasteWise Program
Benefits of Joining

By joining WasteWise, your organization can:

  • Participate in local and regional forums on waste reduction and recycling
  • Gain public recognition for successful waste reduction efforts
  • Network with other WasteWise member organizations
  • Use the Massachusetts WasteWise logo to promote its environmental efforts
  • Receive technical assistance from MassDEP waste reduction and recycling experts

Benefits of the national WasteWise program

EPA web site

MassDEP Technical Assistance

MassDEP has resources available to help Massachusetts WasteWise members establish food waste composting and waste reduction programs through RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts. To learn more, call 888-254-5525 or visit the program's web site.
RecyclingWorks web site

Waste & Recycling: Massachusetts WasteWise Program
Regional Forums

MassDEP sponsors periodic free WasteWise regional forums. These networking opportunities are developed with and for WasteWise members, and are typically hosted by member organizations. Forums are designed to provide members with timely waste reduction and recycling information that can help them meet their environmental goals.

List of Past WasteWise Regional Forum Topics

RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts web site

Forums also provide an opportunity for WasteWise members to be publicly recognized for their efforts through the Massachusetts WasteWise Awards program.

Waste & Recycling: Massachusetts WasteWise Program
WasteWise Awards

MassDEP and EPA present annual leadership awards in recognition of significant waste reduction achievements by Massachusetts WasteWise member organizations.

November 2010: E.L. Harvey & Sons

MS Word 54 KB | PDF 43 KB

June 2010: Towns of Hamilton & Wenham, Suffolk University

Web page

November 2008: Millipore Corp. & Seaport Hotel

Web page

November 2007: Staples Inc. & Whole Foods Market

Web page

November 2006: Massachusetts Convention Center Authority

Web page

November 2005: Lemuel Shattuck Hospital & Raytheon Co.

MS Word 359 KB | PDF 100 KB

October 2004: Big Y Foods, Hannaford Bros., Roche Bros., Shaw's Supermarkets, Stop & Shop, Whole Foods

MS Word 121 KB | PDF 40 KB

June 2004: Consigli Construction Co.

MS Word 101 KB | PDF 37 KB

National Award Winners

EPA web site

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Waste & Recycling: Massachusetts WasteWise Program
How to Join & Learn More

Join WasteWise Now!

Signups go to EPA, but Massachusetts organizations are automatically enrolled in the state WasteWise program when they join.
Web site

Contacts for Additional Information

MassDEP: Sean Sylver
617-292-5747 or sean.sylver@state.ma.us

EPA: Janet Bowen
617-918-1795 or bowen.janet@epamail.epa.gov

List of Current Massachusetts WasteWise Members

RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts web site

Searchable Database of National WasteWise Members
Web site: EPA

back to Massachusetts WasteWise Program index

Waste & Recycling: Massachusetts WasteWise Program
Other Resources

MassDEP Waste Reduction & Recycling Assistance for Businesses

Web page

Resource Management (RM) Contracting

Sample RM Contracting Documents
Web page

Related: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WasteWise RM Contracting Page
EPA web site

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