Apply for a Recycling & Reuse Business Development Grant

Next steps for Apply for a Recycling & Reuse Business Development Grant

1. Eligible Applicants

   An applicant for funding must:

   • Be a company or corporation (for-profit or non-profit) properly licensed to do business in Massachusetts.
   • Operate a location in Massachusetts where the proposed recycling or recycling-related activity such as aggregation, processing, reclaiming or reuse will occur.
   • Recycle, aggregate, process, reclaim or reuse one or more specific eligible materials (see Eligible Projects below for a list).
   • Have been in substantial compliance with federal and state environmental laws for the past three years.
   • Provide a minimum financial match of 25 percent.

   All grants made under the RBDG program should provide a measurable economic benefit to Massachusetts.

2. Eligible Projects

   MassDEP will fund only projects that are related to the following list of eligible materials (which it reserves the right to amend between grant cycles):

   • Construction & Demolition (C&D) Materials: Projects targeting cardboard, wood, metal, or clean gypsum wallboard that will increase the process separation rate at C&D handling facilities.
   • Container Glass: Developing market outlets and uses for container glass sourced from materials recycling facilities (MRFs).
   • Food Materials: Use of source separated food scraps, with a focus on food material streams that may contain packaging or other contamination, for composting, intermediate processing to supply anaerobic digestion facilities, or similar processes. 
   • Furniture: Reuse or recycling of household, business, or institutional furniture.
   • Mattresses: Dismantling and recycling of mattresses at processing facilities.
   • Textiles: Recycling of textiles such as clothing, clean footwear, bedding, towels, curtains, and fabric into new products.  

   The agency will not consider projects to increase the recycling of materials not listed.

3. Review the Guidance

   To learn more about grant eligibility and application requirements, please read the document below.

   Open PDF file, 900.68 KB, for Recycling & Reuse Business Development Grant Guidance (PDF 900.68 KB)

4. Complete & Submit Your Application

   The application deadline for the current award cycle is April 8, 2022. MassDEP will again be accepting applications online. Follow the link below to apply.

   APPLY ONLINE: Recycling & Reuse Business Development Grants 

5. MassDEP Reviews All Applications

   The agency will evaluate:

   • The applicant's capabilities and experience;
   • The extent to which a proposed project fosters stronger local recycling markets;
   • The technical feasibility of the investment;
   • The applicant’s financial match;
   • Whether the applicant is listed among and/or commits to purchase from Commonwealth Supplier Diversity Program-certified businesses; and
   • The likelihood of success and continued sustainability of the investment after the grant.

   MassDEP may require a site visit and/or interview with top-ranked applicants as part of its evaluation. 

6. Sign a Grant Agreement with MassDEP

   If your organization is selected to receive a MassDEP Recycling Business Development Grant, it will need to sign a contract that stipulates, among other things:

   • MassDEP staff reserves the right to visit your Massachusetts location(s) during the grant period.

   • All funds for RBDG grants are distributed on a reimbursement and/or performance basis. Any purchases you make before signing the contract will not be reimbursed.

   • MassDEP will hold the final ten percent (10%) of your organization's grant funds until you have submitted a final report in an approved format to the agency.

   Other specific terms and conditions will be outlined in the grant agreement.