Apply for a Recycling & Reuse Business Development Grant

Next steps

1. Eligible Applicants

   To apply, you must:

   • Be a company or corporation (for-profit or non-profit) properly licensed to do business in Massachusetts, including being listed with the Secretary of State’s office.
   • Manage one of the eligible materials.
   • Operate a location in Massachusetts where the proposed processing or collection activity will occur.
   • Have been in substantial compliance with federal and state environmental laws for the past three years.
   • Provide a minimum required financial match (25% for processing, 50% for collection).

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

2. Eligible Projects

   Please see the eligible materials and eligible grant funded costs in the above table, in the Review the Guidance step, and the case studies below.

   Open PDF file, 165.51 KB,  Helpsy Case Study (English, PDF 165.51 KB)

   Open PDF file, 315.53 KB,  Rockwood Ag-Grid Case Study (English, PDF 315.53 KB)

   Open PDF file, 164.7 KB,  HandUp Case Study (English, PDF 164.7 KB)

   Open PDF file, 428.7 KB,  Tommy's Compost Case Study (English, PDF 428.7 KB)

3. Review the Guidance

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

   Guidance Document (Processing)

   Guidance Document (Collection)

4. Complete & Submit Your Application

   MassDEP will be accepting applications online only. Follow the links below to apply.

   The next Application Submission Deadline will be announced in Spring 2025.

   APPLY ONLINE: RBDG Collection Grant

   APPLY ONLINE: RBDG Processing Grant

5. MassDEP Reviews All Applications

   The agency will evaluate:

   • Your capabilities and experience;
   • The extent to which your proposed project fosters stronger local recycling markets;
   • The technical feasibility of the investment;
   • The applicant’s financial match (note: proposing a match will be viewed favorably during this evaluation);
   • Whether you are listed among and/or commit 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.

   Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.  Applications cannot be revised after submission.

   RBDG contracts will be limited to 12 months for collection grants and 30 months for processing grants.

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.

   • Purchases of equipment prior to MassDEP confirming execution of a grant contract are not eligible for this grant program and will not be reimbursed.

   • For collection grants, payments will be made on a reimbursement basis, in a single payment to be made after you have documented the purchase and delivery of equipment.

   • For processing grants, payments will be reimbursed on completion of 3 tasks (Task 1 for equipment purchase, Task 2 for performance-based payment and Task 3 for final reporting).

   • You will be required to submit a summary report on the use of this equipment to MassDEP within one year of its purchase and delivery.

   If selected for award, other specific terms and conditions will be outlined in the grant agreement.