Apply for a Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) Municipal Grant

Next steps   for Apply for a Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) Municipal Grant

1. What to Know

   MassDEP Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) Municipal Grant funding may be used to improve local recycling, composting, reuse, and household hazardous waste diversion programs.

   Cities, towns, and regional authorities are eligible to apply.

2. Available SMRP Grants

   The documents below describe SMRP grant offerings, including eligibility criteria and how funds may be used.

   • Details: Drop-off Recycling Equipment – Coming Soon!
   • Details: Food Waste Collection Programs – Coming Soon!
   • Details: Pay-As-You Throw (PAYT) Funds – Coming Soon!
   • Details: Waste Reduction / Organics Capacity / Household Hazardous Waste Facility – Coming Soon!

   Open PDF file, 296.75 KB,  Details: Recycling Dividends Program (English, PDF 296.75 KB)

   Open PDF file, 79.45 KB,  Details: Regional Small-Scale Initiatives (English, PDF 79.45 KB)

3. Learn More About Applying

   To help communities apply for SMRP Municipal Grant funds, MassDEP will hold its annual webinar on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.

   Please register in advance here.

   Please note: This year, MassDEP will be accepting questions via online form. Any question or inquiry about the grant AFTER its formal release on April 1st will need to be submitted through this process (link coming soon). The deadline to submit questions will be May 5th. Official responses to these questions will be posted to this website no later than May 12, 2025.

4. Meet Minimum Eligibility Criteria

   Before applying for SMRP funding, applicants must complete and submit a Certification of Minimum Eligibility Criteria form through Re-TRAC Connect™.  All applicants must certify that they have a "Buy Recycled" Policy in place and all purchasing staff are knowledgeable about it. Municipal applicants are required to submit a copy of the Notification of Buy Recycled Policy with their Certification of SMRP Minimum Eligibility Criteria form.

   MassDEP encourages municipalities to adopt a broader Sustainable Purchasing Policy or EPP Procurement Policy as it will be a requirement of the Spring 2026 grant cycle. More guidance about this requirement will be available prior to the next grant cycle.

   If you have questions or need help, please contact the MassDEP Municipal Assistance Coordinator (MAC) serving your part of the state.

   Open PDF file, 209.92 KB,  Certification of SMRP Minimum Eligibility Criteria (English, PDF 209.92 KB)

   Open PDF file, 72.43 KB,  Model "Buy Recycled" Policy (English, PDF 72.43 KB)

   Open PDF file, 946.39 KB,  Presentation: Notification of "Buy Recycled" Policy (English, PDF 946.39 KB)

   Webinar Playback: Buy Smart! Buy Recycled 

5. Complete & Submit a Grant Application

   Submit your application via Re-TRAC Connect™.

   Please note that MassDEP has established a Re-TRAC Connect™ account for each municipality. If you have forgotten your account login, contact Rebecca Ferguson.

   See other details below.

   APPLY ONLINE: Re-TRAC Connect™ 

6. MassDEP Reviews All Applications

   The agency spends several weeks reviewing and evaluating the applications it has received from cities, towns, and regional authorities. MassDEP announces its award decisions at the end of this process.