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.

   SMRP funding is currently available for Small-Scale Initiative grants and Recycling Dividends Program payments to qualifying cities and towns.

2. Review the Application Guidelines

   The document below provides critical information on SMRP Municipal Grants including eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, and how grant funds may be used.

   Open PDF file, 844 KB, for SMRP Municipal Grant Application Guidelines (PDF 844 KB)

3. Learn More About SMRP Grants

   MassDEP held a 90-minute informational webinar for communities interested in applying for SMRP Small-Scale Initiative grants and/or Recycling Dividends Program payments on June 3, 2021. 

   If you were unable to participate in that session and would like to view the video playback, download the presentation or both, follow the links below.

   Open PDF file, 1.57 MB, for Presentation: 2021 SMRP & RDP Grants Webinar (PDF 1.57 MB)

   Video Playback: 2021 SMRP & RDP Grants Webinar 

4. Meet Minimum Eligibility Criteria

   • Applicants must certify that they have "buy recycled" by-laws, ordinances or policies in place; indicate whether their purchasing function is centralized or decentralized; certify that everyone with purchasing authority is aware of the "buy recycled" requirement and reminded of it annually; and attach a copy of this communication, which should explain the benefits of buying products with recycled content. See below for examples of qualifying "buy recycled" notifications and a model policy.
   • Before submitting a grant application, municipal applicants must have completed MassDEP Municipal Recycling & Solid Waste Surveys for calendar years 2018 and 2019 at Re-TRAC Connect™. Regional and non-profit applicants must certify that each municipality to be served by the grant proposal has filed these documents.
   • Please note that MassDEP has established a Re-TRAC Connect™ account for each municipality. If you have forgotten your account login, contact Cathy Doodnauth.
   • Municipal applicants with unspent Recycling Dividends Program (RDP) funds or who were awarded in the previous calendar year must report prior year expenditures and RDP Funds balances via Re-TRAC Connect™.
   • Municipal applicants must certify that they have active recycling programs that provide recycling containers for paper, cans and bottles in all offices and meeting spaces in all municipal buildings. All other applicants are required to certify that they have active programs providing for office recycling of paper, cans and bottles.

   See below for "Buy Recycled" policy resources.

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

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

   Open PDF file, 129.46 KB, for Ipswich "Buy Recycled" Notification (PDF 129.46 KB)

   Open PDF file, 63.5 KB, for Reading "Buy Recycled" Notification (PDF 63.5 KB)

   Open PDF file, 171.9 KB, for Rockport "Buy Recycled" Notification (PDF 171.9 KB)

   Webinar Playback: Buy Smart! Buy Recycled 

5. Complete & Submit a Grant Application

   • The application period for the 2021 grant cycle has closed.
   • Applications must be submitted electronically via Re-TRAC Connect™, an online reporting tool. MassDEP does not accept applications in any other format.
   • Please note that MassDEP has established a Re-TRAC Connect™ account for each municipality. If you have forgotten your account login, contact Cathy Doodnauth.

   Open PDF file, 844 KB, for SMRP Municipal Grant Application Guidelines (PDF 844 KB)

   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.