Apply for SMRP Recycling Dividends Program Funds

Next steps

1. What to Know

   If your city or town has implemented specific reuse, recycling, and waste reduction programs and policies, it may qualify for payments under the Recycling Dividends Program (RDP).

   MassDEP uses a set of evaluation criteria to score applicants for RDP funds. These criteria apply to curbside, drop-off, and private subscription communities alike. Private subscription communities must have adopted comprehensive private hauler regulations to be eligible.

   RDP fund allocation is based upon:

   1. A tiered point system indexed to various waste diversion categories.
   2. The number of households served by the municipal trash program. 

   See below for Details: Recycling Dividends Program, which provides an overview of RDP, municipal eligibility criteria, and how MassDEP evaluates applications. The RDP Worksheet can help you assess your own municipality's eligibility for funding.

   Open PDF file, 1.38 MB,  Details: Recycling Dividends Program (English, PDF 1.38 MB)

   Open PDF file, 597.78 KB,  RDP Worksheet (English, PDF 597.78 KB)

2. Be Sure Your Municipality Qualifies

   Recycling Dividends Program grants are funded through the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP).

   Before applying for RDP funding, your municipality must certify that it meets the minimum eligibility criteria outlined in the document below.

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

   Open PDF file, 202.23 KB,  Certification of SMRP Minimum Eligibility Criteria (English, PDF 202.23 KB)

3. Complete & Submit Your 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.

   APPLY ONLINE: Re-TRAC Connect™ 

4. MassDEP Scores Your Application

   MassDEP will review your municipality's RDP application to determine that:

   1. It meets all SMRP eligibility requirements. 
   2. The agency received both your previous year's Recycling & Solid Waste Survey and RDP Spending Report, as well as your annual "Buy Recycled" policy notification, by the February 15 deadline. (If not, MassDEP will deduct one RDP point from your total points earned.)
   3. The categories for which your municipality is claiming RDP points are accurate and verifiable according to the established criteria.

5. Spend Your RDP Funds

   Your municipality may use RDP funds to cover a number of solid waste and recycling expenses. For additional information, see the resources below.

   Open PDF file, 703.65 KB,  RDP & Small-Scale Initiative Approved Spending Categories (English, PDF 703.65 KB)

   Open PDF file, 4.19 MB,  Community Examples of Recycling Dividends Program Spending (English, PDF 4.19 MB)

   Environmentally Preferred Products & Services on Statewide Contract 

6. Report on Your RDP Expenditures

   If your municipality is awarded RDP funds, it must report its expenditures to MassDEP annually. Submit your Spending Report online via Re-TRAC Connect™ by February 15.
   
   MassDEP will conduct audits of several municipalities each year to ensure that the information they have reported is accurate.