Massachusetts grants support municipal food waste programs and collection equipment upgrades

Massachusetts is ramping up its efforts to combat food waste with the introduction of new grant offerings aimed at municipalities. During the recent MassDEP SMRP Grant Information Webinar, officials unveiled significant updates to the food waste cart grants, which are designed to help local governments establish and expand curbside and drop-off food waste programs.

This year, municipalities can apply for funding to purchase curbside carts for food waste collection, with a notable increase in the funding rate from $20 to $25 per household. The maximum award for each municipality is set at $125,000, covering up to 5,000 households over multiple years. A key change this year is the introduction of a drop-off program option, allowing municipalities to apply for equipment to set up food waste drop-off stations at transfer sites or other municipal properties.

Becky, a representative from MassDEP, emphasized the importance of a solid implementation plan for grant recipients, which must outline funding sources, program descriptions, and timelines. This requirement aims to ensure successful program rollouts and community engagement.

In addition to food waste initiatives, the webinar also highlighted six categories of drop-off equipment grants, expanding from just two last year. These include funding for food waste drop-off stations, paint sheds for hazardous materials, cardboard compactors, glass recycling containers, reuse swap shops, and universal waste sheds. Each category has specific funding limits, with the goal of enhancing waste diversion and recycling efforts across the state.

Mikayla, another MassDEP representative, noted that municipalities can apply for up to two equipment categories but can only receive one grant per category. The evaluation criteria for these grants will favor facilities that are accessible to residents and enforce prohibitions on improper disposal of target materials.

As Massachusetts continues to tackle waste management challenges, these grant offerings represent a proactive step towards fostering sustainable practices and reducing food waste in communities statewide.