[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6262626,"mediaKeyId","3113141-411fa77a79e1b00cb86a4f2137fc1dfc","parentId",3113141,"title","MassDEP identifies electronics as an area for future focus; technicians and vendors raise device-management barriers","audioSeconds",646,"startMs",4443000,"endMs",5089000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113141-411fa77a79e1b00cb86a4f2137fc1dfc&start=4443&end=5089","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113141-411fa77a79e1b00cb86a4f2137fc1dfc/thumbnail_4443000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262626/Massachusetts/MassDEP-identifies-electronics-as-an-area-for-future-focus-technicians-and-vendors-raise-device-management-barriers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262626-46ff9ebcfda7523d9bd8fd71cc515cbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195988&Signature=nKZ1~WNYpTxIwbYTrpUVhxbQrrpy50tBWkqWF4h~Ju9DYsoB~s8w1y84YxTQtATd48ldLEUjFHzLTMQFKc-oMm7qB02G8ZGNKjXxfuZiF1Uf9jxkJUrI6N6jCysywVZjKm0qZ0pMk7p2CJm1KueN0VnEjhy4UOKrxAzOxfi5JvcRujRvu-nFvkfdxEfbrCWLwymSJIeKIcJfi-SuWazn7NkKdS9uHYUOfOYKF6S9c8SAT72T5j3Jz0iAPnabLGtbTq-zwiOtA8dgMQ3ld8KU6BQbW8pSiZbGnsAPBpO5dZcYgLEwK3hbGPcnpmNPJwdowZHCYg~rrNzZwc9Y5AOHIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MassDEP","date","2025-04-24T20:57:50.533Z","article","MassDEP staff said electronics receive lighter coverage in the current Reduce and Reuse Action Plan but described existing supports—microgrants for repair programs, encouragement of repair events and swap sheds, and RDP/SMRP incentives for libraries of things and tool lending libraries that can include electronics.

The nut graf: MassDEP staff characterized electronics as a material stream with potential reuse benefits but with implementation gaps. Staff noted a few funded pilots, such as BYTE (a micrograntee that purchased tools to repair and refurbish electronics) and a Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant to a company working on solar-panel repurposing. MassDEP said its approach has included promoting repair events and swap sheds through grant awards and technical assistance.

Vendors and reuse specialists reported a specific operational barrier: many schools and institutions issue managed devices (Chromebooks, laptops and tablets) that remain tied to an IT management system. Thomas Foothill of Data Recycle in New England said that when devices remain connected to school management systems they cannot be reused by the general public unless the institution removes management or de-provisions the devices. \"We try to contact these organizations to try to get them unmanaged, but it doesn't always happen,\" Foothill said, describing devices that become unusable for reissue while otherwise repairable.

MassDEP staff acknowledged the issue and invited further information and outreach to municipal IT departments and the Green Sword/Green Team school networks so the agency can better coordinate on deprovisioning practices during device retirement.

Ending: The agency encouraged electronics repair practitioners to submit examples for future grant cycles and expressed interest in developing outreach or technical resources once it assembles more stakeholder input.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MassDEP Reduce & Reuse Working Group Meeting, April 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","MassDEP said electronics work is lower on the current Action Plan priority list but cited existing microgrants for repair and reuse; vendors raised the problem of 'managed' school devices that cannot be re-provisioned for resale or reuse without IT deprovisioning.","taxTitle","Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Executive , Massachusetts","taxId",24971,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262631,"MassDEP reports textile recovery gains since waste ban, urges further outreach and collection access",1753,2689000,4442000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113141-411fa77a79e1b00cb86a4f2137fc1dfc&start=2689&end=4442","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113141-411fa77a79e1b00cb86a4f2137fc1dfc/thumbnail_2689000.jpg","/articles/6262631/Massachusetts/MassDEP-reports-textile-recovery-gains-since-waste-ban-urges-further-outreach-and-collection-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262631-90333945b89efd15ada33005c3c1c429/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195988&Signature=SnXXE1aqP3LDUZ5qkVKhzpYAH30KGGZKQdYRQTt7RUpcwi~nnUTG~pe7BZFe0ltFca3DJ2obDyu9KMInMyZ0zo9gC1J-uxBI03ZyUgxL6udduuH0sYkwE4DVxKjjFAh2-ZBH5tIYjncP12s4SQKF9KvmFeCkfRQrGJmPgLjSnHJ0qF-8c6Z93noLT9oNZfnz5SVWgnIiGoIi8EHt6czyFa587B5Kl2RzIuWTh7VJ-K0QxiKFYs2GmON9Gl76a3lR8L-ZTVOJz3K4r6HefJfCvWihw7M4MBPAK4E7fI-sRVUbcWRDf8xJtKWAvJaSaGQW2Ae80jELm-R5B37oIffWwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MassDEP staff told attendees at the midpoint review that textile recovery in Massachusetts has advanced since textiles were added to the state’s waste-ban list in November 2022, and that the agency will continue to use grants, directories and outreach to expand reuse and diversion.

Kathy Mirza and Janice Perret reviewed data intended to measure progress: state waste-characterization studies show more than 5% of municipal trash by weight remains textiles; MassDEP’s goal for textiles is a 50% reduction in disposal relative to a 2018 baseline. Industry partners report that roughly 45% of donated textiles are resold as secondhand apparel, 30% become industrial wiping cloths and about 20% are converted to fiber products; MassDEP staff said roughly 5% of collected material is unusable.

The nut graf: MassDEP combines a range of strategies—education through Recycle Smart Massachusetts, technical assistance via Recycling Works (CET), municipal grants through SMRP/RDP, directories such as Beyond the Bin with more than 2,000 listed textile donation locations, and annual textile summits with recovery organizations—to grow recovery capacity and measure tonnage.

MassDEP cited grant outcomes: the Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant awarded more than $750,000 to five businesses between 2020 and 2023 for collection and processing infrastructure; microgrants have supported small repair and redistribution programs. The agency said 298 of 352 municipalities reported textile collection programs in 2024, and 190 municipalities earned the textile point in the RDP scoring for that year. MassDEP also noted that many municipalities (approximately 300 annually) participate in the SMRP program.

Participants pressed for more consumer-facing outreach about the waste ban and suggested school-based programs, green-captain networks and clearer municipal web materials. MassDEP staff said it has a mattress and textile-bin toolkit and social-media assets in the Recycle Smart Massachusetts materials and that the agency would work to push those resources more widely.

Ending: MassDEP asked stakeholders to share effective local outreach examples and model policies (donation-bin best practices) that the agency can amplify to further increase textile diversion across the state.","MassDEP reviewed textile-recovery work: textiles are a banned disposal item (Nov. 2022), municipalities and recovery vendors report increased tonnage, and MassDEP has used grants and directories to expand collection and reuse.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262636,"MassDEP highlights reusable foodware progress: BMPs, grants and procurement steps",1284,64000,1348000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113141-411fa77a79e1b00cb86a4f2137fc1dfc&start=64&end=1348","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113141-411fa77a79e1b00cb86a4f2137fc1dfc/thumbnail_64000.jpg","/articles/6262636/Massachusetts/MassDEP-highlights-reusable-foodware-progress-BMPs-grants-and-procurement-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262636-ec95dfef0ecf76a68373d9f74f3257d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195988&Signature=BG7pkjgoeupvFqTtyTP6IsXHF6gJC6U4AYJc65H1vL5txnZxpPFY9l9ge5d2wnnNdNFoV-eNaWKL0dx0D8BE2jkKckzePv3wrON5Ue-4ht-n~g8L3zj5m4xAcqp4p8lC8dhycjfuOHtg6cG0EI0DmUv8~7VrCIG-s9YE1Zi5THgRyivmBkEP5GSunegN5LX1df0ENs0zhkqV8IH1SnHnF4yPh4yGYFGF-im3kFX~DwPNeqTCkk5wcAhrROPgX7tqdEvLA3NdiJYkJW01ZpFm1nlYB6B-gacQx4MH0SEaAdaDvAdFbWfbGBnhx98q7USDVSm9nr58lRmo~qLIu6TkKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection staff on Wednesday reviewed actions to replace single-use takeout packaging with reusable foodware and solicited stakeholder feedback on remaining barriers.

MassDEP’s Kathy Mirza told attendees the agency published best management practices (BMPs) for reusable takeout containers in November 2024. \"The BMP provides insights on all the necessary practices related to inspection of the materials, tracking, returning, washing, rinsing, and all those important steps that are necessary for reusable containers,\" Mirza said.

The nut graf: MassDEP said its approach combines education, technical assistance, grants and procurement steps to expand reuse. The agency funds business- and municipal-focused technical assistance through its Recycling Works contract (administered by CET), operates municipal grant programs (SMRP and RDP), and has awarded microgrants and larger business development grants for reusable systems.

Supporting details: MassDEP described multiple grant pathways that have funded reusable foodware pilots. Examples include microgrants to Recircable (a reusable-container provider) and to Stonehill College to pilot a tracked takeout-container program; a recycling and reuse business development grant to ReDish, a third-party warewashing facility in Boston; and SMRP awards that municipalities have used to purchase dishwashers for school districts. MassDEP staff noted the Recycling Dividends Program awards points for communities that ban types of single-use plastics, and that RDP participation translates to grant dollars for qualifying municipalities.

MassDEP also said reusable stainless-steel cafeteria trays are now available on state contract to simplify procurement for schools and public entities. Mirza added MassDEP has met repeatedly with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to vet the BMPs and ensure they are “consistent with the Massachusetts food code,” so food establishments can use the guidance with confidence.

Stakeholders asked how small dining venues can afford dishwashers and whether local health departments will accept BMP-based reuse. MassDEP staff pointed to microgrants, the Recycling Business Development Grant, and a recycling loan fund as possible funding options and said conversations with the Department of Public Health are ongoing.

Ending: MassDEP staff asked stakeholders for additional examples of workforce development and training needs in reusable foodware, and invited continued feedback as the agency compiles midpoint-review recommendations.","MassDEP staff described recent steps to support reuse of single-use food packaging, including publishing best management practices for reusable takeout containers, offering grants for dishwashing systems and third-party warewashing, and coordinating with the Department of Public Health on food-code alignment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262641,"MassDEP begins midpoint review of Reduce and Reuse Action Plan, highlights metrics and grants",5376,1000,5377000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113141-411fa77a79e1b00cb86a4f2137fc1dfc&start=1&end=5377","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113141-411fa77a79e1b00cb86a4f2137fc1dfc/thumbnail_1000.jpg","/articles/6262641/Massachusetts/MassDEP-begins-midpoint-review-of-Reduce-and-Reuse-Action-Plan-highlights-metrics-and-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262641-51ea7092904cf86802b4dcdb511f3208/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195988&Signature=CPSr~CLBGQu~8V~9UoPeC9Jur37Oaw7rzPXhiKFrTWtUhlvxZ5ir-7GbA2NfrVLE0xxQJjsMKIwDDPIC55qGVDTO6N1MbSFt~EAttdBPchDP2JnQUcJRs8gWiRH48VWZAtqWJoCi-itvt4ZPpnYj1rbm3puHaQskuwNtaDZYi3JkHGaIm4u21ZuNr0Ma~PkBJ8kZHr18niehUFvkLt5DKRZLWb-lg-SF9b2nYCt75biNRzsisxKpTD590Ly03LFj7C~R0Q6V5-IUGRVIf45Y5RlfiaW17-oawXKgpFM0VbqudHeDioDjFFdvk8D8SZ0kzlEsxPZaxUbaY7h0PvHmMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection hosted the first of three public midpoint-review meetings Wednesday to assess progress on its December 2021 Reduce and Reuse Action Plan and gather stakeholder feedback on next steps.

The meeting, led by Leah Kelleher of MassDEP’s Reduce and Reuse team, summarized the plan’s origins, the agency’s statutory and programmatic roles, and how MassDEP is measuring progress toward statewide waste reduction goals that were set in the Solid Waste Master Plan. Kelleher said the plan focuses implementation on 1–2 material streams at a time and that the current meeting would examine reusable foodware (single-use packaging), textiles and electronics.

The nut graf: MassDEP framed the midpoint review as a check on what it has accomplished, what remains in progress, and what needs new attention. The agency stressed that measuring reuse is difficult because it describes waste that was never generated; as a result MassDEP tracks activity through proxy metrics such as grants requested and awarded, technical assistance requests, local access to reuse hubs and repair events, and compares those indicators with periodic waste characterization studies.

MassDEP staff outlined the tools they use to support reuse: grant programs (including the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program and the Recycling Dividends Program), technical assistance through the Recycling Works/CET contract, outreach via Recycle Smart Massachusetts, and networking through working groups and listservs. Kelleher and colleagues said MassDEP’s role is to provide grants, technical assistance, and education and to convene stakeholders rather than directly run training programs.

Speakers at the meeting described a mix of accomplishments and unfinished items. MassDEP highlighted increased interest and applications for reuse-focused grants, examples of funded projects (furniture exchanges, reusable foodware pilots, third-party warewashing), and recent guidance: the agency published best management practices (BMPs) for reusable takeout containers in November 2024. MassDEP also reported progress on textiles (see separate article): the agency implemented a textiles waste ban in November 2022 and cited increases in recovered tonnage reported by municipalities and recovery organizations.

Participants asked for more consumer-facing outreach and local materials that municipalities, schools and colleges can reuse. Kelleher and colleagues said many outreach tools exist in the Recycle Smart Massachusetts toolkit and on MassDEP’s social media channels, and that staff will continue to work with the Department of Public Health and municipalities on food code alignment and BMP adoption.

The meeting closed with reminders of open and upcoming grant deadlines (Reduce, Reuse, and Repair microgrant; Sustainable Materials Recovery Program; Reuse and Recycling Business Development Grant) and notice of two follow-up sessions focused on bulky items (May 6) and building materials (May 13). MassDEP solicited ongoing feedback to refine the action plan for the next five-year period.

Ending: MassDEP said it will compile the public feedback collected in this and the two following meetings to recommend updates to the plan’s priorities and tools and to inform grant and outreach priorities for the coming funding cycles.","Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection staff reviewed progress three-and-a-half years after publishing the Reduce and Reuse Action Plan, outlined measurement approaches, grant programs, and next steps, and solicited stakeholder feedback on updating strategies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

MassDEP identifies electronics as an area for future focus; technicians and vendors raise device-management barriers

MassDEP reports textile recovery gains since waste ban, urges further outreach and collection access

MassDEP highlights reusable foodware progress: BMPs, grants and procurement steps

MassDEP begins midpoint review of Reduce and Reuse Action Plan, highlights metrics and grants