[{"_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",6221931,"mediaKeyId","3611053-93d283f051441d1500cbb86caef540ff","parentId",3611053,"title","Stakeholders urge MassDEP to develop statewide master plan and larger funding for permanent household hazardous product collection centers","audioSeconds",654,"startMs",356000,"endMs",1010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611053-93d283f051441d1500cbb86caef540ff&start=356&end=1010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611053-93d283f051441d1500cbb86caef540ff/thumbnail_356000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6221931/Massachusetts/Stakeholders-urge-MassDEP-to-develop-statewide-master-plan-and-larger-funding-for-permanent-household-hazardous-product-collection-centers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221931-f84826f9cfbb152b3b8968d302ec9d24/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075921&Signature=oB1aI~o6P2-4jxbA3YhNIwlMwl66sGlTVyIHo8e3R0nAuL3S66WDQexpIKGwb6gekGdoMHtXeK8hKaHAWPI~GUm893~rySiV4PFuZumrAzuu8HgsVBecO5xHbzG~6DW82UgdXvvBlixyEooytCXkmphv1uenikRi7a76s8Hg93FqKsVzolE8YNpNNyckPcg8QccblRpAeiHekbr~PAnni~y6SP-LmKhDUUUsDmxvLmfPyQ6IpxZU09NT5xWN1NRsBOzabd9UsYb4~7NSQxI5IMjvqsYtCJp8uGMZi7X8F6vrUVdfdF166Z~2npujGv1DSii2lu1fZqPhn5Vv-g346Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MassDEP","date","2025-05-29T17:06:05Z","article","Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection staff and outside stakeholders discussed the need for a statewide master plan and significantly larger funding to establish permanent household hazardous products (HHP) collection centers during a virtual meeting on the plan's second draft.

The group said the current annual grant program that supports municipal collection centers is useful but limited by the amount of funding available through waste‑to‑energy credits. Commenter Phil said the state should consider a larger financial approach—such as an environmental bond bill—to develop a comprehensive, statewide system rather than continuing a piecemeal, town‑by‑town model.

Why it matters: Permanent facilities require substantial capital and operational investments and, stakeholders said, a statewide approach would enable strategic siting, consistent services and full geographic coverage. The discussion focused on how to move from scattered local efforts toward a coordinated network of facilities.

Stakeholders described facility costs and planning needs. Phil said permanent facilities can be “in the range of $3,000,000” and recommended MassDEP pursue a master plan. He said he submitted a request to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for $250,000 to pay for contractor work to produce a master plan that would size facilities, estimate costs, and recommend funding options. Commenter David Nightingale recommended planning targets for facility siting, saying an effective level for major facilities is “something around a hundred thousand to 200,000 population per facility.”

MassDEP staff described current funding limits. John Fisher, who oversees the agency’s solid waste programs, said the department’s “available funding [is] through the waste energy credits,” and that those credits are the primary funding source used across recycling, waste reduction and reuse programs. Fisher added that the recent increase in waste‑to‑energy credit levels is expected to raise the overall amount available for waste reduction grants over time.

Participants urged the agency to consider a separate financing model if the state wants to build a network of permanent centers. Phil said a statewide effort could require “tens of millions of dollars” or more and recommended engaging the commissioner’s office and the governor’s administration early to pursue bonding or other large funding mechanisms.

MassDEP commitments and next steps were limited to process items discussed at the meeting: staff said they would share the PowerPoint tables extracted from the draft plan after the meeting and accept email follow‑ups and meetings to collect further input. No formal votes or policy adoptions occurred at this meeting.

The conversation reflected long‑standing concerns among municipalities and regional coalitions about contractor availability, permitting and long lead times for large procurement and construction projects. Stakeholders asked MassDEP to coordinate more actively with regional planning agencies and other state offices to develop templates for permitting, siting and financing permanent collection centers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Household Hazardous Products Action Plan Meeting 2, April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection staff and outside stakeholders discussed the need for a statewide master plan and significantly larger funding to establish permanent household hazardous products (HHP) collection centers during a virtual meeting on the plan's second draft.","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},6221916,"Municipal leaders ask MassDEP to improve reciprocal events, statewide contract timing and vendor capacity for HHP collections",530,2115000,2645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611053-93d283f051441d1500cbb86caef540ff&start=2115&end=2645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611053-93d283f051441d1500cbb86caef540ff/thumbnail_2115000.jpg","/articles/6221916/Massachusetts/Municipal-leaders-ask-MassDEP-to-improve-reciprocal-events-statewide-contract-timing-and-vendor-capacity-for-HHP-collections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221916-0bd34e7b7316a2d56d007922a5f2c599/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075921&Signature=Uj2niuaq~eP5UwKewQHcvsDwH0msG1mfu0sIUk1jaYKjFnHH8AEMw4ebVJ4N6Nfnk54wOlzcvlGZ44O~o70a3Y3LoUYUSjvF4yhxgHt9VbbtwH8ovL~NwIKAkgauB0J9SwvP1ekYbXDuZEMADPpQvW2Nrq1ZOheIo-a77elyPB233n9yvG50nJt13773wRbWQrS2wRYecWsSbyOJYY4XlLWePYuURQ9CsZ8wxRsN3BJeepNc9ZPWGb7YhSYHjImWYMS0FCR1oMyhy-4wK-Iyp4TMohwwImeA46EZ9VU709uWxnT-b~SHurWOHNp13eAKLa3f9KAclX0PkH7Egt59aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Municipal officials and solid‑waste stakeholders told MassDEP staff they need help with vendor contracting, timing and coordination to make reciprocal one‑day household hazardous products (HHP) collection events reliably available across the state.

Why it matters: One‑day events are a key access point for residents, but municipalities depend on available vendors, timely state contract pricing and predictable procurement windows. When bids and pricing are late, local planners said, they must put out separate bids or cancel planned events.

Participants praised recent procurement improvements but requested continued attention to timing. Speakers noted that MassDEP and OSD recently completed a new statewide contract (WMR001 / FAC110) and that bids for the new contract had just closed; staff said the new contract includes two‑year pricing to help municipalities plan for FY26 and FY27. A commenter said the new OSD contract contact had been responsive and that two‑year pricing should help avoid last‑minute changes.

Stakeholders urged MassDEP to maintain and publicize an expanded vendor list and to coordinate with municipalities and regional cooperatives so reciprocal agreements among towns are reliable. Commenter Jan Amin and others said reciprocal agreements already work in some regions (for example, Franklin County and surrounding towns), but vendor availability and long procurement timelines limit frequency and coverage.

Training and contractor performance were raised as practical needs. David Nightingale recommended adding training for local governments and collection staff as a routine component of state contracts so new staff and volunteers can run events safely and in compliance with regulations. MassDEP staff said training opportunities are included in bid specifications and that vendors receive points for offering training.

MassDEP requested written follow‑up and said the agency will share the PowerPoint tables and accept further input by email; no votes or formal procurements were decided at the meeting.","Local officials and stakeholders urged MassDEP to address vendor availability, procurement timing and contract design for one‑day collection events, and they welcomed recent changes to the statewide contract procurement while asking for more training and better coordination.",{"_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},6221921,"Stakeholders ask MassDEP to flesh out disaster plans that include household hazardous products",137,1827000,1964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611053-93d283f051441d1500cbb86caef540ff&start=1827&end=1964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611053-93d283f051441d1500cbb86caef540ff/thumbnail_1827000.jpg","/articles/6221921/Massachusetts/Stakeholders-ask-MassDEP-to-flesh-out-disaster-plans-that-include-household-hazardous-products","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221921-aa653aed677c6df10126ce2e59787d20/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075921&Signature=Cw4qi5EJyG517lWyfAUisefIniX-ICzaMZH5UtP6nUu2OLL518ZEMvuZGM7Dg5H-NLFJoytbLRgbMqgIdJdGnx7Ab3wJenaX11~IDL1wksAzd1W9dZwEX~6K~kXXaD1Js0cz-3pEFZnlsZZs3z5tmFjCF-rRgQTiOZNYgnIWt-MhVh0DGwq9lIMT6eFQhoGg99wMdcFWip-urqE8rPAmgtH8uY2C1kiw2D3tCp-g7Mtm4M-0824J8GIVP2DJkZ3kBbFPsckPHJQGY1SCKvbCkSrly69RREyTt4aiu~Nj3zW9h9i2dzT99lt~oKgA~4dlcBSiSc5iS29JQsuOwbSnWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MassDEP staff and stakeholders discussed incorporating household hazardous products (HHP) into disaster preparedness and recovery planning, and urged the agency to provide municipalities with more detailed operational guidance and contracts to support post‑disaster collection, triage and disposal.

Why it matters: Disasters such as floods, hurricanes and wildfires can generate large quantities of household hazardous materials that require rapid, safe collection and disposal. Several speakers said municipalities will need clearer statewide guidance and prearranged logistical and disposal arrangements to avoid delays and unsafe handling.

Stakeholders urged MassDEP to coordinate with regional and federal partners. Phil recommended DEP work closely with MEMA and FEMA and to consult other jurisdictions that have plans for hazardous materials after fires and floods. He asked whether MassDEP has contracts or arrangements in place for disposal capacity — for example, whether materials would be shipped to a subtitle C landfill — and urged the agency to investigate disposal options and mutual aid arrangements in advance.

Jan Amin and others noted that regional planning agencies and councils of governments already help municipalities with disaster planning and mutual aid and recommended that MassDEP incorporate those regional entities into any guidance or outreach. Participants also noted contractors exist to support collection logistics and FEMA paperwork but suggested a gap remains for disposal contracts and facility capacity during large disasters.

MassDEP staff said disaster preparedness is a long‑term element of the draft plan and that those plans will help identify further needs for staff and contractor resources. No formal decisions were made at this meeting.","Meeting participants recommended that MassDEP develop more detailed guidance and interagency coordination on handling household hazardous products (HHP) after disasters, including disposal contracts, triage plans and coordination with MEMA and FEMA.",{"_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},6221926,"Stakeholders urge MassDEP to broaden EPR work to include paint, lithium‑ion batteries and other product categories",291,1269000,1560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611053-93d283f051441d1500cbb86caef540ff&start=1269&end=1560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611053-93d283f051441d1500cbb86caef540ff/thumbnail_1269000.jpg","/articles/6221926/Massachusetts/Stakeholders-urge-MassDEP-to-broaden-EPR-work-to-include-paint-lithiumion-batteries-and-other-product-categories","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221926-d4477a42b52e2bacddf2e72bddc44bd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075921&Signature=Nf04kKwPdOjKIvNW5UBrhyyvZa3ZVWasT6oFwicIJIbPlf39adNFseSLTV6dh9TycaelFUhlO3tOJn0KAOp6F7YPrkmzpVfLoo6WBdQtJ3w5MTMoql2XZ85u6FZq2KRW2HUMdg8Gh2C4povPVJoIs4ASaM7Z2luAch8tisWMywQDqdzEzsKa9jQQQXJq2D7l0~f5isg8Jf1OdNBTDQ2zbJZQnII2zCL2BCb0Y1qLC0u8lkS~1UEh54i1RZuSTMdFjEGDQp1ZR3OdCPYUNNGlQaphS0Et4eFnNJ5mopNnHhG27~Ra1w8SKD6NOcMTeWvS2ngV~ywU03Vt9YzNfORrdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stakeholders at a virtual MassDEP meeting on the Household Hazardous Products Action Plan recommended broadening the department’s producer responsibility (EPR) work beyond paint care to include additional categories such as lithium‑ion batteries, mattresses and mercury‑containing devices.

The discussion cited existing programs elsewhere and urged MassDEP to research other state models and clarify the EPR commission’s role in advocating for specific legislative proposals. Commenter Jan Amin said Massachusetts “doesn't have to create the wheel” and recommended outreach to states such as Vermont, which have existing EPR structures for various product categories.

Why it matters: Extended producer responsibility programs can shift collection and end‑of‑life costs from municipalities to manufacturers and retailers, increase collection convenience and change how hazardous household materials are managed.

Participants recommended priorities and specific categories. Phil urged including lithium‑ion batteries in the EPR discussion, calling batteries “massive” because of the fire hazard they present at transfer stations and collection points. John Fisher confirmed the EPR commission’s work and MassDEP staff said they would include batteries as a focus for EPR research.

David Nightingale and others recommended including convenience metrics and planning benchmarks in any EPR program — for example, population‑based targets for facility coverage. Jan Amin and Phil recommended outreach to the retail sector and industry associations, not only individual retailers, to make retailer take‑back or incentive programs feasible.

Participants also noted existing, sometimes fading, programs for mercury thermostats and other items and urged MassDEP to inventory those programs to ensure continuity. The meeting included multiple suggestions to coordinate with other states and the EPR commission to learn from enacted programs and to consider future products that could become problematic as the waste stream evolves.

No formal policy decisions were made at the meeting; staff said they would incorporate comments into the draft tables and accept follow‑up input by email.","Participants recommended that MassDEP expand its producer responsibility efforts beyond paint to include mattresses, lithium‑ion batteries and mercury products; they also urged the agency to study and adopt models from other states such as Vermont and to clarify the EPR commission’s role.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Stakeholders urge MassDEP to develop statewide master plan and larger funding for permanent household hazardous product collection centers

Municipal leaders ask MassDEP to improve reciprocal events, statewide contract timing and vendor capacity for HHP collections

Stakeholders ask MassDEP to flesh out disaster plans that include household hazardous products

Stakeholders urge MassDEP to broaden EPR work to include paint, lithium‑ion batteries and other product categories