MassDEP updates Recycling Dividends Program: point rules, CHARM requirements and outreach criteria clarified

Cathy Doudnath, lead on MassDEP’s Recycling Dividends Program (RDP), walked applicants through substantive changes and verification expectations for the Spring 2025 RDP application.

Program basics: Doudnath said RDP is in its twelfth year and continues as an incentive program that awards municipalities based on implemented best practices in reuse, recycling and organics. For fiscal year 2025, RDP offers point-scored options across multiple categories; staff said the application shows point totals and that municipalities earning at least one point are eligible for RDP payments. Points are awarded for programs and policies that were implemented or in effect during FY25 (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025).

Payment brackets and EJ treatment: Doudnath said MassDEP combined the two smallest household brackets: municipalities with 4,999 households or fewer will be paid $420 per point for basic level (1–9 points) or $600 per point at the advanced level (10+ points). She also reiterated that municipalities designated as RDP environmental-justice (EJ) populations (51 municipalities on the current list) will receive advanced-level point payments even if they earn fewer than 10 points.

CHARM changes: The Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHARM) category now requires year-round collections at 12 times per year to earn points. To be eligible for CHARM points, a location must collect two required items (mercury-bearing products — e.g., fluorescent lamps, button batteries, thermostats — and textiles) plus additional listed items to meet the 8- or 12-item thresholds. Seasonal collections at least six times a year count for certain exemptions, and municipalities must list CHARM offerings on the RecycleSmart “Beyond the Bin” directory for points to be validated.

Curbside and enforcement: MassDEP clarified the curbside recycling regulation category with separate hauler-focused and resident-focused subsections. To earn the highest points for mandatory recycling and quality-enforcement options, municipalities must actively enforce rules and measure results by conducting an annual recycling audit to assess contamination levels. Evidence such as copy of the regulation, enforcement tracking sheets, warning letters or audit results will be requested for verification.

DEI and outreach changes: The DEI category now requires a multilingual trash-and-recycling guide (e.g., RecycleSmart translations) as a mandatory activity plus two optional activities from a specified list to earn points. Doudnath said municipalities should host translated outreach materials on municipal websites with direct links for verification. For the waste-prevention outreach point, MassDEP now requires six activities, including a required set of links: a Beyond the Bin listing, a RecycleSmart homepage link and the Recyclopedia widget (or equivalent) on the municipal site. Doudnath said municipal pages that continue to claim "pizza boxes are not recyclable" will make the municipality ineligible for that waste-prevention point: "Pizza boxes are recyclable. We've confirmed it. We've confirmed it with the MRFs and the haulers, and we're all on board. If we see any information that says pizza boxes are not recyclable, you will not be eligible to earn this point."

Spending and dedicated accounts: RDP and related grant money must be spent on approved waste-reduction activities; Doudnath displayed the approved spending sheet and urged municipalities to spend carried-over RDP balances rather than accumulate them. She also said dedicated accounts for RDP funds are required as of this year: municipalities without a dedicated account must certify how grant funds will be tracked before accepting awards.

Ending: Doudnath urged applicants to consult the RDP details document (linked in the guidelines) and to use municipal-assistance coordinators for verification questions. She noted that MassDEP cross-checks several items (for example, HHW event dates via the department’s notification system and CHARM listings on Beyond the Bin).