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

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,…