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MassDEP details grants, loan fund results and launches $1 million innovation grant to build recycling markets
Summary
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection reported recent Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant results and loan-fund totals, and announced a new $1 million Waste Reduction Innovation Grant to prioritize materials with limited outlets and problem materials such as lithium-ion batteries.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on the Recycling Market Development work group call summarized recent grant and loan activity and announced a new innovation grant aimed at expanding recycling markets.
Claudine (MassDEP) said MassDEP has completed its eighth solicitation under the Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant (RBDG) program and has awarded 76 grants totaling more than $8.5 million. She said the latest round — subject to finalized contracts — would distribute approximately $2.2 million in grants to 23 businesses and nonprofits across the state. Collection grants range from $25,000 to $100,000 and processing grants from $50,000 to $400,000; MassDEP requires applicant matches (25% for collection grants, 50% for processing grants).
Claudine and other staff also described the Recycling Loan Fund, administered under contract by BDC Capital. The fund dates to 1996 and, according to MassDEP, has provided 89 loans totaling over $20.3 million to 60 Massachusetts businesses. Loan amounts can be up to $500,000 with terms of 10 years, and the fund may provide up to $1.5 million for anaerobic digestion projects.
To accelerate new technologies and business models, MassDEP said it will create a Waste Reduction Innovation Grant with an initial commitment of $1,000,000 and is drafting program guidelines. Claudine asked the work group for stakeholder input on which materials to prioritize; she listed materials with limited outlets (glass, wood, asphalt shingles), opportunities (textiles reuse markets) and problematic materials for prioritization (lithium-ion batteries, bulk items).
MassDEP staff invited public comment and questions about implementation and enforcement; they said that more information and the application timeline will be posted on the MassDEP Recycling Market Development work group web page. The agency also noted future rounds of RBDG and said the innovation grant application is expected to be issued in spring 2025 and the next RBDG solicitation in summer 2025.
The work group indicated it will accept written feedback on the innovation grant design while MassDEP finalizes guidelines in the coming months.
