Arlington Awarded over $20k Grant for Recycling, Composting and Waste Reduction Efforts

ARLINGTON, MA — The Town of Arlington was one of 217 municipalities and regional solid waste districts to receive a portion of nearly $1.6 million in grant funding from the Baker-Polito administration Wednesday.

The administration announced that Arlington will receive a total of $22,500 in Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) grants. The aim of the grants is to to help maximize "recycling, composting and waste reduction programs."

These recycling grants will help the Commonwealth’s communities continue their work of responsibly protecting our natural resources and the public health,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “The success we achieve reducing the waste stream across Massachusetts begins at the local level, and I am proud we are able to help communities make critical investments in their recycling programs.”

Arlington was one of 166 communities that qualified for the "Recycling Dividends" program (RDP), receiving a payment of $21,000 from the RDP. Communities that earned RDP payments must re-invest the funds in their recycling programs for items such as new recycling bins or carts, public education and outreach programs and other recycling initiatives.

The town was also one of 205 municipalities awarded "Small-Scale Initiative Grants," being awarded $1,500. The funding is aimed to help communities purchase "critical recycling materials and outreach tools," or facilitate new low-cost initiatives.

“Municipalities that cut the waste stream and increase recycling and composting are helping to build a stronger economy and a healthier environment,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton in a statement. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to reducing waste disposal by 30 percent below 2008 levels, which equates to about 2 million tons per year, and these community recycling grants will ensure we reach our goals.”

Four municipalities received over $50,000 in grants. Those include New Bedford ($66,000); Cambridge and Worcester ($60,000); and Springfield at $54,000.

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