Eldridge and Gentile Announce Funding Boost for Sudbury’s Recycling Efforts

SUDBURY, MA—The following was submitted by the office of Sen. Jamie Eldridge. Have news? Share it on our bulletin board or send to charlene.arsenault@patch.com.

Eldridge and Gentile Announce Funding Boost for Sudbury’s Recycling Efforts

State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and State Representative Carmine Gentile (D-Sudbury) today announced that the Town of Sudbury has been awarded a $4,550 Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) grant that will help maximize their recycling, composting and waste reduction programs. The SMRP was created under the Green Communities Act and is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

“I’m proud to represent communities that are dedicated to reversing the destructive effects of climate change,” said Senator Eldridge. “I want to thank the Baker-Polito administration for awarding this important environmental protection grant to Sudbury, which will boost our recycling and waste reduction efforts.”

“We appreciate this award from MassDEP and applaud the Board of Selectmen and Sudbury DPW for their continuing efforts to have Sudbury excel in waste reduction and recycling.” said Representative Gentile remarked. “Composting can generate revenue from the sale of topsoil produced while recycling significantly diminishes trash collection expense.”

During the first round of 2017 SMRP funding, 185 communities qualified for the “Recycling Dividends Program” (RDP) and will receive payments ranging from $2,100 to $84,500, for a total of $2.25 million statewide. The RDP recognizes municipalities that have implemented policies and programs proven to maximize materials reuse and recycling, as well as waste reduction. Communities that earn RDP payments must reinvest the funds in their recycling programs for things such as new recycling bins or carts, public education and outreach campaigns, collection of hard-to-recycle items and the establishment of recycling programs in schools, municipal buildings and other public spaces.

As part of the SMRP, an additional 53 municipalities and regional entities that did not apply for or qualify for an RDP grant will be awarded a total of $53,750 for a “Small-Scale Initiatives Grant.” These population-based grants range from $500 to $2,000 each and help communities purchase modest, but critical recycling materials and outreach tools needed to sustain their existing recycling program or to facilitate new, low-cost initiatives.

The RDP was a new initiative rolled out in 2014 under MassDEP’s Sustainable Materials Recovery Program, which was created by the Green Communities Act of 2008. The Act requires that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Waste Energy Certificates (WECs) be directed to recycling programs approved by MassDEP. The SMRP initiative has provided more than $24 million in recycling programs since July of 2010.

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

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