Wayland Awarded More Than $3,500 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 Wayland will receive a total of $3,600 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 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.”

Wayland was one of 166 communities that qualified for the "Recycling Dividends" program (RDP), receiving a payment of $3,600 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.

“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 more than $50,000 in grants. Those include New Bedford ($66,000), Cambridge and Worcester ($60,000), and Springfield at $54,000.

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