Recycling Grant Programs

The launch of new recycling grant programs by the Healey-Driscoll Administration marks a significant push toward innovative waste reduction in Massachusetts. Administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the Waste Reduction Innovation Grant (WRIG) aims to accelerate progress toward the state’s 2030 and 2050 waste reduction goals by funding creative solutions across sectors.

The WRIG program will support early-stage pilot initiatives and larger-scale capital investments. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $2 million will be awarded to projects demonstrating potential for measurable environmental impact, such as recycling bulky household items, improving glass recovery systems, and advancing battery or textile sorting technologies. Each selected project must match a portion of the grant, encouraging shared investment in long-term solutions.

With a focus on climate action and equity, the initiative also targets environmental justice communities disproportionately affected by landfill pollution. By empowering nonprofits, startups, and institutions to rethink waste, Massachusetts is fostering job creation and positioning its waste management sector at the forefront of sustainable innovation.