The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has announced a grant opportunity through the Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program. This program is aimed at expanding infrastructure for the collection, reuse, recycling, and processing of designated target materials. The grants are designed to support the development of sustainable markets for these materials and products, enhancing recycling and reuse efforts for businesses and non-profit organizations across Massachusetts. Eligible entities are invited to apply and help advance the state’s environmental and economic goals.
Applicants may apply for both collection and processing, but MassDEP will award only one grant per applicant. See below for more information on grant awards and the requirements for both processing and collection.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be a company or corporation (for-profit or non-profit) properly licensed to do business in the Commonwealth at the time of contracting.
- Manage one of the eligible materials.
- Have no active unresolved MassDEP higher level enforcement actions against them.
- Provide a minimum required financial match (25% for processing, 50% for collection).
The minimum grant award for processing of target materials is $50,000 and the maximum grant award per applicant is $500,000, with a minimum financial match of 25% required. The processing project’s duration must be no longer than 30 months.
Eligible materials for Processing Grant awards are:
- Plastic films and wraps
- Reusable materials
- Household hazardous waste
- Textiles for recycling
- Food materials
- Solar panels
- Bulk rigid plastics
Eligible grant-funded processing activities can include equipment or other capital costs for:
- Processing activities
- Manufacturing activities
- Reuse activities
The minimum grant award for collection of target materials is $25,000 and the maximum grant award per applicant is $100,000, with a minimum financial match of 50% required. The collection project’s duration must be no longer than 12 months.
Eligible materials for Collection Grant awards are:
- Surplus food for donation
- Food waste
Eligible grant-funded collection activities can include:
- Purchase of a truck
- Purchase of collection containers to expand collection routes and services
- Purchase of equipment or software to increase route efficiency
Applications for this round of awards are due on April 3rd, 2026.
Visit the MassDEP RBDG webpage for more information about eligibility and material requirements, and a link to the application. Contact MassDEP’s email for grant-related questions: atsowayib.sikder@mass.gov.