The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recently awarded nearly $1 million in Recycling Business Development Grants (RBDG) to six recycling companies in the state. The RBDG program helps businesses tackle difficult-to-recycle materials, such as contaminated food materials, construction and demolition wood, and bulky rigid plastics. The funds will help these businesses expand their operations and…
Last spring, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (Mass DHCD) asked RecyclingWorks for help diverting materials from disposal when renovating its properties. RecyclingWorks assisted Mass DHCD with a project involving window, roofing, and siding replacement at seven residential properties in Bourne. The project included replacement of 147 vinyl windows. All of the windows,…
The Healthy Building Network and StopWaste released the “Optimizing Recycling: Post-Consumer Polyethylene in Building Products” report. This report examines the hazards, supply chains, and economic impacts of using post-consumer polyethylene from products such as beverage containers as a feedstock streams for building products. The report outlines recommendations for manufacturers, recyclers, consumers, and government agencies to…
A recent Zero Waste Zone post describes a new partnership between the U.S. Green Business Council (USGBC) and the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council (USZWBC). The U.S. Green Business Council administers the LEED certification program which recognizes buildings for their sustainable building design, construction, operations, and maintenance. The U.S. Zero Waste Business Council offers a…
A recent Newburyport News article featured developer, George Haseltine’s recent deconstructed a home in Newburyport. Haseltine diverted the lumber from disposal, instead donating it to EcoBuilding Bargains for resale., Haseltine could receive a $84,500 tax credit for this donation if he makes a profit from the construction. EcoBuilding Bargains sells the used building materials at…
RecyclingWorks is developing best management practices for building professionals to increase recycling and reuse of construction and demolition (C&D) materials. RecyclingWorks is coordinating a series of stakeholder meetings that will inform the development of this guidance. Through these meetings, RecyclingWorks is learning about reuse and recycling of these materials from the experience of contractors, architects,…
RecyclingWorks is developing best management practices on contracting for hauling services for trash, recycling, and organics for businesses and institutions. RecyclingWorks is coordinating a stakeholder engagement process that will inform the development of this guidance. This approach is similar to the creation of the 2015 Food Donation Guidance Document. RecyclingWorks is hosting three stakeholder meetings…
