The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Recycle Smart MA initiative is celebrating its second birthday this month, as highlighted by Waste360. Since 2018, this initiative has been increasing awareness around recycling in Massachusetts and empowering Bay Staters to collect the proper materials for recycling at home, school, and work, without introducing contamination from problem…
In Fall 2019, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) released the Draft 2020-2030 Solid Waste Master Plan for public comment. The plan proposes aggressive goals for waste reduction, building on the 18 percent reduction in disposal per capita achieved from 2008 to 2018. This includes targeted reuse and recycling efforts for textiles, mattresses, and…
Belly of the Beast is a fast-casual restaurant in Northampton focused on using local ingredients and engaging in sustainable practices. Although operations were disrupted due to COVID-19, Belly of the Beast has been able to maintain a focus on waste reduction while strengthening ties to the local community and feeding those in need. Recently, Belly…
Multifamily property managers across the state are finding that as more people are staying home, so is their waste! A large part of that waste is actually resources, such as cardboard boxes and other materials that don’t belong in the trash. Increasing recycling is an important part of a healthy supply chain, as it provides…
If your business is resuming in-person operations after a period of closure, you may have questions about resuming your trash and recycling services. Here are some important tips to keep in mind as you reopen: Contact your waste hauler – It is critical to provide advanced notice to your waste hauler(s) that you need to…
RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) recently developed a new webpage that includes links to the most commonly referenced tip sheets, best management practices, and other resources on waste reduction, recycling, and food recovery. Some of the resources highlighted on this page include: Guidance for Businesses Contracting for Trash, Recycling, and Food Waste Services Single Stream Recycling…
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized two Massachusetts organizations for their achievements in waste diversion through the national WasteWise program. WasteWise is a free, voluntary program designed to help private and public organizations work toward reductions in solid waste. Every year, the EPA recognizes partners in various categories who report significant improvements in…
On April 16, RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) hosted the 2020 Spring WasteWise Forum as a webinar, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The focus of the virtual Forum, which was originally planned as an in-person event at Brandeis University, was on “Back to Basics”. …
Each year, grocery stores in the United States generate as much as 300 million pounds of rigid plastics in their operations. This material, found in bakery, deli & seafood, and pharmacy departments, is not typically accepted in most single stream or dual-stream recycling programs but can be recovered and recycled as a separate stream. Recycling…
Clark University is a private institution in Worcester with over 3,000 students, faculty, and staff. Through dedicated leadership and Sustainable Clark, the university has engaged the campus community in a variety of waste diversion programs. In addition to running a comprehensive recycling and composting program, Clark continually re-evaluates their waste programs by identifying opportunities to…
