Exciting News: We are on Instagram! Since 2012, RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts has been dedicated to helping Massachusetts businesses reduce waste and maximize recycling, reuse, and food recovery opportunities. We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new Instagram account! While we’re already connecting with you on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter), we found that…
Mei Mei Dumplings, located in South Boston, is setting a great example for sustainable business practices. Since opening their doors in 2012, Mei Mei has been dedicated to reducing waste and minimizing their environmental impact. Mei Mei has always been passionate about diverting food scraps, and through a partnership with CERO they’ve implemented a comprehensive…
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has announced a Reduce, Reuse, Repair MicroGrant Program. These grants award up to $10,000 to for-profit and non-profit organizations, regional authorities, eligible municipalities, and schools/colleges, for short-term waste reduction projects (≤1 year). To qualify, projects must focus on reducing waste generation and prolonging the lifespan of products via…
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has posted a grant application to support the collection and processing of specified target materials through the Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program. This grant program is focused on expanding the infrastructure for collection, reuse, recycling, and other defined processing for specified target materials. These grants…
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released new reports that quantify the environmental impacts of wasted food. In response to these findings, the EPA introduced the Wasted Food Scale (pictured below), an iteration of the EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy. The Wasted Food Scale is designed to empower individuals, businesses, institutions, and more with the…
RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) publishes an annual report that details the impacts of our outreach, technical assistance, hotline, presentations, resources, and more. We recently published the annual report for Fiscal Year 2023. Key successes included: Approximately 1,430 tons of material diverted from disposal, contributing to an overall cumulative direct program impact of nearly 324,000 tons…
Recent years have taught us that medical personal protective equipment (PPE), or the masks, gowns, gloves, etc. that keep front line workers and patients safe, are indispensable. In March 2023, Alliance Health & Human Services (AHHS), which owns, operates, and manages several skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Massachusetts, encountered a large amount of surplus…
Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical company with an administrative headquarters in Cambridge, is fixed on a zero-waste goal. By 2025, they aim to be 100% disposal-free. The path to zero waste is paved with choices. Where should recycling and food waste receptacles be located? Is reusable or recyclable serviceware the better option? Whose responsibility is it…
On the surface a beloved diner and a commercial construction manager might not have much in common. But the reality is that every business can benefit from new or improved waste handling practices. RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) excited to present two recent case studies that showcase environmentally responsible and community supported waste management programs: Johnny’s…
RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks), in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), hosted the RecyclingWorks MA Fall 2022 Forum virtually on November 9, 2022. This year’s forum focused on updates and resources to help businesses and institutions understand and comply with changes to MassDEP waste disposal bans on commercial food waste, textiles, and…
