RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) is a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) program administered by CET. Recycling Works publishes an annual report that details the impacts of outreach, technical assistance (TA), hotline, presentations, resources, and more.

Notable achievements from the recently published Fiscal Year 2024 annual report include: 

• 1,781 tons of material diverted from disposal, contributing to an overall cumulative direct program impact of nearly 325,781 tons of material diverted since 2013  

• 764 units of fluorescent lamps recycled  

• 1,832 total phone and email hotline inquiries   

•  In-person or virtual technical assistance (Mini TA and Tiered TA) provided to 199 businesses 

• Tier 1 Compost Site TA provided to 5 operations, and Tier 2 Compost Site TA provided to 2 operations  

• Over 106,000 visits to www.recyclingworksma.com 

• 31 speaking engagements/events, reaching 4,664 attendees 

RecyclingWorks continued to utilize its network and support resources to connect recyclers, donation agencies, reuse centers, food processors, and businesses and institutions eager to recover and divert their waste. Program accomplishments included:   

• Updated a set of five sector-specific waste ban compliance tips to reflect the half-ton commercial food material disposal ban threshold.  

• Organizing a Practical Skills Workshop for Commercial Compost Site Operators, with an emphasis on composting food materials using the aerated static pile (ASP) method on October 10th, 2024.  

• Hosted three stakeholder engagement meetings to continue development of the Reusable Takeout Containers Best Management Practices (BMPs). Stay tuned for the release of the finalized guidance document on the RecyclingWorks website.  

• Conducted an outreach strategy with the food scraps hauler and composter Second Chance Compost to promote a composting pilot, in which four businesses are participating. 

• Through Tiered TA, Mini TA, and Hotline assistance, diverted a collective 500 tons of organic material from disposal, instead directing this material to composting, animal feed, or anaerobic digestion outlets. 

• Targeted outreach to businesses located in or serving Environmental Justice communities, in addition to minority and/or immigrant-owned businesses. 

View the full report and contact RecyclingWorks to learn more. 

RecyclingWorks is proud to support businesses and institutions that are striving to improve their recycling and waste reduction programs. We also recognize that our waste diversion impact is made possible by the many service providers who specialize in reduction, reuse, donation, and diversion of recyclable or banned materials; and collecting or processing food scraps for composting, animal feed or anaerobic digestion.