Berkshire Waste Reduction Businesses Awarded Grants
ADAMS, Mass. — Second Chance Composting, Dream Green Recycling of the Berkshires, and Tommy's Compost Service were awarded Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's (MassDEP) Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grants (RBDG).
Second Chance Composting of Cheshire was awarded up to $100,000.
Dream Green Recycling of the Berkshires in Adams was awarded up to $150,000.
Tommy's Compost Service in Cheshire was awarded up to $50,000.
"Massachusetts is taking action on waste reduction with smart solutions," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "We are investing in reuse, recycling, and composting. This cuts waste and sets the stage for responsible resource management."
MassDEP's RBDG Program includes collection and processing grants designed to invest in businesses that maximize the recovery of valuable materials and resources. The program will provide $565,000 to 10 businesses to improve their recycling collection for materials prohibited from disposal, including mattresses, textiles and commercial food waste. Over $1.2 million will go to support 11 businesses in stating or expanding reuse, recycling, or composting operations.
The RBDG Program requires companies that receive grants to create measurable economic benefits for Massachusetts. They must also use the grant-funded equipment only for collecting or processing specific materials in the state for at least three years. RBDG collection grants are available for projects that collect certain materials, including surplus food for donation, food waste for animal feed, composting, or anaerobic digestion, as well as mattresses and textiles. The processing grants support projects that reuse or process certain materials, such as container glass, bulky reusable items, construction and demolition materials, textiles, food, and mattresses.
