Salem Receives State Grant to Expand Recycling in Schools

$30,000 grant awarded through MassDEP’s Sustainable Materials Recovery Program
recycling

On America Recycles Day, November 15, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that 57 Massachusetts cities and towns would receive grants through the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Sustainable Materials Recovery Program. The City of Salem was awarded a grant of $30,000 to expand its recycling efforts in the Salem Public Schools.

“My thanks to Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito, and the team at MassDEP for awarding Salem with this recycling grant and to our own staff who worked on the application for it,” said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who also chairs the Salem School Committee. “By broadening and enhancing our recycling operations in our public school buildings, we will not only reduce the amount of solid waste our city generates, we can help instill in our students a stronger appreciation for the importance of recycling.”

“Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grants are an opportunity for the Commonwealth to partner with cities and towns to protect our environment and encourage recycling that will lead to less greenhouse gas emissions and save money on waste disposal,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through the SMRP, our administration remains committed to supporting local waste reduction efforts that improve the health of our communities and the vitality of our businesses.”

The Green Communities Act requires that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Waste Energy Certificates (WECs) be directed to recycling programs approved by MassDEP. The WEC payments received by MassDEP are deposited into the SMRP Expendable Trust, which is used to fund grants, technical assistance and education to help communities, businesses and institutions increase recycling and reduce waste. The SMRP program has provided more than $28 million for recycling program since 2010.