Wakefield Delegation Announces $15,400 Grant to Support Recycling

BOSTON—Senator Jason Lewis, Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian, and Representative Donald Wong applauded the recent announcement that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) awarded the Town of Wakefield $15,400 through their Sustainable Materials Recovery Program.

The town may use Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grant funding to improve local recycling, composting, reuse, and household hazardous waste diversion programs. New to the program this year, grantees were encouraged to consider Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in their trash and recycling programs.

"I'm pleased to see Wakefield receiving this state grant to help support the community's recycling and waste reduction efforts," said Senator Jason Lewis. "As the co-founder and Senate Chair of the state legislature's Zero Waste Caucus, I'm committed to doing everything we can to support efforts at the local and state levels to reduce solid waste, especially single-use plastics that are harming our environment and public health."

"I'm pleased to see Wakefield receive state funds to maximize recycling, composting, and waste reduction programs," said Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. "I am confident that these funds will go a long way in promoting sustainability as we continue to look for ways to navigate the climate crisis."

“We are so appreciative to have been awarded a Sustainable Materials Recovery Program Municipal Grant from the MassDEP,” said Public Works Business Manager Ann Waitt. “This award will allow us to implement new opportunities for residents to reduce their weekly solid waste and create new avenues to recycle. It’s so exciting that we can now explore new programs and alternatives to recycling at the curb.”

The SMRP has awarded more than $50 million in grants since the program’s creation in 2010.