Apply for a Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) Municipal Grant

Next steps

1. What to Know

   MassDEP Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) Municipal Grant funding may be used to improve local recycling, composting, reuse, and household hazardous waste diversion programs.

   Cities, towns, and regional authorities are eligible to apply.

2. Available SMRP Grants

   The documents below describe SMRP grant offerings, including eligibility criteria and how funds may be used.

   Open PDF file, 724.54 KB,  Details: Drop-off Recycling Equipment (English, PDF 724.54 KB)

   Open PDF file, 534.6 KB,  Details: Food Waste Collection Carts (English, PDF 534.6 KB)

   Open PDF file, 674.41 KB,  Details: Pay-As-You Throw (PAYT) Funds (English, PDF 674.41 KB)

   Open PDF file, 1.38 MB,  Details: Recycling Dividends Program (English, PDF 1.38 MB)

   Open PDF file, 442.18 KB,  Details: Regional Small-Scale Initiatives (English, PDF 442.18 KB)

   Open PDF file, 439.79 KB,  Details: Waste Reduction / Organics Capacity / Household Hazardous Waste Facility (English, PDF 439.79 KB)

   Open DOCX file, 73.01 KB,  Mandatory Proposal Outline: Waste Reduction / Organics Capacity / Household Hazardous Waste Projects (English, DOCX 73.01 KB)

3. Learn More About Applying

   To help communities apply for SMRP Municipal Grant funds, MassDEP held a webinar on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, to review grant applications. Presentation slides and a recording are available below.

   Powerpoint Presentation Slides

   View Webinar Recording

   The formal Q&A period for the Spring25 SMRP grant cycle is now closed. Official responses to questions received during this time are be posted below.

   SMRP Response to Questions

4. Meet Minimum Eligibility Criteria

   Before applying for SMRP funding, applicants must complete and submit a Certification of Minimum Eligibility Criteria form through Re-TRAC Connect™.  All applicants must certify that they have a "Buy Recycled" Policy in place and all purchasing staff are knowledgeable about it. Municipal applicants are required to submit a copy of the Notification of Buy Recycled Policy with their Certification of SMRP Minimum Eligibility Criteria form.

   MassDEP encourages municipalities to adopt a broader Sustainable Purchasing Policy or EPP Procurement Policy as it will be a requirement of the Spring 2026 grant cycle. More guidance about this requirement will be available prior to the next grant cycle.

   If you have questions or need help, please contact the MassDEP Municipal Assistance Coordinator (MAC) serving your part of the state.

   Open PDF file, 202.23 KB,  Certification of SMRP Minimum Eligibility Criteria (English, PDF 202.23 KB)

   Open PDF file, 72.43 KB,  Model "Buy Recycled" Policy (English, PDF 72.43 KB)

   Open PDF file, 946.39 KB,  Presentation: Notification of "Buy Recycled" Policy (English, PDF 946.39 KB)

   Webinar Playback: Buy Smart! Buy Recycled 

5. Complete & Submit a Grant Application

   Submit your application via Re-TRAC Connect™.

   Please note that MassDEP has established a Re-TRAC Connect™ account for each municipality. If you have forgotten your account login, contact Rebecca Ferguson.

   See other details below.

   APPLY ONLINE: Re-TRAC Connect™ 

6. MassDEP Reviews All Applications

   The agency spends several weeks reviewing and evaluating the applications it has received from cities, towns, and regional authorities. MassDEP announces its award decisions at the end of this process.