Grant Recipient - United Teen Equality Center (UTEC), Lowell – Up to $152,000

For Immediate Release - July 08, 2016
 

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $917,000 to Help Businesses Increase Recycling of Glass, Other Hard to Recyle Materials

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded $917,000 in grants to seven companies under the Commonwealth’s Recycling Business Development Grant (RBDG) program to help increase the recycling of glass, mattresses and other hard-to-recycle materials.

“Recycling plays an important role in the Massachusetts economy, employing thousands of people and converting recyclable materials into valuable end products,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Continuing to advance opportunities to increase recycling not only helps protect our environment, but also creates jobs and supports our economy.”

“This grant program will help recycling processors and manufacturers in the Commonwealth to create sustainable markets for these materials and recycle items that would otherwise end up in landfills,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This investment also supports our communities, which benefit from increased demand and higher prices for recycled materials.”

The grant program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), will enable these companies to expand their recycling operations and increase the amount and quality of recycling now occurring across the Commonwealth. The program is funded through dedicated contributions of waste-to-energy facility renewable energy credits.

As a condition of receiving funding, grant recipients commit to meeting tonnage goals over a two-year period. The RBDG program targets difficult-to-recycle materials and this round of grants includes funds to promote the recovery of mattresses, packaged food, plastics and glass. 

“These businesses exemplify the innovative Massachusetts business environment and are making a positive impact on our environment,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Mathew Beaton. “Investments like this not only support the growth of viable Massachusetts businesses, but also help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment for future generations.”

“As individuals, one of the more impactful things we can do to protect our natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to fully participate in community recycling efforts,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “Under this program, these businesses complement our individual efforts and add value to the environment and our economy.”

The grant recipients are:
Aaron Industries, Leominster – Up to $75,000

Abby Enterprises, Inc., Marshfield – Up to $150,000

Casella Waste Management of Massachusetts, Inc., Auburn – Up to $100,000

Northstar Pulp & Paper Company, Inc., Springfield – Up to $90,000

Raw Material Recovery Corporation, Gardner – Up to $150,000

Recycleworks, Inc., East Weymouth – Up to $200,000

United Teen Equality Center (UTEC), Lowell – Up to $152,000
UTEC will purchase a roll-off truck, forklift, five roll-off containers, a trailer setup for heat-treating mattresses, and assorted warehouse tools including a pallet jack, air compressor, strapping tool and rolling bins. UTEC employees manually disassemble mattresses and box springs from residential and commercial sources to divert wood, steel, foam and textiles for recycling. The roll-off truck and containers will enable more efficient collection of mattresses. The hot trailer is set up to sanitize mattress springs so that they can be sold for use in “rebuilt” mattresses. The warehouse tools will increase the efficiency of the mattress-processing operation.

 “I applaud the Baker Administration for identifying the challenges associated with hard-to-recycle materials and for seeking a solution through the Commonwealth’s Recycling Business Development Grant Program,” said State Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr. (D-Lowell), Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.   “The United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) is the perfect partner for such a program.  UTEC has always made a positive impact on the Greater Lowell community, and this grant will only further enhance their efforts.”

For more information on the RBDG program, turn here:RBDG

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

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