Dep-Baw-Noi-2025-Wrig-Grant Announcement Only

Background
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is launching the Waste Reduction Innovations Grant (WRIG) to support businesses, organizations, and institutions in Massachusetts that are implementing innovative waste reduction, reuse, and recovery strategies.

This initiative aligns with the 2030 Massachusetts Solid Waste Master Plan, which aims to reduce waste disposal by 30% from the 2018 baseline. The WRIG seeks to enhance materials management infrastructure and promote sustainable practices that yield positive environmental, social, and economic impacts.

Work Details
The WRIG will award grants in two categories:
1. **Start Up and Pilot Projects (Category 1)**: Funding between $50,000 and $100,000 for pilot-scale projects with commercialization potential. Eligible activities include processing (recycling, composting), manufacturing products from diverted materials, and reuse activities. Ineligible expenses include energy recovery from combustion and administrative costs.

2. **Innovative Capital Investment (Category 2)**: Funding between $500,000 and $2 million for capital projects involving new technology or equipment not currently available in Massachusetts. Eligible materials include textiles, container glass, construction and demolition materials, bulky items like furniture and plastics, and lithium batteries. Ineligible activities include energy recovery from combustion and collection or hauling activities.

Period of Performance
The contract duration is up to 18 months for Category 1 projects and up to 36 months for Category 2 projects from the time of full contract execution.

Place of Performance
All grant-funded activities must be conducted within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Bidder Requirements
Applicants must be registered with the Secretary of State’s office in Massachusetts at the time of contracting. They must have no active unresolved higher-level enforcement actions against them and must demonstrate a direct economic benefit to Massachusetts through their project.