Barnstable County officials recently announced that 18 towns across the Cape Cod and Islands region were recipients of a total of $207,350 in state funds. The money was awarded through the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) 2021 Recycling Dividends Program (RDP), part of the agency’s Sustainable Materials Recovery Program. The program recognizes municipalities that have developed policies proven to help reuse and recycle materials.
The funds must be utilized to further the municipal recycling programs and policies, such as through purchasing new bins or carts, public education, outreach campaigns or collection of hard-to-recycle items. The money can also fund recycling programs in schools, municipal buildings and other public spaces. “It is exciting to see towns on the Cape and Islands recognized for their sustainability efforts,” said Barnstable County Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Municipal Assistance Coordinator Kari Parcell in a statement.
“The Recycling Dividends program helps these communities grow their reuse and recycling programs, ultimately reducing waste and helping our environment. With these funds, MassDEP has responded to the individual needs and challenges of the 18 municipalities, and this will help improve and expand programs at these solid waste facilities.”