MassDEP Announces Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announces the Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program. This grant program is focused on expanding the infrastructure for collection, reuse, recycling, and other defined processing for specified target materials.  These grants are intended to help foster sustainable markets for the targeted materials and products, thereby adding value to municipal and business recycling and reuse efforts.  The grant application and guidelines are available on MassDEP’s website here.

This round includes grants for both processing and collection of specified target materials.  An entity can apply for both collection and processing, but MassDEP will only award one grant per entity.

Evaluation Criteria: Evaluation criteria are detailed in the Grant Guidelines posted on the above web page.
Funding Availability: MassDEP anticipates awarding up to $3 million, subject to change contingent on the applications received and funding availability.  
Eligible Entities: For-profit and non-profit companies properly registered with the Secretary of State’s Office at the time of contracting, and meeting all grant eligibility criteria specified in the Grant Guidelines.  

Important Dates: 

• December 19, 2025 – Application opens, and formal question period begins. All questions must be submitted in writing to Sowayib Sikder (sowayib.sikder@mass.gov).  
• February 6, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET) – Deadline for questions to be submitted. 
• February 20 , 2026 – Answers to questions posted to website.  
• April 3, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET) – Application deadline.