Barnstable County Announces Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) Award
$125K in grants awarded to Cape Cod Cooperative Extension for the establishment of a regional household hazardous waste (HHW) collection center
May 11, 2021(Barnstable, MA) – Barnstable County is pleased to announce that the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, a department of Barnstable County Regional Government, has been awarded a total of $125K through a Sustainable Materials Recovery Program Municipal Grant (SMRP) from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). SMRP grants support local recycling, composting/organics, reuse, source reduction, policy development, and enforcement activities that increase diversion and reduce disposal to municipalities across the Commonwealth; this award will be used towards the establishment of a regional household hazardous waste (HHW) collection center to serve Cape Cod municipalities.
The 125K grant to Barnstable County is a portion of $1.3 million awarded to mostly municipalities across the Commonwealth. Cape Cod Cooperative Extension received the most significant funding out of 49 recipients; the grant will benefit all 15 towns on Cape Cod. An alphabetical list of the cities, towns, regional groups, and non-profit organizations in Massachusetts that have been awarded funds from this grant program can be found here.
Kalliope Chute, Hazardous Materials Environmental Specialist at the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and who has led the Household Hazardous Waste Program since 2016 said, “This grant is integral for all residents and small businesses on Cape Cod to have year-round access to a safe and appropriate disposal location. Safe collection of household hazardous waste protects Cape Cod’s vulnerable drinking water supply, a largely unconfined sole-source aquifer, and boosts the resiliency of the area to the effects of climate change. This grant protects first responders, cleans up our trash and recycling, and strengthens our economy, which rests on access to clean water.”
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension is anticipating the construction of a facility that will reduce costs to Cape municipalities and provide a convenient outlet for residents and small businesses to dispose of unwanted household chemicals safely. The collection center will also offer education on less toxic alternatives and promote household products that are still viable. A project of this scope takes several years before completion, Barnstable County looks forward to offering residents and small businesses this valuable service.
Michael Maguire, Director of the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, said, “With these funds, we will be able to continue the important work we do to reduce waste, reuse, and improve recycling on Cape Cod.”
The Household Hazardous Waste Collections will also continue with their 2021 collection schedule at individual municipal sites. The number and frequency of collections vary by town. To view the 2021 schedule, please visit https://www.capecodextension.org/hazardouswaste/hhw/
About Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension is the education department for Barnstable County. Educational programs focus on agriculture, marine resources, horticulture, aquaculture, natural resources, water quality, recycling, household hazardous waste, nutrition, food safety, youth development and environmental education issues facing the county. Extension programs are conducted in Barnstable County in cooperation with the staff at the University of Massachusetts, and The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution–Sea Grant program. Visit www.capecodextension.org
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