RecyclingWorks MA

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Groton, MA
RecyclingWorks MA

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RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts helps businesses and institutions maximize recycling, reuse, and food recovery opportunities.

RecyclingWorks is funded by MassDEP and administered by CET.

10/15/2026

We have resources that can help you understand MA waste bans, how they affect your business, and how to receive support.

To reduce the volume of trash disposed in the state, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) bans certain toxic, recyclable, and food materials from the trash.

Commercial Food Material Disposal Ban: Effective November 1, 2022, the MassDEP lowered the threshold for the commercial food material disposal ban so that it applies to businesses and institutions generating one-half ton or more food waste per week.

Go to our website for information and guidance regarding these waste bans.

10/13/2026

This Compost Site Operators Practical Skills Workshop goes beyond a classroom presentation, combining expert-led instruction with hands-on learning at Black Earth Compost's site in Groton, MA.

Participants will explore:
✅ Recipe development for successful composting
✅ Pile monitoring and management techniques
✅ Site design and operational best practices
✅ Real-world examples and field demonstrations

If you're looking to improve your composting knowledge and operations, this workshop is designed for you.

📅 October 22, 2026
🔗 Register by October 19: recyclingworksma.com/events/ or at the link in our bio!

10/09/2026

This year marks 15 years of RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts.

Over the past 15 years, this program has helped businesses and institutions across the Commonwealth reduce waste, recover resources, and improve materials management practices. 2026 brought measurable progress in food recovery, waste diversion, and outreach efforts across the state.

Here are three highlights from the 2026 Annual Report.

Read the full report on our website:
https://recyclingworksma.com/2026annualreportblog/

10/07/2026

Seats are filling up for RecyclingWorks MA's upcoming Compost Site Operators Practical Skills Workshop on October 22nd.

Whether you operate an agricultural, municipal, private, or community composting site, this workshop offers practical guidance you can put into action right away.

Participants will learn best practices for:
🌱 Recipe development
🌡️ Pile monitoring and management
♻️ Compost basics
📍 Site design and operational principles

The workshop is free, but registration is required.

🔗 Save your spot today: https://recyclingworksma.com/events/2026-recyclingworks-compost-site-operators-practical-skills-workshop/

10/05/2026

♻️ From reusable trays to bulk ketchup dispensers, Arlington Public Schools is showing how small changes can add up to a big impact.

With leadership from students, staff, and sustainability champions across the district, Arlington has:
✅ Prevented the use of more than 50,000 single-use trays annually at one school
✅ Eliminated over 215,000 disposable utensils per year across multiple schools
✅ Replaced single-use ketchup cups with bulk dispensers, preventing more than 50,000 cups from entering the waste stream each year

These efforts save money, support existing diversion programs, and create hands-on opportunities for students to lead sustainability initiatives.

Read the full spotlight to learn how Arlington's approach to reuse, composting, and student engagement is making a difference across the district. 🔗 recyclingworksma.com/reuse-composting-at-arlington-public-schools/

10/03/2026

Meet the Ripeness Ranger

They know exactly how and where produce ripens — because storage location changes everything.

Some produce (apples, avocados, tomatoes, bananas) gives off ETHYLENE gas as it ripens, which speeds up RIPENING and SPOILAGE in whatever’s nearby. Keep those separated from produce that’s sensitive to it, like leafy greens and potatoes, if you want things to last.

Separately: onions and potatoes should never share a bin. It’s not about ethylene, potatoes give off moisture that makes onions rot faster, and onions release gases that make potatoes sprout sooner. Different drawers, different problem, same result: keep em separated!

Fridge or counter also matters. Tomatoes, bananas, and potatoes stay on the counter — cold kills their flavor and texture. Most everything else that’s already ripe goes in the fridge to slow things down.
Food Waste Prevention Week
.

10/02/2026

Meet the Sniff Sleuth
They trust their senses over the date on the label — and they’re onto something.

A significant amount of food gets tossed simply because people misread “Best By” as “Unsafe After.” ReFED estimates that “Confusion over the meaning of date labels is estimated to account for about 7% of all consumer waste.”

Generally speaking, date labels signal peak quality, not safety. One notable exception is infant formula, which is the only product regulated by the federal government to have a “Use by” date to indicate acceptable quality and safety.

Everything else? Trust your senses. Quick tip from us: most dairy is still good up to 7 days past the date if it’s been kept cold — but the real test is simple. Smells right, tastes right, it’s good. Smells off? Trust that instead.

09/30/2026

Looking to launch a food scrap composting site or strengthen your existing composting operation?

Join RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts for a free Compost Site Operators Practical Skills Workshop on October 22, 2026.

This full-day workshop will feature classroom instruction and hands-on field learning at Black Earth Compost in Groton, led in collaboration with composting experts James McSweeney of Compost Technical Services, and The 131° School of Composting.

✅ Free to attend
✅ Practical, real-world training
✅ Classroom + field instruction

Priority registration is available for Massachusetts compost site operators and those interested in starting a commercial or community composting operation.

🔗 Register today: https://recyclingworksma.com/events/2026-recyclingworks-compost-site-operators-practical-skills-workshop/

09/14/2026

♻️ Looking to reduce waste, improve recycling efforts, or expand food recovery at your organization?
Our services include:
✅ Recycling tools and guidance
✅ Customized waste reduction and waste reduction assistance
✅ Food waste prevention, donation, and diversion strategies
✅ Reuse and resource recovery opportunities
✅ Sector-specific resources to support compliance with Massachusetts waste disposal regulations

Whether you're launching a new program or strengthening existing sustainability efforts, our team can help identify practical solutions tailored to your organization's needs.

Learn more about our free resources and support at RecyclingWorksMA.com.
📞 (888) 254-5525
📧 [email protected]

09/04/2026

You may have noticed that our website looks a little different...

We’ve refreshed the RecyclingWorks MA website to make it easier for businesses to find the tools and guidance they need to reduce waste and improve operations.

In addition to the homepage, take a look at these recently updated pages!
- Blog
- Find a Recycler
- Case Studies

Address

Groton, MA
01450

Website

http://www.recyclingworksma.com/

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