Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Waste Reduction Innovations Grant

The Waste Reduction Innovations Grant supports businesses, start-ups and non-profit organizations looking to implement new technologies that expand recycling and reuse infrastructure in Massachusetts. Applicants should apply to one of the two categories: Start-Up and Pilot Projects and Innovative Capital Investments. Find more information about the eligibility criteria and grant guidelines on the MassDEP website.

Deadline: July 15, 2025, 11:59 PM ET

It's NOAA Beach Safety Week!

Summer is around the corner and I hope you are making plans to head to your favorite beach! But first, let's review a few safety reminders. Check out these helpful tips and resources put together for NOAA Beach Safety Week. Find information about common beach safety hazards like riptides and debris. Plus, learn how to check your beach forecast to make sure that tides, currents, weather, or bacteria levels won't get in the way of your fun beach plans!

2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season: Predictions and Preparedness

June 1 marked the beginning of Atlantic hurricane season. While the Northeast may typically experience fewer hurricanes than our neighbors down south, it's still important to stay up to date with the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and consider making a hurricane plan and kit for your household. Storms are a major source of marine debris! Read up on how you can prepare your home, yard, and belongings for a storm to reduce your contributions to storm-related marine debris.

For responders, emergency management professionals, and concerned community members, the United States Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide outlines existing federal response structures to serve as a reference for all states and territories, supporting regional and national planning efforts.

Please keep in touch with the northeast MDP team about how storms are impacting debris on your coastline. We want to hear from you!

Become a NOAA Ocean Guardian School

The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, in partnership with the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation, is seeking applications for the Ocean Guardian Schools program. Ocean Guardian Schools are committed to the stewardship of their local watershed, the world's ocean, and special areas, like national marine sanctuaries. Ocean Guardian Schools will provide opportunities for students, educators, and the larger school community to learn about issues facing their local watershed and our global ocean, engage in marine conservation projects, and promote environmental best practices within the school and the broader community. Learn more about becoming an Ocean Guardian School!

Deadline: July 1, 2025

Join the Massachusetts COASTSWEEP

Massachusetts COASTSWEEP is an annual cleanup effort organized by the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management office. Sign up now to coordinate a cleanup at your favorite beach, marsh, dive site, or riverside anytime from late August to November.

Each year, volunteers throughout Massachusetts and beyond turn out in large numbers to clean their local beaches in the fall as part of the International Coastal Cleanup campaign. The data you collect during your cleanup will be sent to the Ocean Conservancy where it will be used to reduce future marine debris.

To sign up to be a cleanup coordinator or volunteer at a cleanup, see the COASTSWEEP website.

Get in Your Sanctuary Photo Contest

Looking for an outdoor activity to add to your summer bucket list? Show the world what the ocean and Great Lakes mean to you through photography! Head to your favorite marine sanctuary and snap some pictures of the sunset, scenery, wildlife, or responsible recreation. Submit your photos by September 1, 2025 to the Get In Your Sanctuary Photo Contest webpage. The top photos will be featured in the Earth is Blue social media campaign!

Deadline: September 1, 2025

Baxter Academy Plastics Project at the Wells Reserve

The Baxter Academy Plastics Project is a student-led initiative which aims to study plastic pollution and pathways to repurpose plastics while spreading awareness throughout the community. Since 2021, Baxter Academy students have been working together to gather and transform marine debris into meaningful art pieces. The work has been displayed at the Maine State Science Fair, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute's Student Symposium, and even on the NASA website. Visit the students' latest marine debris art installation, Awash Art in the gallery at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm in Wells, Maine, open to the public during business hours through July 20.

Seaside Sustainability Shrink Wrap Recycling Program

Recycle your clean shrink wrap on Cape Ann with Seaside Sustainability! This recycling service is provided at no cost to marinas and boat owners in efforts to help boaters preserve and protect our oceans. Collection bins in Manchester, Gloucester, Essex, and Rockport are open to the public Monday through Friday during business hours from May to June. Marina membership is not required. Learn more about the Seaside Sustainability Shrink Wrap Recycling Program.

Massachusetts Environmental Education Portal

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful has launched a new environmental education portal! This online library includes content and lessons for students aged K-12 related to litter, plastic pollution, recycling, compost, and more. Check out the Massachusetts Environmental Education Portal and submit your education resources!

From Junk to Sunk - A Debris Removal Success Story

In this new section of our newsletter, we will end with a bit of good marine debris news!

Congratulations to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management on the successful removal of a 114 foot-long sunken, crane-topped barge, often referred to as the Ginalski Barge, from the working waterfront of the Providence River earlier this year. This removal effort was no small feat! After all was said and done, the materials removed weighed over 1 million pounds. Check out this video to see how they got it done!

Looking ahead, the project team will partner with The Steel Yard to transform steel salvaged from the barge to create art to be installed at a nearby waterfront public access point.