For technical assistance, grants and support of efforts consistent with the Massachusetts Recycling and Solid Waste Master Plan and the Massachusetts Climate Protection Plan; provided, that funds may be expended for a recycling industries reimbursement grant program under
section 241 of chapter 43 of the acts of 1997; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the department of environmental protection, in coordination with the department of agricultural resources, to develop and administer a grant program for small businesses located in the commonwealth to implement composting; provided further, that grants may be used by grantees to obtain compost collection containers, procure educational or technical assistance, establish regular collection of food waste and other compostable matter or other similar composting efforts or activities; provided further, that agricultural businesses and food service establishments shall be prioritized in the grant application review process; provided further, that not later than April 1, 2024, the department of environmental protection, in coordination with the department of agricultural resources, shall submit a report to the senate and house committees on ways and means and the joint committee on environment and natural resources on the implementation of the grant program, including, but not limited to, the names and locations of the grantees, the number of pounds of food waste and other compostable matter collected and information about where the waste was diverted; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for the department of environmental protection to develop an employment social enterprise impact pilot program to provide funding for at least 1 nonprofit entity to provide recycling services with the overall goal of fostering job security for individuals facing barriers to employment through the provision of mattress recycling work opportunities; provided further, that eligible applicants shall have a demonstrated history of providing mattress recycling services in the commonwealth as an approved vendor to the department for not less than 5 years; and provided further, that contracts through the program may be awarded for periods of not more than 5 years
