SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The Haverhill area cities and towns aim to bolster their recycling programs, with the help of state grants.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) had awarded a grant of $31,500 to Haverhill, after being credited with a total of nine points in twelve different categories. It must be noted that the EPA had allotted $5.2 million in grants to as many as 283 communities and solid waste districts across Massachusetts.

The grant money will be used to maintain recycling, composting and waste reduction programs. In addition, it will fund city’s efforts to expand the types of materials accepted at the Recycling Center. The money will be also used for creating bilingual informational door hangers, which has been a long-pending demand of residents. In addition, the city will install a new recycling compactor and set up security cameras around the city in order to prevent illegal dumping.

Gov. Maura Healey noted that prevention of waste coupled with recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly. The grants will drive investment in waste reduction industry, which in turn will boost local economies. In addition, it will help it to move closer to its ambitious goal of 90% waste reduction by 2050.