Deadline: 22-Jul-22
The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) is seeking applications for its Small Business Grants to qualified Massachusetts small businesses to change their processes or replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives.
Projects
- The most recent grant projects are:
- Rindge School of Technical Arts of Cambridge, will create a safer environment for students who learn and work in the automotive technology program by replacing solvents with bio-based parts washing systems. These safer products will replace aerosol brake and parts cleaners that contain solvents such as toluene, methanol, acetone and perchloroethylene (perc). The automotive technology program staff will also replace lead wheel weights, which are physically handled by students on a daily basis, with non-lead weights.
- North Randolph Cleaners will convert its dry cleaning shop from using perc, a likely human carcinogen, to Professional Wet Cleaning. This safer alternative allows the small businesses to clean “dry-clean-only” clothes with water and detergents in computer-controlled machines. Workers then use special tensioning and pressing equipment to achieve high-quality results. North Randolph Cleaners expects to eliminate the use of 200 gallons of perc annually, improve worker health and safety and market the shop as environmentally friendly.
Funding Information
- Grants of up to $10,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Both for-profit and not-for-profit entities that:
- Are small (typically less than 10 employees)
- Provide services directly to the community and consumers
- Are prepared to purchase and install new equipment or materials to reduce their use of toxic chemicals
- Will allow TURI to collect data on their materials usage or processes
- Small Business Sector Eligibility
- Massachusetts small businesses that may be eligible for this grant, and are of particular interest to TURI include, but are not limited to:
- Food or beverage processors (including microbreweries)
- Dry cleaners
- Auto repair, body or tire shops
- Car or truck washes
- Mortuaries
- Bathtub or furniture refinishers
- Restaurants
- Janitorial/house cleaning groups
- Gymnasiums
- Child care facilities
- Small business grants are NOT appropriate for projects focused on controlling exposure or emissions (such as ventilation) from a process that uses toxic chemicals or recycling of waste once generated.
- Massachusetts small businesses that may be eligible for this grant, and are of particular interest to TURI include, but are not limited to:
For more information, visit https://www.turi.org/Our_Work/Grants/Small_Business_Grants