The Maine State Planning Office is directed by the Legislature to develop state policies that promote a balance between economic growth and natural resource conservation. To fulfill that charge within the scope of its mission, the Waste Management and Recycling Program continues to ensure sufficient land disposal capacity within our borders to meet the needs of today’s waste management system and the economy that depends upon it. At the same time, we encourage the development of waste-to-resource systems that reduce waste destined for disposal, with the dual aims of alleviating our impacts on Maine’s health and environment and enhancing Maine’s economy and quality of place.
The state has made significant progress in reducing, reusing, and recycling its municipal solid waste.
- The state’s recycling rate for 2008 was 38.7 %.
- Public recycling services have expanded to serve over 98% of our population.
- Businesses have adopted and implemented recycling programs that support the state’s objectives.
- Toxics in the solid waste stream have been reduced by banning them from disposal. These include: mercury-added products, cell phones, and cathode ray tubes (CRTs) found in computer monitors and televisions, and requiring the recycling of hazardous consumer products known as ‘universal wastes’.
- The number of municipalities offering collection programs to divert and safely manage household hazardous waste (HHW) has grown to 227 municipalities in 2008. Additionally, two permanent HHW collection facilities have been established to better serve the on-going household hazardous waste management needs of Maine’s residents.
Nearly 100% of the state’s unlicensed, unlined, substandard landfills have been capped and closed, significantly reducing their impacts on Maine’s environment.
Items of Interest:
Maine Government Finance Officers Association
Single Stream Recycling & Pay Per Bag Initiatives - February 26, 2010 (PDF 2.07MB)
NEW - Assessment of State-owned Landfill Management and Oversight - February 5, 2010 (PDF 3.02MB)
NEW - 2009 Annual Solid Waste Management Report: Cover Letter and Instructions (1.26MB) pdf.
Reporting Forms:
- PDF format - Print, complete, and mail form to DEP (150KB)
- Word format - Fill in on line, print, and mail form to DEP (379KB)
List of Conversion Factors (52KB PDF)
- PLEASE NOTE: The Annual Solid Waste Management Report should be printed and sent to: Vicky Bryant, MDEP, 17 SHS, Augusta, Maine 04333-0017. Transfer Stations should sumbit 2 copies. Landfills should submit 3 copies. See Cover Letter and Instructions for further information.
Maine Recycles Campaign – Recycling Works!
Next time you are enjoying yourself at a favorite restaurant or bar, take a peek underneath your glass. You may find a colorful coaster encouraging you to recycle! Thanks to a partnership of the Maine Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, the Maine State Planning Office, and the Maine Recycles Campaign, recycling “coasters and posters” are appearing in local restaurants and bars. It’s another way to remind us that “Recycling works!” The coasters explain that “Every day we use things made from recycled materials.” And one quick example is the coaster itself - - like its matching poster, it’s made from recycled paper and can be reused, and recycled when no longer useful.
Mainers do a good job of recycling, averaging a state recycling rate of 35%, but we need to do better to reach the state’s 50% recycling goal. Perhaps with friendly coasters and posters and special help from the MBWWA, it will be easier to remember that recycling works, and is one of the simplest ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and help our environment.
Safe Option for Disposal of Unused and Expired Medicine
The Safe Medicine Disposal for ME program provides Maine's residents with a safe disposal option for unused and unwanted medicine. Free medicine mail back envelopes are available at participating sites. This program is funded through a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Aging Initiative. For information please visit: http://www.safemeddisposal.com/ .
Safe Medicine Disposal for ME Program
The Maine Resource Recovery Association is again offering compost bins, kitchen collection ‘pails’, hand compost turners and rain barrels for sale, in bulk quantities, at reduced prices. For more information on participating in this opportunity, visit http://www.mrra.net
Compact Fluorescent Recycling Program
Efficiency Maine, a program through the Maine Public Utilities Commission, just launched a statewide CFL bulb recycling program. You can now bring your used (unbroken) CFL bulbs to any participating store for free recycling. Note: CFL bulbs must be recycled and cannot be disposed of in the trash because they contain small amounts of mercury. Or you can contact your local transfer station or municipal office to see if they accept these bulbs for recycling. An Excel spreadsheet (sheet 3) that lists the public facilities is available on the Department of Environmental Protection's website.
