Waste Management & Recycling Program

Program Goals & Responsibilities

Information on the statutory roles and responsibilities of the program can be found under MRSA Title 38 Chapter 24

The Waste Management and Recycling Program is assigned three major areas of responsibility:

I. Planning

II. Technical & Financial Assistance to Municipalities

III. Solid Waste Disposal Facility Development

Program Element: Planning

Element Goal:

Ensure that Maine has sufficient environmentally beneficial and economically viable recycling and composting opportunities, and, solid waste disposal capacity.

Element Objectives:

• Perform necessary data collection to gauge level of recycling within the state
• Monitor solid waste generation and disposal data to establish capacity needs
• Manage the review of solid waste and recycling policies
• Recommend revisions to the state's 50% recycling goal, if appropriate
• Promote the concept and implementation of waste reduction and related efforts

Element Strategies:

• Survey municipalities and regional associations on their municipal solid waste activities to collect data on solid waste and recyclables managed (annually)
• Survey municipal solid waste incinerators to collect data on solid waste managed (annually)
• Survey brokers and handlers of both solid waste and recyclables (every 2 years)
• Evaluate solid waste disposal capacity for the State of Maine (every 2 years)
• Prepare an update to the State's Waste Management & Recycling plan (every 5 years) that:
  • Projects existing and potential demand for disposal capacity, going out 5-10-20 years
  • Provides a waste stream characterization
  • Furnishes a waste reduction and recycling assessment.
• Analyze data to assess capacity needs and related issues
• Maintain collected data for trend analyses
• Furnish data, support and technical assistance to decision makers

Program Element: Technical & Financial Assistance to Municipalities

Element Goal:

Furnish municipal decision makers with information, direction, and technical and financial assistance to aid them in managing their solid waste in an environmentally beneficial and cost effective manner. The solid waste management hierarchy serves as a guide in the development and providing of this assistance.

Element Objectives:

• Assist communities and regions with establishing and/or expanding recycling and composting programs
• Serve as a resource to communities, organizations and programs by providing information on waste reduction, recycling, composting and related solid waste management issues, including 'pay as you throw', solid waste ordinances and collection/hauling contracts
• Develop programs to aid communities in evaluating various solid waste management options, including Universal Wastes, mercury added products and household hazardous wastes
• Encourage communities to work together to achieve regional economies of scale with various solid waste management programs and activities
• Assist the business community to develop programs and services that are designed to promote the solid waste hierarchy, as resources allow
• Provide pilot project funding, as may be appropriate, to assist with evaluating options or implementation of strategies
• Assist programs with developing and expanding relationships with end-users and markets

Element Strategies:

• Design and award municipal recycling capital investment grants
• Test municipal or regional recycling program feasibility through the use of demonstration grants
• Maintain and promote an information clearinghouse on recycling markets
• Respond to requests for technical assistance
• Sponsor and coordinate the 'Maine Recycles Week' annual campaign to inform and educate Maine residents, schools and businesses on the value of 'recycling and buying recycled'
• Provide education, presentations and public informational activities relating to waste reduction, recycling and other waste management practices to Maine citizens, schools and communities
• Expand technical assistance services by working with trade associations and planning councils
• Maintain an active Web Site (www.recyclemaine.com) to assist communities in exploring program options and as a teaching tool for schools
• Remain current with regional, national and international solid waste trends, developments and laws, for their effects and relevance to Maine's MSW management
• Deliver workshops, coordinated with the DEP and MRRA, as appropriate
• Develop and provide a quarterly newsletter to inform municipalities, businesses and other interested parties of new solid waste developments and programs

Program Element: Solid Waste Disposal Facility Development

Element Goal:

Plan for the development of facility (ies) sufficient to meet disposal needs for municipal solid waste generated within Maine, as identified in the state plan, and, to plan for development of facilities for special wastes identified in the state plan. Provide appropriate assistance, when requested, in the development of regional solid waste disposal facilities.

Element Objectives:

• Site, design and permit solid waste disposal facility(ies) in accordance with the needs and process identified in the state plan and any revisions to that plan.

Element Strategies:

• Purchase former paper mill landfill in Old Town (named Juniper Ridge) and contract for its operation to service the disposal needs of the state
• Monitor Juniper Ridge Landfill’s activities
• Continue collection and management of both statewide and regional solid waste generation and disposal data to assist in preparing for future development of additional disposal capacity
• Maintain permit and license for the Carpenter Ridge landfill site/facility
• Recommend construction and operation of this facility at the appropriate time, as conditions and situations demand

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