Maine towns’ trash disposal future in limbo as buyer sought for beleaguered plant

Recycling

Published
June 17, 2020

Maine towns’ trash disposal future in limbo as buyer sought for beleaguered plant

The Municipal Review Committee updated members Wednesday on its efforts to find a new buyer and operator after Coastal Maine LLC suspended operations last month at the Fiberight plant in Hampden.
Published
June 12, 2020

Central Maine towns want Hampden trash plant using Fiberight technology to reopen

Since Coastal Resources LLC suspended operations May 28 after being unable to get a $14.7 million loan, area towns have been sending their trash to Waste Management-Crossroads Landfill in Norridgewock, but they hope Coastal will be back up and running with help from the Municipal Review Committee.
Published
April 13, 2020

Garbage on the rise in Maine during pandemic, but recycling remains vital

Recycled cardboard and paper keep the supply chain moving for makers of toilet paper and cardboard boxes destined to be part of future shipments to grocery stores and hospitals.
Published
February 26, 2020

Two sides clash on bill to make producers pay for disposal of packaging

Supporters tell lawmakers that making producers pay to dispose of packaging waste would improve recycling programs and help taxpayers. Businesses and national trade groups say it would be expensive, disruptive and hard to follow.
Published
February 26, 2020

Commentary: Proposed $23 million ‘pack tax’ won’t solve Maine’s recycling problems

Requiring businesses to compensate municipalities for the cost of recycling packaging simply shifts costs.

Published
February 4, 2020

Summer monitoring program improves Portland-area recycling quality

Residents in 4 communities showed improvement in removing contamination from recyclables – and saving their municipalities money – when interns from ecomaine graded their curbside recycling bins.
Published
January 22, 2020

Bill pending in Maine to make producers pay for disposal of packaging

Maine is drafting a first-in-the-nation law to shift the cost of disposing of packaging materials from consumers to private companies.
Published
January 18, 2020

Commentary: Make it easier for Maine shoppers to avoid single-use plastic

L.D. 1933 aims to make refilling your own containers more widely accepted at grocery stores.
Published
December 2, 2019

Sen. Collins backs bill to bolster local recycling rates across the country

Maine's senior senator is among the backers of a $75 million U.S. Senate proposal to educate Americans about how and why they ought to recycle.
Published
November 28, 2019

Fiberight waste facility opens doors after delays, serving central Maine region

After more than a year of delays, the Hampden-based trash-to-fuel plant is processing trash from 115 Maine communities, and hopes to see that number climb.