Hazardous & Special Waste Disposal

Limited-acceptance appliances include: air conditioners, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, water coolers, freezers

Where to go: these items may be accepted at ecomaine for a special fee (in addition to gate minimum and tonnage); contact us for current rates. You may find more convenient disposal at Riverside Recycling in Portland or through your local transfer station or public works department.

All asbestos is considered unacceptable waste. 

Where to go: Disposal is regulated by the DEP. Asbestos must be removed by a DEP licensed “non-hazardous waste transporter” to landfill. See DEP for info. 

Unacceptable ash includes: Ash generated from commercial burners

Where to go: Juniper Ridge landfill or local transfer station

Unacceptable waste includes: car batteries, boat batteries

Where to go: these batteries are accepted at some specialty retailers and auto parts stores

Unacceptable batteries include: power banks and rechargeable batteries such as those found in smartphones, laptops, digital cameras, power tools, e-bikes, drones, and e-cigarettes

Where to go: most rechargeable batteries are accepted for recycling at Staples; or use Call2Recycle.org to find other drop-off locations.

Unacceptable biomedical / infection waste: All contaminated hospital wastes as defined by the Federal & State regulations

Where to go: Must go to a designated infectious/hazardous waste facility (See MDEP for more information)

Unacceptable Photo Prints include: Any film based on the silver emulsion process

Where to go: Riverside Recycling

Unacceptable bulky waste includes: Vinyl windows, pressure treated wood, telephone poles or railroad ties, soil, rocks, wallboard, sheetrock, shingles, metal, white goods (refrigerator, air conditioner, microwave ovens, etc.), other non-combustible materials.

Where to go: Your local transfer station or Riverside Recycling (soil brought to Riverside Recycling must be tested)

Unacceptable demolition waste includes: Aluminum flashing, Asphalt, AZEK decking boards, Cement, Concrete, Dry paint chips, Sheet rock, Shutters, Shingles; all building demolition waste except by special permission based on evaluation of source

Where to go: options may include Riverside Recycling (Portland); your local transfer station; Juniper Ridge landfill; Habitat for Humanity (for materials in usable condition)

Unacceptable e-waste includes: Televisions, computer central processing units (CPUs) and cathode ray tubes (CRTs), air conditioners, copy machines, crock pots, dishwashers, lamps; any items with cords or electronic components, smoke detectors.

Where to go: Riverside Recycling (Portland); your local transfer station; drop-off recycling sites including Staples, Target, Goodwill, GiveITGetIT; e-Waste pick-up services (Computer-Be-Gone)

Unacceptable fish waste includes: All fish wastes from processors

Where to go:  Contact a MDEP approved Composting Facility , Secure EPA dumping permit if applicable.

Unacceptable HHW includes: Chemicals (household cleaners, acetone, bleach, brake fluid, lighter fluid, antifreeze, etc.), compressed tanks and cartridges (propane, carbon dioxide, etc.), other corrosive, reactive, or toxic wastes (more information from MDEP.)

Where to go: Hazardous household waste drop-off days (check local transfer station for dates); or Riverside Recycling hazardous household waste day (1^st Saturday of each month April-November, 7:30a-1:00p)

Unacceptable mercury-containing materials include: mercury thermometers, fluorescent lamps, thermostats.

Where to go: Mercury thermostats from Maine buildings are eligible for buy-back at ecomaine for $5 each (email info@ecomaine.org for information); OR check thermostat-recycle.org for additional buy-back locations.

All Other Mercury-containing Materials: bring to Hazardous household waste drop-off days (check local transfer station for dates); or Riverside Recycling hazardous household waste day (1^st Saturday of each month April-November, 7:30a-1:00p).

Maine law requires the recycling of all cell phones. These are not accepted in single-sort recycling.

Where to go: Any cell phone retailer; other take-back locations include Staples and Goodwill ; or use Call2Recycle.org to find other drop-off locations.

All paint is considered unacceptable waste.

Where to go: Paintcare.org provides a searchable list of drop-off sites.

Includes: tanks of gas or propane of any size

Where to go: Hazardous household waste drop-off days (check local transfer station for dates); or Riverside Recycling hazardous household waste day (1^st Saturday of each month April-November, 7:30a-1:00p); see recommendations from the Maine DEP.

Unacceptable stumps, brush, and trees include: All stumps from excavation, any wood materials over 4.5 feet long OR 8 inches in diameter.

Where to go: Local transfer station or Riverside Recycling (Portland)

Unspent fireworks must be prepared for disposal as follows, as described by the MDEP:

• Completely submerge fireworks in a large bucket of water and soak until thoroughly saturated. This may take 15 minutes for small fireworks or as long as overnight for larger ones.
• Double wrap the completely soaked fireworks in plastic wrap or two plastic bags so they do not dry out.
• Place the double-bagged fireworks in the household trash.

If unspent fireworks cannot be prepped as described above, contact your local fire department for guidance.

Only accepted with permission under specific conditions: Contact ecomaine at info@ecomaine.org or 207-773-1738; or local transfer station for guidance.

Unacceptable oily waste includes: Any liquid oil

Clean, used motor oil (no gas/oil mixtures) can be dropped off to be re-blended and burned. For a list of locations, click here.

Acceptable oily waste includes: Non-recoverable oily waste (soiled rags, sawdust, absorbent pads, etc.) double-bagged in transparent bags and totally absorbed, with no free liquid.