Running continuously for nearly 40 years, ecomaine’s waste-to-energy plant is one of only about 75 facilities of its kind currently operating in the U.S.
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While Portland has topped many international lists for its restaurant scene and quality of life, residents may be surprised by the city’s most recent recognition: as a top place for managing trash. The ecomaine waste-to-energy facility, located just a mile from the jetport, was recently honored with the 2026 Facility Excellence Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). The award, presented at a SWANA’s RCon event in St. Louis on September 30, recognizes operational excellence along with environmental stewardship and service to the community through education and outreach. Waste-to-energy is a renewable energy process that converts trash to electricity. Long popular in Europe and other densely populated areas, waste-to-energy plants are less prevalent in the U.S., where communities have counted on landfilling to manage trash, often alongside recycling and waste reduction efforts. As landfill space in Maine and across the country becomes more limited, however, waste-to-energy is proving to be an increasingly critical community asset. The waste-to-energy process reduces waste volume by 90%, extending the life of a landfill as much as tenfold. At ecomaine, waste-to-energy is just one component of an integrated waste management strategy. The non-profit also provides recycling (with an all-new facility coming online in 2027); a landfill for waste-to-energy byproduct and other waste; and digestion for food waste, in partnership with Exeter Agri-Energy. “There’s no single solution to managing waste,” notes Kevin Roche, ecomaine’s CEO, who has helmed the organization for over 20 years. “We have to use every tool in the tool kit. Encouraging waste reduction, building infrastructure for recycling, and being smart stewards of the waste that’s being created so that future generations aren’t cleaning up our mess. And when we can use waste a resource – like we do with waste-to-energy – that’s a win-win.” ecomaine’s multi-pronged waste management model is unique, as is its model for participation. Rather than operating only along county lines like many peer organizations across the U.S., communities of all sizes and locations can opt in to joining ecomaine as a co-owner, or as a contracted partner. This organizational model means communities of all sizes have an opportunity to choose how they want to manage their waste – and gives them access to options like recycling and waste-to-energy that are resource-prohibitive for smaller communities and public works departments. ecomaine’s Waste-to-Energy facility has operated in Portland since 1988, processing approximately 175,000 tons of municipal solid waste each year and generating enough electricity to power the facility itself and approximately 15,000 Maine homes. The facility is ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified, demonstrating exceptional commitment to both environmental management and health and safety. With over 70 member communities, ecomaine processes waste and recycling for about one-third of Mainers. |
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