The Project
When ecomaine opened Maine’s first single-sort recycling facility in 2006, it changed how the state recycled. A lot has changed since then: what’s in the waste stream, how it’s processed, and the market for the output. A generation later, we’re building a new facility – one that’s ready for the industry’s next era.
Construction is underway at 90 Blueberry Road in Portland, directly across the street from ecomaine’s existing recycling operation. The new facility will leverage the existing structure (once a home furnishings company) and add an 11,000 square foot addition. The resulting 55,000 square foot facility will be more than 50% larger than the current recycling facility, and increase processing capacity by 66%.
The building will house all-new recycling equipment, including ballistic separators and 12 optical sorts capable of processing more than 1,000 items per minute. In addition to expanded equipment capacity, the facility will include new office and education space, extending ecomaine’s commitment to community outreach and environmental education.
Construction on the $36 million dollar project is expected to be complete in 2027. Routine recycling operations will continue uninterrupted at the existing facility throughout the construction period.
Kevin Roche
CEO
What It Means
More capacity. More communities. Cleaner output.
The new facility will process up to 25 tons per hour, an increase of more than 66% over ecomaine’s current capacity. That means ecomaine will be positioned to welcome new communities and accept greater recycling volume from across Maine.
The upgrades that make that possible touch every part of the operation. Here is a closer look at what the new facility brings to the table.
Cleaner Output.
Smarter equipment means more effective sorting, lower contamination rates, and a more desirable product to send to market, strengthening the case for recycling as a viable, sustainable system. Better material means better value, and better value means a stronger recycling program for every community we serve.
Safer Operations.
New technologies require less manual intervention, allowing ecomaine staff and sorters to focus on pre-sorting and contamination reduction rather than hands-on line work. The result is a safer, cleaner working environment, and a team that can put their energy toward the work that makes the biggest difference for the communities we serve.
More Efficient Processing.
State-of-the-art optical sorters and ballistic separators sort and separate materials quickly and accurately, keeping the line moving and reducing reliance on manual intervention.
A Foundation for Education.
The new building will include dedicated office and education space, creating a home for ecomaine’s outreach programs and giving the next generation of Mainers a place to learn what happens after the bin.
By the Numbers
The numbers behind 90 Blueberry Road tell the story of what sustainable waste management looks like when you build for the future.
Is Your Community an ecomaine Member?
ecomaine currently serves more than 70 communities across Maine, and the new facility is built to serve even more. Greater capacity means greater reach, and greater reach means more Mainers with access to reliable, sustainable recycling. Keeping Maine clean is a shared effort, and ecomaine is committed to growing the network. Find out if your community is already part of it.
