Maine voters opt to switch to Ecomaine

Kennebunk, Maine, voters chose a new company to handle waste and recycling during a special town meeting Feb. 11. Ecomaine, a Portland, Maine-based recycling and waste company, was chosen to handle waste disposal and recycling, York County Coast Star reports. Casella Waste Systems Inc., Rutland, Vermont, had handled the contract for years.

Voters weighed in on ballot initiatives pertaining to the handling of local waste disposal and recycling, approving Kennebunk becoming one of Ecomaine’s “owner communities,” entering into a waste-handling contract with the Portland-based company.

The Kennebunk Select Board had unanimously recommended switching to Ecomaine. The town’s agreement with Ecomaine will cover solid waste disposal and recycling services for 30 years, effective July 1. The town’s current contract with Casella will expire on June 30.

The total cost for solid waste and recycling disposal with Ecomaine is estimated to be $395,470 through July 1, 2026. Currently, solid waste disposal and recycling services in Kennebunk are funded through the town’s general fund and the “Pay-As-You-Throw” enterprise fund.

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Once a new tipping fee agreement is finalized, the town will solicit bids for collection and transportation. The proposals to come out of that process will be on the ballot for the annual town meeting in June.

Also in June, voters will decide whether to continue the town’s pay-as-you-throw program, which calls for residents to purchase their own bags for disposing of their waste, York Count Coast Star reports.

A related noise ordinance, also approved by voters, puts in place a call for private haulers to only pick up waste between the hours of 5 a.m. and 8 p.m., and will institute nighttime standards starting at 8 p.m.