 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The towns of Dexter, Exeter, Ripley, St. Albans, and Corinna are members and form the Mid-Maine Solid Waste Association (MMSWA). Other users of our facility include Guilford (since 2004) and Cambridge (since 1999). The Association is governed by a Board of Directors, which represents the interests of each of the participating members.
The MMSWA facility provides for the disposal of solid waste at its Transfer Station and operates a Recycling Facility on the premises. The site also offers demolition debris disposal, composting, tire disposal, white goods (refrigerators, appliances, etc.), universal waste (televisions, monitors, etc.), and metal disposal. The end of 2009 marks MMSWA's eightenth year of operation. Since opening the MMSWA facility, avoided costs are upwards of $1,500,000 of taxpayer's money as a result of recycling products that can be re-sold and/or re-used. During 2009 the facility processed over 5,600 tons of municipal waste, 1600 tons of demo debris and more than 3,500 tons of recycled goods. As a result of our recycled goods sales and avoided costs for shipping waste to Penobscot Recovery Corporation (PERC), we achieved a savings of nearly $250,000. Our recycling rate for 2009 was 47%. We hope to continue the our recycling effort in the coming year so please take the time to check what recycled goods are accepted at our facility, as recycling will benefit us all. Thank you for helping us achieving our State's goal, and please continue the good work. Other important news includes the amount of Universal Waste (televisions, computer monitors, fluorescent lights, ballasts, mercury switches, thermometers, and thermostats) MMSWA has collected in 2009; greater than 65,000 pounds, including more than 1,750 televisions and monitors. These Universal Waste products are recyclable and our recycling efforts keep them out of our mainstream disposal system while helping to protect the environment from mercury and lead pollution. The disposal fees for these items are as follows: televisions (any size) - $5.00 each, computer monitors - $3.00 each, and all residential fluorescent bulbs, ballasts, mercury switches, thermometers and thermostats are accepted free of charge. For commercial businesses, please check with attendants for disposal rates on these items. Additionally, we kindly ask that you please do not break your fluorescent bulbs and mercury devices prior to disposal. We are adding computer printers and game consoles to our universal waste recycling in 2010 at no cost to the consumer. Please help MMSWA achieve its goals by separating your trash prior to arriving at the facility. This will help our staff in maintaining a clean, organized, and customer-friendly environment while increasing our recycling efforts. Remember, the more we recycle the less our waste disposal costs will increase. Another important reminder, please make a concerted effort to secure all incoming loads in order to prevent roadside debris. If you have any questions about the DEP's rules pertaining to municipal waste, universal waste, or demolition debris, please feel free to contact MMSWA or visit the Department of Environmental Protection website at www.maine.gov/dep. Rules for the use of the transfer station and recycling facility, as well as a schedule of fees, and vehicle permits are available in the town office. Please feel free to contact the facility if you have any questions at 924-3650. Current permits are required to use the MMSWA facility. Hours of operation are 8am to 5pm Monday-Thursday and Saturday. Facility is closed Fridays and Sundays. Respectfully submitted, |
|