Trash & Recycling in Maine (2026)
19 rules on the books across Maine, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Trash and recycling collection days, what time to put bins out, and rules about sorting materials for curbside pickup.
Portland
Some RestrictionsPortland's municipal collection won't take certain wastes at the curb at all: hazardous, infectious and hospital waste…
Read full rule →Skowhegan
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Skowhegan, Maine, residents deliver waste to the transfer station under a Residential Disposal Permit…
Read full rule →Bin Placement Rules
Where to position trash and recycling carts, when they may go to the curb and must come back, and the screening or enclosure rules for where bins live between pickups.
Bulk Item Disposal
How to dispose of large items like furniture, appliances, and mattresses, including scheduled pickups and drop-off locations.
Recycling Requirements
Mandatory recycling rules including which materials must be separated, contamination penalties, and composting requirements.
Maine: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsMaine sets a statewide 50% solid-waste recycling and reuse goal under 38 MRS § 2132 and operates a nationally…
Read full rule →Portland
Significant RestrictionsAny Portland residential property that doesn't use the city's trash and recycling pickup must run its own recycling…
Read full rule →Skowhegan
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Skowhegan, Maine, every component of the municipal solid waste stream that the Town designates as…
Read full rule →Illegal Dumping
Penalties and enforcement for dumping trash, debris, or hazardous materials on private or public property without authorization.
Maine: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsMaine criminalizes illegal dumping primarily through 17 MRS § 2264-A (Littering. Class E crime for large-scale dumping)…
Read full rule →Portland
Heavy RestrictionsThrowing or dumping garbage, tobacco waste, yard waste or any other waste matter on a Portland street, sidewalk, park…
Read full rule →Skowhegan
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Skowhegan, Maine, refuse is not to be deposited or left along the road leading to the Solid Waste…
Read full rule →Yard Waste Collection
Rules for separating grass clippings, leaves, branches, and other yard waste from regular trash, including pickup days and bag/bin requirements.
Portland
Some RestrictionsPortland requires yard waste, leaves, grass and garden waste under Sec. 12-16, to go out in a biodegradable plastic bag…
Read full rule →Skowhegan
Light RestrictionsIn the Town of Skowhegan, Maine, burnable brush and limbs brought to the Solid Waste Management Facility should be no…
Read full rule →Dumpster Rules
Permits and placement rules for residential or construction dumpsters, including how long they can stay and ROW obstruction limits.
Dixmont
Some RestrictionsDixmont requires a nonresidential or multifamily applicant to show the location and proposed screening of any on-site…
Read full rule →Skowhegan
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Skowhegan, Maine, a dumpster or similar large collection receptacle for trash or other wastes on a site…
Read full rule →Collection Schedule
Day-of-week pickup schedules by neighborhood, set-out and take-back time windows, and where to find your specific block's schedule.
Portland
Some RestrictionsPortland residents may not set solid waste or recycling containers at the curb until 3:00 p.m. the day before their…
Read full rule →Dixmont
Light RestrictionsA licensed mobile home park in Dixmont must have its refuse collected at least weekly, and the park operator, not the…
Read full rule →Skowhegan
Light RestrictionsIn the Town of Skowhegan, Maine, residential waste goes to the Skowhegan Solid Waste Management Facility on Steward…
Read full rule →Recycling Rules
Which items can and cannot go in residential single-stream recycling bins, contamination penalties, and rules for hazardous-waste drop-off.
Portland
Some RestrictionsPortland requires recyclables to go in the lidded rolling carts or drop-off bins the city designates under Sec…
Read full rule →Skowhegan
Light RestrictionsIn the Town of Skowhegan, Maine, the ordinance does not print the list of recyclable materials. The Town maintains an…
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