Trash & Recycling in Maine (2026)
10 rules on the books across Maine, 1 city or county. 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.
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 →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 →Yard Waste Collection
Rules for separating grass clippings, leaves, branches, and other yard waste from regular trash, including pickup days and bag/bin requirements.
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.
Recycling Rules
Which items can and cannot go in residential single-stream recycling bins, contamination penalties, and rules for hazardous-waste drop-off.