Portland, ME Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Properties w/o city trash service
- Program type
- Single-stream, city-equivalent materials
- Compliance deadline
- Jan. 1, 2015 (extensions to 24 mo.)
- Enforcement
- Uniform summons or 30-A MRSA §4452
- Penalty basis
- Each day = separate violation
Summary
Any Portland residential property that doesn't use the city's trash and recycling pickup must run its own recycling program under Sec. 12-17.1, single-stream, at least as convenient as the city's, clearly signed, and disclosed to residents, or face enforcement by the Department of Public Works, including uniform summons penalties.
(a) Any residential property which does not participate in city solid waste collection and recycling under section 12-17 above, must provide a recycling program for all of its residential dwelling units, either directly by doing such collection itself under a city license as a waste transporter, or by contracting with a licensed waste hauler... Such recycling program must meet the following minimum standards: (1) It must be at least as convenient for the resident as the owner's solid waste collection program for the property; (2) It must be a single stream recycling program that includes at least the same materials as those collected by the city's recycling program...(5) Source separated recyclables shall not be commingled with solid waste.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Sec. ' The definition sweeps in mixed-use buildings: 'residential property' includes any property with a residential unit, even commercial buildings under Sec. 12-16's definition. The program must meet five minimum standards in subsection (a)(1)-(5): it must be at least as convenient as the owner's trash service, run single-stream with at least the same materials the city collects, carry clear signage on which container is for recyclables, come with resident notice at move-in and whenever the program changes, and keep source-separated recyclables uncommingled with trash. Subsection (b) set a compliance deadline of January 1, 2015, with subsection (c) allowing owners to request an extension of up to 24 months if filed by October 1, 2014, and good cause is shown to the public works authority. § 4452, with every day of continued violation a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 12-17.1(e) lets the public works authority enforce noncompliance with a uniform summons and complaint or a state-law complaint under 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4452, and each day the violation continues is 'deemed a separate violation.' Penalties, including the city's attorney's fees and costs under Sec. 12-30, apply, and the city may also seek an injunction to abate the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Portland apartment building have to recycle if it uses a private hauler?
What has to be included in a private building's recycling program?
What if a property owner can't meet the recycling deadline?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
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