For Immediate Release

AUGUSTA, MAINE, July 5, 2023 — The Solid Waste Management and Recycling Plan for Maine (the "Waste Plan") will be revised and made available by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in January 2024. In compliance with state law, this statewide plan is reviewed and revised every five years. The most recent Waste Plan was released in 2019

The Department is seeking public input for updating the Waste Plan and will be hosting a series of five regional stakeholder meetings as part of that stakeholder process. These meetings will be accessible either in-person or remotely, ensuring all interested parties are able to participate.

The third meeting has been scheduled for July 10, 2023 and will be held at the University of Maine campus in Orono. Please RSVP for the meeting using the link to our webpage below. Those attending remotely will receive a Microsoft teams link after registration.

Orono

• When: Monday, July 10, 2023, 2:00pm - 6:00pm
• Where: University of Maine, Orono
• View campus parking map: https://umaine.edu/campus-map  
• The registration link and meeting room details will be posted on our Materials Management Plan webpage by 9am on Friday, July 7th: https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/programs/materials.html 

The DEP views this plan as an opportunity for open dialogue on existing initiatives to support the state's solid waste management hierarchy and to solicit feedback from citizens, companies, towns, and other stakeholders throughout Maine. Plan discussions will focus on strategies and actions for the Department and solid waste management entities to make progress toward Maine's statewide recycling, composting, and waste reduction goals, including short-term changes and laying the groundwork for longer-term opportunities with capital investments that may require a longer period for return on investment.

Additional Waste Plan sessions will be held in Augusta and Portland in late July or early August of 2023. In the coming weeks, the Department will provide further information, including a precise schedule outlining how and when to participate in the final two stakeholder meetings.

If you are interested in participating in these regional stakeholder meetings, would like to receive notifications regarding future actions the Department is taking in developing the Waste Plan, or have any other questions or comments, please sign up for the Departments materials management plan listserv by emailing: mainewasteplan2024@maine.gov.