Maine DEP Releases Statewide Waste Characterization Study Findings
Summary
Maine Department of Environmental Protection announced findings from a comprehensive statewide waste characterization study funded by the EPA's Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program. The study, conducted by MSW Consultants, provides detailed data on Maine's waste stream composition through facility gate surveys, hand sorting, and seasonal sampling of municipal solid waste and construction debris.
What changed
The Maine DEP released findings from a statewide waste characterization study that establishes baseline data on waste stream composition. Conducted by MSW Consultants using methodologies including disposal facility gate surveys, hand sorting, visual surveys of construction and demolition debris, and food scrap surveys across summer and fall seasons, the study supports Maine's food recovery and solid waste management hierarchies.
This is an informational announcement with no immediate compliance requirements. The study findings will inform Maine's Materials Management Plan update scheduled for 2029. Regulated entities and municipalities should review the full report on the Department Reports webpage to understand current waste composition data that may influence future waste management policies and initiatives.
Archived snapshot
Apr 6, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Maine DEP Unveils Findings from Statewide Waste Characterization Study
Maine Department of Environmental Protection sent this bulletin at 02/03/2026 12:08 PM EST
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For Immediate Release | | | |
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Maine DEP Unveils Findings from Statewide Waste Characterization Study
AUGUSTA, February 3, 2026 — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced the release of a comprehensive statewide waste characterization study. Funded entirely through the USEPA's Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program, the study provides detailed data on the composition of Maine’s waste stream. Understanding what materials are most common in the waste stream makes it possible to target specific materials for waste prevention or diversion in alignment with Maine’s food recovery and solid waste management hierarchies.
The report also establishes a baseline of Maine’s waste composition that can be used to measure the progress of future waste reduction initiatives and directly supports the development of Maine’s Materials Management Plan, which will be updated in 2029.
Conducted by MSW Consultants, the methodology of the study included a variety of rigorous assessments such as disposal facility gate surveys, hand sorting, and sampling of municipal solid waste. The study also incorporated visual surveys of construction and demolition debris, a residential food scrap management survey, a food scrap transporter survey, and an in-depth review of facility reports. Recognizing the importance of seasonal variation, surveys were conducted throughout the summer and fall.
"We extend our sincere gratitude to all participating facilities and municipalities," said Melanie Loyzim, DEP Commissioner. "Their collaboration has been invaluable in helping us understand our waste stream more comprehensively and will inform our future waste management strategies."
The full report is available on the Department Reports webpage.
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For additional information, contact:
David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner
david.madore@maine.gov
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| | | | | | # --- PRESS RELEASE ---
For Immediate Release | | |
Maine DEP Unveils Findings from Statewide Waste Characterization Study
AUGUSTA, February 3, 2026 — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced the release of a comprehensive statewide waste characterization study. Funded entirely through the USEPA's Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program, the study provides detailed data on the composition of Maine’s waste stream. Understanding what materials are most common in the waste stream makes it possible to target specific materials for waste prevention or diversion in alignment with Maine’s food recovery and solid waste management hierarchies.
The report also establishes a baseline of Maine’s waste composition that can be used to measure the progress of future waste reduction initiatives and directly supports the development of Maine’s Materials Management Plan, which will be updated in 2029.
Conducted by MSW Consultants, the methodology of the study included a variety of rigorous assessments such as disposal facility gate surveys, hand sorting, and sampling of municipal solid waste. The study also incorporated visual surveys of construction and demolition debris, a residential food scrap management survey, a food scrap transporter survey, and an in-depth review of facility reports. Recognizing the importance of seasonal variation, surveys were conducted throughout the summer and fall.
"We extend our sincere gratitude to all participating facilities and municipalities," said Melanie Loyzim, DEP Commissioner. "Their collaboration has been invaluable in helping us understand our waste stream more comprehensively and will inform our future waste management strategies."
The full report is available on the Department Reports webpage.
| |
For additional information, contact:
David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner
david.madore@maine.gov
| | | | | | | | | |
| # --- PRESS RELEASE ---
For Immediate Release | | | | | | | |
| | |
Maine DEP Unveils Findings from Statewide Waste Characterization Study
AUGUSTA, February 3, 2026 — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced the release of a comprehensive statewide waste characterization study. Funded entirely through the USEPA's Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program, the study provides detailed data on the composition of Maine’s waste stream. Understanding what materials are most common in the waste stream makes it possible to target specific materials for waste prevention or diversion in alignment with Maine’s food recovery and solid waste management hierarchies.
The report also establishes a baseline of Maine’s waste composition that can be used to measure the progress of future waste reduction initiatives and directly supports the development of Maine’s Materials Management Plan, which will be updated in 2029.
Conducted by MSW Consultants, the methodology of the study included a variety of rigorous assessments such as disposal facility gate surveys, hand sorting, and sampling of municipal solid waste. The study also incorporated visual surveys of construction and demolition debris, a residential food scrap management survey, a food scrap transporter survey, and an in-depth review of facility reports. Recognizing the importance of seasonal variation, surveys were conducted throughout the summer and fall.
"We extend our sincere gratitude to all participating facilities and municipalities," said Melanie Loyzim, DEP Commissioner. "Their collaboration has been invaluable in helping us understand our waste stream more comprehensively and will inform our future waste management strategies."
The full report is available on the Department Reports webpage.
| |
For additional information, contact:
David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner
david.madore@maine.gov
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