Maine Adopts Zero Waste Policies

Food Waste Reductions

Maine passed legislation last year that promises to reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in landfills. Over 40% of waste is organic material that creates harmful methane gas as it decomposes. Reducing the volume of waste will stretch the useful life of our state owned landfill, Juniper Ridge.

The legislation doesn’t take effect until 2030 when large food processors like schools and hospitals will be required to donate edible food to the needy and send the rest to anaerobic digestion or a compost facility if they are within 25 miles. The program will expand over time to include more food processors.

Refillable Containers

Maine legislators also adopted An Act Regarding Businesses’ and Consumers’ Use of Returnable,
Reusable and Refillable Containers for Food, Beverages and Nonfood Items. This allows consumers to bypass disposable packaging and use their own reusable containers. Every small step we can take to reduce waste makes a big impact. The more individuals who use refillable containers the less burden gets passed on to the environment..

Maine challenges “Advanced Chemical Recycling” myth

Lobbyists for the chemical and plastics industries have made claims about plastic recycling for years. Very little plastic is made into new products. Now the industry has come up with a new myth, ‘advanced recycling’. The term is misleading. The process uses incineration. When plastics are burned they release harmful chemicals. Maine will not allow these companies to call their methods recycling unless they can prove 50% of the plastic is truly recycled. Contrary to industry claims this is not manufacturing but is another method of ‘disposal’. Maine was out ahead of this dangerous practice and adopted LD 1660 in 2024.

Maine faces pressure from the waste industry.

You can make a difference by reaching out to your legislator and letting them know you appreciate these steps to protect Maine’s environment. Members of the waste industry keep pressure on our legislators and agencies to go along with their plans to import waste and sewage sludge from other New England states.

 

Is the JRL Expansion Application Still Valid?

Significant Change to the Expansion Proposal

September 10, 2026

The public Benefit Determination portion of the permitting process for expansion of the Juniper Ridge Landfill requires a PFAS treatment facility be operational on site before the expansion moves forward. The operator of Juniper Ridge Landfill, NEWSME (Casella), is proposing a plan that would move PFAS treatment of the toxic “garbage juice” (leachate) produced by the landfill outside the existing licensing process for the Juniper Ridge expansion.

This appears to significantly change what was proposed in the original application for expansion—and, importantly, would move PFAS treatment outside the current licensing process.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP) has asked Casella to submit a design report for treatment and removal of the “forever toxic” PFAS chemicals from the leachate

Appeals of the public Benefit Determination portion of the permitting process require that a PFAS treatment facility be operational on site before the expansion moves forward. The new proposal appears to offer a way around that requirement. It states:

“NEWSME does not intend to seek licensure of the PFAS treatment system through this licensing process because the system will not be located at JRL.”

That raises a fundamental question:

If the proposed location for treatment has changed, is the original expansion application still valid?

The expansion application currently before the state clearly outlines plans for a PFAS treatment facility at the Juniper Ridge Landfill site. This is not a minor detail or an incidental component of the project. It is a significant part of how the landfill’s leachate is to be managed.

NEWSME / Casella submitted:

“Although the project is still under consideration and subject to change, NEWSME currently plans to install the PFAS treatment system at the nearby Pine Tree Landfill in Hampden, subject to obtaining all required approvals and agreements.”

Apparently NEWSME would seek approval for the treatment system by amending the solid waste facility license for the Pine Tree Landfill.

In other words, the PFAS treatment facility described in the expansion application would no longer be located at Juniper Ridge. Instead, the company is proposing a possible treatment system at another landfill, one that is not even part of the expansion application currently under review.

Why Should Maine DEP Accept This Change?

The Maine DEP should require NEWSME to submit a new or substantially revised expansion application rather than allowing a major change at this point in the process.

Why should a state licensing process rely on a plan that NEWSME itself describes as “still under consideration and subject to change”?

If the location of the PFAS treatment system has changed, and if the system is no longer part of the Juniper Ridge expansion license, the public deserves an opportunity to review the revised proposal and understand its environmental and transportation impacts.

What Happens to the Leachate?

Moving PFAS treatment from Juniper Ridge also creates another concern: transportation of landfill leachate.

Landfill leachate contains toxic chemicals that include PFAS and heavy metals such as arsenic. The toxic leachate would need to be transported from Juniper Ridge to the proposed treatment location at Pine Tree Landfill in Hampden (owned by Casella) or some other facility. That means toxic leachate would be traveling on public roads between two landfill sites.

There do not appear to be details about how this material would be transported, including the proposed transportation methods, spill prevention measures, emergency procedures, or other safety protocols.

These are not insignificant questions. They are exactly the kinds of issues the public should be able to examine before a major expansion is approved.

If the expansion proposal has fundamentally changed, the application should change with it.

Maine DEP should require NEWSME/Casella to submit a new application that clearly describes the proposed PFAS treatment system, its location, how leachate will be transported, and the environmental and public-safety protections that will be in place.

The public deserves nothing less than a complete, transparent, and enforceable plan before the Juniper Ridge Landfill expansion is approved.

The Public Deserves a Clear and Complete Proposal

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WHERE to send comments on JRL expansion

Ever wonder where you can send comments about the proposed Juniper Ridge Expansion?

You can send comments anytime on the JRL expansion to: Vera Maheu: vera.a.maheu@maine.gov

Comments are posted to the public comment record. But be sure to specify your comments are for the public record.

Here is the link where you can read public comments: https://www.maine.gov/dep/ftp/Juniper-Ridge/PBD2024/public-comments/

 

Schedule of next steps for Juniper Ridge Expansion Application

On August 14, 2026, Maine Department of Environmental Protection held a virtual pre-hearing conference regarding the upcoming Public Hearing considering the application for expansion of the Juniper Ridge Landfill.
The roles and responsibilities of the participants, the scope of the public hearing, the statutory and regulatory standards, the proposed schedule for the public hearing and required filings, and to discuss other administrative matters. The third
procedural order reviews matters discussed at the pre-hearing conference and sets forth the rulings of the Presiding Officer.
A copy of the Department’s Rules Governing the Conduct of Licensing Hearing and (Third Procedural Order) the rules for licensing hearings are included.

 

Juniper Ridge Landfill Permitting Pushes Ahead of Court Decision

Despite the fact that the Court has yet to rule on the Public Benefit Determination the Bureau of General Services and Maine Department of Environmental Protection are moving forward with the process of permitting an expansion of Juniper Ridge Landfill. A Public Benefit Determination is the first step required in permitting and licensing the proposed expansion.

Public hearing is tentatively scheduled for December 7, 8 and 9, 2026

While the Penobscot Nation and concerned folks around Maine await a ruling from the court regarding Environmental Justice the state is pushing forward with the process of expansion permitting & licensing. A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for December 7, 8 and 9, 2026. with a portion of the public hearing dedicated to comments and testimony from the General Public, to be held on the afternoon or evening of December 9, 2026.The current proposed venue is the Rangely Hall of the Eastern Maine Community College located at 268 Sylvan Road in Bangor.

The public can submit written comments for the record anytime during the process. Submit comments to: Vera Maheu: vera.a.maheu@maine.gov

Attendant documents can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/juniperridge/

Don’t Waste Me and other advocates from throughout the state seek a virtual option for participation at the ACTUAL hearing! Please mark your calendar and join us in this important stand for Environmental Justice.

 

Maine DEP & Casella challenged to do the right thing

Expansion plan hinges on Environmental Justice

Answering Casella’s and MEDEP’s assertions that environmental justice is
complicated they counter: It is an issue of people who matter with rights and who should have
access to clean air and clean water and the ability to live in their communities without
pollution and threats to their safety. Following a July 23, 2026 hearing, in Penobscot Superior
Court on the appeal of the Penobscot Nation (PN) and Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) of
the Public Benefit Determination (PBD) issued by MEDEP Commissioner Loyzim, it was put this
way:
“It’s getting to the point where it could be unhealthy and unsafe for me to simply
continue to practice the cultural traditions that my tribe has practiced literally for
thousands and thousands of years.” John Banks, member of Penobscot Nation

Life On Appeal in the Penobscot Superior Court

“The department recites evidence, but it does not engage with it . . . [d]oes not
meaningfully analyze the nation’s unique relationship with the Penobscot River nor
the burdens that the Penobscot Nation faces.” Alexandra Enriquez St Pierre, CLF arguments
before Penobscot Superior Court Pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 80C Civil Action No. PENSC-APP-2024-
00014, July 23, 2026 (emphasis added)

READ MORE Comments for the Public Record Submitted by Jacquelyn Elliott ǀ August 17, 2026

 

Landfill Gas – The ELEPHANT in the air!

Scientific studies reveal the toxic truth – landfill gas contains concentrations of PFAS comparable to landfill leachatte!

The distressing amount of PFAS in landfill gas was brought to light during testimony in Penobscot Superior Court, July 23, 2026, in the appeal of the Pubic Benefit Determination issued by Maine Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Loyzim.

“Even under conservative assumptions, the massive [volatile PFAS] leaving in landfill gas, (32 to 76%), was comparable to or greater than the mass leaving in landfill leachate, (24 to 68%). These findings suggest that landfill gas, a less scrutinized byproduct, served as a major pathway for the mobility of PFAS from landfills.” as reported in the study, Landfill Gas, a Major Pathway for Neutral Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Release.

The problem of airborne toxins will persist long after landfill closure. According to an article in National Environmental Science and Technology “the release of PFAS from landfills will persist given the comparable PFAS concentrations in landfill gas from sites that have been closed for two to five decades.” Let that sink in; 30 to 50 years of airborne chemicals AFTER landfill closure.

The Maine DEP did not consider Airborne PFAS in the Public Benefit Determination.The Maine Department of Environmental Protection approved the proposed expansion of Juniper Ridge Landfill based, in part, by the possibility of reducing the levels of PFAS in the leachatte.

Even if you can’t see the elephant

– it’s there!

 

Be In the Room! (via zoom) August 14th at 1:00

You can be in the room and watch as those with intervener status continue to press for Environmental Justice!

Ronald Mongeon, Eastern Maine Regional Office Director of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection released a Public notice for the pre-hearing conference scheduled for August 14^th at 1:00 p.m. The notice includes the link for the zoom meeting that can be used by the general public. This will allow them to watch and listen to the meeting; however, they will be unable to comment. This is simply a pre-hearing conference where scheduling of the process and everyone’s roles will be determined. Written public comment continues to be accepted on the application itself, and public testimony of course will be welcome at the actual hearing. Your presence will show the Maine DEP you care about Environmental Justice!

The meeting will have the following rough general agenda, subject to change as needed:

1. The roles and responsibilities of the parties/intervenors.
2. The expectations for how parties shall conduct themselves during the public hearing and filings.
3. The scope of the public hearing.
4. The process and requirements for witness lists, pre-filed testimony, and rebuttals.
5. The schedule and deadlines for submitting witness lists, pre-filed testimony, and rebuttals.
6. The scheduling of the public hearing.
7. Other administrative matters.

We hope you join Us and Support Environmental Justice!

 

Massachusetts to JRL to by BIKE- finishing August 1st!

Imagine following the Casella Waste Systems truck route from Massachusetts to Juniper Ridge Landfill by bike!

That is what two students from the College of the Atlantic will be completing today, August 1st! These two engaged individuals have take on the journey to highlight the persistent problem Maine has yet to solve: In spite of passing a law to forbid out of state waste from being dumped here a legal loophole allows tons of debris from other states into Maine – most of it is landfilled in Penobscot County.

The two intrepid bikers will be coming into Penobscot Territory bringing awareness instead of toxic waste. This action highlights the environmental injustice that Casella imposes upon our communities as they profit from exploiting a legal loophole while depositing this waste into this state-owned landfill that they manage.

The residents of Alton, Old Town and the Penobscot Nation feel the impact head on. They deal with the stench and airborne toxins, fishing in the Penobscot River running through the area is restricted due to pollution from the landfill.

But ALL Maine residents are impacted! The state’s largest landfill is reaching capacity. TONS of waste from beyond Maine’s borders are filling our state owned landfill fast! Now there is pressure to expand the landfill AGAIN.

It is time to deal with the solutions to our waste problem – not to expand flawed practices!

Follow their blog and wish them safe passage on the roads!

 

Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper is “Intervenor” in JRL expansion proceedings

July 28, 2026

The organization cited concerns over cumulative environmental impacts, including PFAS, toxic pollutants, leachate discharges, and  fish contamination.

Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper has been formally accepted as an intervenor in the state licensing proceedings regarding the proposed expansion of the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Alton and Old Town, arguing that the project could worsen toxic pollution and long-standing environmental burdens throughout the Penobscot River watershed.

In May, Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper petitioned to intervene with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, raising concerns about increased landfill leachate generation, inadequate treatment of toxic contaminants including PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), mercury, dioxins, and PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls), and the long-term impacts on downstream waters connected to Penobscot Bay.

Waterkeeper’s petition was challenged by NEWSME Landfill Operations, who operates Juniper Ridge with Casella, on the grounds that Penobscot bay Waterkeeper was “not substantially or directly impacted” by the expansion.  The Department of Environmental Protection did not concur with those claims and accepted Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper as an intervenor in the proceedings.  Others also accepted were Maine Rivers, the Penobscot Indian Nation, and several individuals.

Pete Nichols, Executive Director of Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper applauded the decision stating that “Communities throughout the Penobscot watershed are already living with the legacy of mercury, dioxins, PFAS, and PCB contamination in the river system. Expanding Maine’s largest landfill without fully addressing how toxic contaminants will be managed threatens to deepen an existing public health and environmental crisis.”

In its petition, the organization argues that the proposed expansion could substantially increase long-term contaminant loading into the Penobscot River system and exacerbate cumulative environmental burdens already borne by downstream communities, fishermen, shellfish harvesters, and residents who rely on the watershed for their livelihoods, recreation, and sustenance.

The petition specifically questions whether the state has adequately evaluated:

• The impacts of PFAS and other persistent contaminants in landfill leachate;
• Risks to groundwater, wetlands, tributaries, and downstream waters;
• Fish consumption and bioaccumulation risks;
• Cumulative environmental justice impacts;
• Long-term financial assurances and post-closure obligations;
• Climate, air quality, odor, and truck traffic impacts; and
• Whether continued landfill expansion is consistent with Maine’s waste reduction and recycling policies.

“The public deserves confidence that the full range of contaminants associated with landfill leachate — including short-chain PFAS compounds and other bioaccumulative toxics — are being properly evaluated before permits are issued,”  Nichols said. “The Penobscot River is already impaired by multiple toxic pollutants. The state has an obligation to fully evaluate whether this expansion will further pollute a watershed that Maine people depend on.”

The organization’s filing notes that members and supporters throughout the watershed — including fishermen, lobstermen, oyster farmers, and recreational users of the Penobscot River and Bay — could be directly affected by increased contamination and degradation of water quality.

“People who live, work, and play in the watershed rely on these waters for food, livelihoods, recreation, and cultural connection. ” Nichols said. “Downstream communities should not bear the risk of incomplete science, inadequate monitoring, or regulatory blind spots involving toxic pollutants.”

An initial hearing on the proceedings

will be held on August 14th.

Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization made up of small business owners, educators, scientists, farmers, artists, historians, civil servants, and community activists. They envision a thriving Penobscot Bay watershed that nurtures all life, and work everyday to fulfill their  mission to boldly advocate for the health of Penobscot Bay Watershed through science, public action, and community engagement.