Trash & Recycling

Sign up for mobile reminders of trash & recycling pickup

& print a calendar for your refrigerator!

Fill out the form below to register.

Automated trash and recycling collection begins the week of 10/16. Please visit Casella's site for information on the new automated collection system. 

Trash & Recycling will both be picked up every week.

New carts are currently out delivery. Once the new collection is underway, your existing trash & recycling plastic containers can be dropped off at Public Works at 135 Kelley Road Mon-Fri from 6AM - 4:30PM.

Please note: Tires will no longer be accepted curbside, since the truck can't pick them up. The landfill currently accept tires, at a charge of one $25 ticket for four tires. More landfill info, including how to purchase a window sticker and tickets on the Landfill page.

The new collection schedule can be found here


You have a household item to discard...what do you do with it?

...is it RECYCLABLE? Click to see a complete list of allowable recyclable materials in the Casella Zero-Sort bin.

  • Paper
  • Plastics (see Casella figure below on which plastics are recyclable)
  • Glass
  • Cardboard
  • Cans (Aluminum and Tin)

Recyclables go in your recycling bin to be picked up curbside by the Town of Orono and processed by CasellaClick to see a complete list of allowable recyclable materials. All recyclables should be clean and dry. We all need to understand what’s acceptable in our local recycling program and remember: When in doubt, throw it out. There are too many non-recyclable items in recycling bins. These sorting mistakes add up and hurt recycling programs. Please go to Casella's website for more information.

Recyclable examples: drink bottles, milk jugs, yogurt containers, tubs, lids, shampoo bottles

...is it a TEXTILE?

  • Clothing
  • Footwear
  • Blankets
  • Towels

Textiles can be donated to used goods locations like the Orono Thrift Store, Textile Donation Bins at the Orono Thrift Shop (10 Birch Street), and Bell’s IGA.

Annual Apparel Recycling Statistics for the Town of Orono

2019: 5.3 tons of textiles were collected (6 months only)

2020: 12.4 tons of textiles were collected

2021: 10.6 tons of textiles were collected

2022: 7.5 tons of textiles were collected

Textile donation bin is located at 10 Birch Street, behind the Thrift Store. Acceptable Items List Here

clothes

...is it UNIVERSAL WASTE?

  • TVs
  • Computers
  • Electronics
  • Batteries (lithium)
  • Lightbulbs

Learn about the many options to recycling universal waste services at the Environmental Education Materials Page.

universal waste examples: computer monitors, TVs, electronics, batteries, lamps, mercury-containing

... is it made of METAL? It can go to the Landfill to be recycled. (1 Putnam Road, Orono, ME 04473)

  • Microwaves
  • Toasters / Toaster Ovens 
  • Scrap metal
  • Pipes
  • Propane tanks (that are empty and depressurized ONLY. Stem must be removed)
  • Does it have freon or a coolant? - Extra fee associated
    • Refrigerators
    • Freezers
    • Dehumidifers
    • AC Units

Landfill permits can be purchased at the Town Office. Scrap metal is free to drop off at Landfill, but a permit is required.

...can it go to the Orono CDD LANDFILL? (1 Putnam Road, Orono, ME 04473)

  • Yard Waste 
  • Mattresses
  • Construction Waste 
  • Tires
  • Rechargable Batteries (under 11lbs and no signs of damage)

Landfill permits can be purchased at the Town Office. Yard waste is free to drop off at Landfill, but a permit is required.

...is it HAZARDOUS WASTE?

  • Petroleum-based products
  • Pesticides
  • Paint
  • Fertilizers
  • Propane

These items can be taken to the annual (June) Hazardous Waste Disposal Event at Old Town Transfer Station, 246 Gilman Falls Ave, Old Town. If you cannot wait until the annual June event, check out the Environmental Educational Materials webpage to determine where to take your hazardous waste.

hazardous.waste_.day_.SF_.courtesy

...if the answer to all of these is NO, it is TRASH

  • Contaminated organics (paper plates, pizza boxes)
  • Straws, plastic utensils (too small to efficiency recycle in the facility)
  • Plastic bags and film plastics
  • Styrofoam

The Town of Orono will continue to contract with Pine Tree Waste for curbside collection of trash and recycling. No changes to the schedule have been made. This relationship with PERC and Casella was formed to comply with the waste hierarchy adopted by the State of Maine. 

Orono is a part of the Municipal Review Committee (MRC), which is a nonprofit organization representing 115 Maine communities that have joined together to ensure the affordable, long-term and environmentally sound disposal of their municipal solid waste.