Don't Dump It — Recycle It Right
Your old batteries, electronics, and solar panels aren't trash — they're resources. Maine Nugs routes your “dump” items to eco-friendly recycling centers instead of the landfill.
A little bit goes a long way — here's how to do it right, and why it matters.
Recycling GuidelinesRecyclable Resources Are Being Lost to Landfills
Traditional hauling and junk removal services are convenient — but when everything goes to the transfer station as unsorted trash, recyclable materials with real value are lost forever. Lithium batteries cause fires. Rare earth elements get buried. Solar panels with recoverable silver and copper end up in landfills.
- Lithium batteries from EcoFlow stations, e-bikes, and power tools are causing fires at Maine transfer stations and landfills.
- Solar panels contain recoverable silver, silicon, and copper — but end up in landfills when decommissioned.
- Electronics contain rare earth elements worth billions — yet most end up crushed and buried.
- Maine has only two permanent household hazardous waste collection sites for the entire state.
- When bulky items are hauled away without sorting, recyclable materials often end up in the waste stream.
Sources: Aroostook Waste Solutions: 6 battery fires in 6 weeks (2025) | ecomaine Portland: lithium battery fire on recycling floor | Maine DEP: CRT and LCD disposal in regular trash is illegal
The Maine Nugs Solution
Know What You Have
Batteries, electronics, solar panels, and hazardous materials all need different handling. We help you identify what you've got.
Find the Right Place
We connect you to verified, eco-friendly recycling centers in Maine — not the landfill. Each facility is mapped to what they accept.
Get It There
Our volunteer drivers with trucks can help transport accepted items to recycling facilities — especially for folks who can't haul it themselves.
Eco-Friendly Recycling Centers
Beta — VerifyingPortland's primary recycling hub for electronics, batteries, and household hazardous waste. City-owned, operated by CPRC Management. Portland homeowners can get an E-Card for free e-waste disposal (10 item limit).
Household Hazardous Waste Day: 1st Saturday of each month, April-November, 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM. E-Card program: contact (207) 756-8011.
Professional hazardous waste and e-waste recycler. Handles ALL battery types including large lithium-ion (EcoFlow, solar storage, etc.). Maine DEP authorized. Best option for large portable power stations and solar equipment.
Primarily serves businesses, institutions, and municipalities. Contact for residential options. DEP ID: MER000002683.
Municipal transfer station accepting electronics and batteries FREE. Participates in Call2Recycle. Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in September.
Transfer station sticker required (purchased at Town Hall). Electronics and batteries are FREE to drop off.
National battery recycling program with local Maine drop-offs. Accepts all rechargeable batteries including lithium-ion. Special packaging available for damaged or defective lithium batteries.
Additional drop-off locations at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Staples statewide. Check call2recycle.org for nearest location.
Environmental Depot
One of only two permanent household hazardous waste collection sites in Maine. Accepts universal waste from residents in the Lewiston-Auburn area.
Serves Lewiston, Auburn, and surrounding communities. Check with facility for current hours and accepted items.
National solar panel recycler providing pickup service from Maine. Recovers up to 96% of material value (aluminum, silver, silicon, glass, copper). Also recycles inverters, optimizers, and solar electronics. Each recycled panel avoids ~97 lbs of CO2.
Cost ~$18-25 per panel. Provides Certificate of Recycling. Authorized under Maine's 2023 solar decommissioning requirements. No physical Maine location — uses reverse logistics.
Lithium Batteries
EcoFlow stations, e-bike batteries, power tools, laptops — these all contain lithium-ion cells that cause fires at transfer stations. They also contain valuable materials that can be recovered.
Best option in Maine: Maine Labpack (South Portland) handles all lithium battery types. Call2Recycle has statewide drop-off locations for smaller batteries.
Solar Panels
Maine's 2023 decommissioning law requires recycling of solar panels from ground-mounted projects. Panels contain recoverable silver, silicon, and copper — up to 96% material recovery is possible.
Available now: SOLARCYCLE provides reverse logistics pickup from anywhere in Maine. No dedicated Maine facility yet — this is a gap and an opportunity.
Impact Nuggets: How Recycling Connects to Global Goals
When you recycle a battery instead of tossing it in the dump, that's not just good housekeeping — it connects to measurable global outcomes. Here's how:
Responsible Consumption
Maine's bottle bill tradition and community thrift culture make responsible consumption a natural fit for a local reuse marketplace.
Climate Action
Maine faces rising sea levels and changing weather patterns, and reducing consumption through local reuse is a tangible climate action every community can take.
Life on Land
Maine's vast forests and wildlife habitats are preserved when communities choose reuse over new production that drives resource extraction.
Sustainable Communities
Maine's small towns and villages build resilience when neighbors can exchange building materials, furniture, and household goods locally.
Clean Energy
Maine's cold winters and high heating costs make affordable access to efficient heating equipment and weatherization supplies a real necessity.
Innovation
As broadband expands across rural Maine, a digital marketplace bridges the gap between remote communities and modern economic participation.
Official Maine Resources
Maine is a national leader in product stewardship — the first state to pass EPR laws for electronics, thermostats, and packaging. These official resources can help you find the right disposal options.
Maine DEP: Electronics Recycling Program
State electronics recycling program — manufacturer-funded since 2004. Maine residents have recycled nearly 103 million pounds of electronics since 2006.
Maine DEP: Battery Recycling
Official guidance on battery disposal in Maine. It is illegal to dispose of rechargeable batteries in regular trash.
Maine DEP: Universal Waste Rules
Regulations covering batteries, CRTs, mercury lamps, and electronic devices. CRT and LCD screens cannot legally go in regular trash.
Maine DEP: Product Stewardship Programs
Maine is a national leader in Extended Producer Responsibility — first state for electronics, thermostats, and packaging EPR.
Maine DEP: Household Hazardous Waste
Find household hazardous waste collection events and permanent drop-off sites in your area.
Maine DEP: Universal Waste Recycling Companies (PDF)
Official list of authorized universal waste transporters, consolidators, and recyclers in Maine.
Need Help Getting Items to a Recycling Center?
Can't haul it yourself? Request a free pickup from our volunteer drivers. They'll transport your recyclable items to the right facility — batteries, electronics, solar panels, and more.
Got a Truck? Help Your Neighbors Recycle Right
Our volunteer drivers help transport recyclable items to the right facilities — especially for folks who can't haul it themselves. If you've got a truck and a free afternoon, you can make a real difference.
Coming Soon: More Facilities & Features
This section is a beta concept. We're actively working on:
- Verifying all facility details, hours, and accepted materials
- Adding more recycling centers across all 16 Maine counties
- A “What Do I Do With This?” tool to identify the right disposal method
- Partnerships with emerging battery and solar recycling facilities in Maine (TBD)
- Integration with volunteer drivers for scheduled eco-recycling pickups
Know a recycling facility we should list? Have corrections? Get in touch.