Maine Resource Recovery Association

09/23/2026

If you are interested in attending our annual fall workshop and meeting, act quickly to secure early-bird pricing. The Early Bird deadline is October 5th. Rates go up after that. Registration is available at "MRRA.net" under the events tab.

09/11/2026

If you are still looking for plans next week, consider joining us for a deep dive into the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s latest comprehensive waste characterization study. Funded by the EPA’s SWIFR grant program and conducted by MSW Consultants, this report provides the first detailed baseline of the state’s waste stream composition, offering critical data to drive effective waste prevention and diversion strategies.

In this session, we’ll explore how these insights will support progress in managing materials in alignment with Maine’s food recovery and solid waste management hierarchies and support the development of the 2029 Materials Management Plan. Learn about the rigorous methodology used—from disposal facility gate surveys to seasonal sampling—and discover how municipalities and businesses can leverage this data to measure progress and optimize their sustainability efforts.

Perfect for waste managers, policymakers, environmental consultants, and community leaders committed to advancing circular economy practices in Maine.

08/26/2026

While this is still months away, consider submitting an abstract or sharing this post with your network to help ensure we have unique and relevant sessions at our annual conference!

08/21/2026

Thanks to a partnership between researchers at the University of Maine and the volunteer coalition Reuse Maine .

08/10/2026

If you are looking for weekend plans, consider joining our friends at Second Story Builders for their 2nd Annual Radical Reuse Festival & Artisan Fair, taking place on Saturday, August 22 from 10am–3pm at their facility in Union (2179 Heald Highway).

07/17/2026

As we start planning our next event, we can't help but reflect on our summer tour. During this process, we are reminded of how successful this annual event has become. This degree of success couldn't have happened without you and our hosts, Skowhegan Transfer Station and Waste Management's Norridgewock location.

06/25/2026

There's still time to register! You have until 2PM tomorrow. We hope to see you there.

As promised in last week's post, here is the QR code to register. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

06/11/2026

On Monday, June 8, 2026, Victor Horton (Maine Resource Recovery Association (MRRA) and Mark King (Maine DEP Division of Materials Management) issued the first Certificate of Technical Ability to an attendee of the Maine Master Community Composter Program to Will Berdan II, facility manager, of the Richmond (Maine) Transfer Station. The Town Manager (Jim Chandler) was also in attendance to celebrate Will’s achievement.

The course, a collaborative effort between MRRA and the Maine DEP, consists of four hour-long webinars covering compost biology, feedstocks, compost systems, and pile building and management. The class is rounded off with a final series of demonstration videos that include compost siting and facility assessment skills, feedstock selection and analysis, and actual pile building. Once a candidate completes the series, they may request a link to a 50-question exam, and upon passing the exam with a minimum 70%, they may apply to MRRA for certification. The course and exam are all free of charge, and certification comes at a nominal fee through MRRA. Details regarding the program and certification may be found at: https://mrra.net/mrras-food-recovery-council/

06/09/2026

As promised in last week's post, here is the QR code to register. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

06/05/2026

Join us on June 29, 2026, for our summer tour! This summer, our itinerary includes visits to the Skowhegan Transfer Station and Waste Management. Space is limited, so secure your spot today. You can do so by visiting our website or watch for a post next week with a QR code and reminder.

Current Schedule is as follows:
Waste Management 10:00am
Lunch 12:45pm
Skowhegan Transfer Station 1:30pm
*times are subject to change as we are still working on a few logistical details.

We encourage you to carpool when possible and bring your reusable water bottles. Also, please bring vests(if you have them) and wear good boots or closed-toed shoes.