Recycling

• Residential Recycling at Curbside
• Single Stream Recycling
• Business Recycling
• Universal Waste Recycling
• Electronics Recycling
• Mercury Thermostat Recycling
• Plastic Film Recycling
• Paint Recycling
• Shredded Paper Recycling

Residential Recycling at Curbside                                                                       

The City of Bath contracts with Pine Tree Waste to collect your recyclables curbside. Now that Bath has single stream recycling, it’s never been easier to get lots of stuff out of your trash bags. Follow this link to our single stream recycling flyer for a list of what you can now recycle curbside.

What and how to recycle in Bath: CLICK HERE for a printable chart.

When will my recycling be picked up? Recycling is picked up on the same day as your trash. CLICK HERE to determine your collection day.

If you need a blue Bath Tub (recycle bin), just visit the Bath Landfill Scalehouse; the bins are $10 apiece. We'll take your name and address and give you a tub with instructions on how to use it and when.  But you don’t need a blue tub to recycle.  You can use any container smaller than 32-gallons, write “RECYCLING” on the side and you’ve got yourself a Bath Tub.  Even better, come out to the landfill or city hall and get an official bumper sticker for your homemade Bath Tub.

Recycling in bags will not be collected. Recycling must be set out in a blue bin or other sturdy container, and must be loose. Casella's material recovery center cannot process recycling in bags. 

Single Stream Recycling

This enhancement to the curbside recycling program is in use for Bath residents. Please be sure all food and products are rinsed from items.

It ALL goes in together! You do not need to separate the materials – They will be collected all mixed together! You can now place in your blue bin or other container:

• Newspapers, Magazines, Catalogs
• Telephone/Soft Cover Books
• Direct Mail/Envelopes (all types)
• Paper (all colors, staples/paperclips are okay)
• Paperboard (cereal/shoe boxes)
• Milk/Juice Cartons
• Cardboard/Brown Paper Bags
• Plastic Bottles and Containers Numbered #1-7
• Soda/Juice/Water Bottles (glass or plastic)
• Milk Jugs, Bleach/Detergent, Shampoo Bottles
• Food containers (cottage cheese/margarine/yogurt)
• Glass Bottles/Jars (any color)
• Aluminum (pie plates/trays/foil)
• Metal Cans (tin/steel/aluminum)
• All Cans Must be Empty and Non-Hazardous

What NOT to include:

• No Plastic Bags*, No Food Liners
  *Take clean, dry plastic shopping bags to local grocery stores
• No Unmarked Plastics (laundry baskets/chairs/toys)
• No Windows/Light Bulbs*
  *All forms of fluorescent, high pressure sodium, and mercury bulbs can be recycled at the Bath Landfill
• No Dishes, No Pyrex, No Ceramics
• No Foam Packaging*, No Styrofoam*
  *Take clean, dry Styrofoam peanuts and packaging to Mail It 4 U in Bath
• No Hazardous Material or Universal Waste
• No Recyclables Containing Food Waste

Business Recycling

What and how to recycle in Bath

Recycling is mandatory in Bath and businesses are invited to participate by bringing their recyclables to the landfill.  You can have your staff bring up the materials or hire a commercial hauler to do the work for you.  Businesses in Bath do not participate in the curbside recycling program.  You must abide by the rules and keep things separated.  If you generate large quantities of recyclable materials, we ask that you make arrangements with a private hauler to take the materials to another facility as the landfill is not staffed or equipped to handle large loads.  Please call the landfill (443-8356) to inquire if your loads will be accepted.

Universal Waste Recycling

The Bath Landfill accepts all these materials for recycling.  These items must be delivered to the landfill intact and undamaged.  Curbside collection is not available for these items.

Universal wastes are items generated universally, by residents, schools, and businesses.  The category includes:

• Cathode Ray Tubes – televisions and computer monitors
• Fluorescent Lamps – tubes, circle, u-shaped, and compact
• Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts containing PCBs
• Rechargeable batteries – Ni-MH, Li-ion, Ni-Cad, small sealed lead-acid batteries
• Mercury Thermometers (learn more)
• Mercury Thermostats (learn more)
• Other Mercury-containing devices
• Other Lamps – High intensity discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, metal halide

Broken lamps will be accepted if placed inside two plastic bags.

Information on proper handling of broken lamps can be found here: Maine DEP Broken Bulb Info

Universal Waste Tip Fees

Electronics Recycling

The Bath Landfill accepts a full menu of electronic items for recycling:

• Televisions
• Computers
• Computer monitors
• Peripherals – keyboards, mice
• Printers/Scanners/Fax machines
• UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

These items must be delivered to the landfill intact and undamaged.  Curbside collection is not available for these items.

A (free) permit is required to access the facility.  Proof of Bath residency is required or non-Bath disposal rates will apply.

Please stop at the scalehouse to dispose of these items (and all other wastes too).

Paint Recycling

Do you have paint, stain and/or varnish to recycle?
Many paint stores now take back house paint (including stain and varnish) year-round during their regular business hours as part of the PaintCare program. If you have unused paint for recycling, don't wait for household hazardous waste collection. Finding a place to take it is now easier and more convenient in our community. [Note: these sites do not accept non-paint products such as thinner, solvents, spackle, pesticides, or cleaning chemicals.]

The Maine Paint Stewardship Program is run by PaintCare, a nonprofit organization funded by a nominal fee on the price of new paint. Residents and most businesses from any part of the state may use any PaintCare retail location. PaintCare also offers a pick-up service if you have at least 300 gallons of unwanted paint.

There is no charge when you drop off your paint or have it picked up. To find participating drop-off locations, learn more about the pick-up service, or find out which products are accepted, please visit www.paintcare.org or call (855) 724-6809.

Nearby Stores Accepting Waste Paint:

Rocky's Ace Hardware  |  55 Congress Ave, Bath

Sherwin-Williams  |  179 Pleasant St, Brunswick

Sherwin-Williams  |  86 Topsham Fair Mall Rd, Topsham

Ames True Value Hardware & Supply  |  447 Bath Rd, Wiscasset

Shredded Paper Recycling

Can I put my shredded paper in plastic bags for collection?
Unfortunately you cannot place any recyclable materials out for collection in plastic bags; please use paper bags. If you find that paper bags do not contain the shreds well, you can use a covered trash can for your recyclables. Simply use one of our bumper stickers to identify it as recycling (available at the landfill or public works) or just write on it with a marker.

Can I get rid of shredded paper at the landfill?
Yes, you can visit the landfill with your shredded paper in any container and dump the shreds into our recycling bin and keep your container.

How else can I get rid of shredded paper?
If you shred a lot of paper at your home or business, consider hiring a shredding service (locally available at Mail-It-4-U). You an also compost your shredded paper - backyard composting is fine or use our drop-off kiosk. If you drop off, the shredded paper cannot contain envelopes with plastic windows, glossy or coated paper, or credit cards. Only plain paper is acceptable.