Casella Waste Filed Plans for Landfill Expansion
The proposed 61-acre addition to the Juniper Ridge facility impacts municipal waste management for businesses statewide.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Utilities
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Casella Waste Systems has filed plans for a 61-acre expansion of the Juniper Ridge landfill in Old Town and Alton. The site currently processes approximately 50% of the municipal waste generated across Maine.
Why it matters
The expansion is necessary because the facility is projected to reach total capacity by 2028. Failure to secure more space could disrupt waste disposal logistics for a significant portion of Maine's businesses and municipalities.
The Juniper Ridge landfill manages 50% of all municipal waste in Maine and faces a capacity exhaustion deadline of 2028. The proposed expansion covers 61 acres, while current operations involve trucking leachate 20 miles to an external facility for processing.
The players
Casella Waste Systems
A waste management company that operates the Juniper Ridge landfill and processes half of Maine's municipal trash.
Penobscot Nation
A federally recognized tribe that has emerged as a key opponent to the proposed expansion of the landfill facility.
The details
The current operational plan involves transporting liquid waste, known as leachate, 20 miles via truck to a separate facility for processing. Casella Waste Systems is seeking this expansion to address the site's limited remaining lifespan. The project faces significant resistance from environmental groups, local abutters, and the Penobscot Nation, who are contesting the facility's growth.
Timeline
2028 is the projected year when the landfill will reach capacity without an expansion.
Market Landscape
This expansion effort reflects the ongoing tension between municipal waste capacity needs and regional regulatory standards under the Maine Solid Waste Management Act. The project follows a pattern of heightened scrutiny for large-scale infrastructure projects that serve as primary waste hubs.
Business owners should audit their current waste disposal contracts to determine if they rely on capacity provided by the Juniper Ridge landfill. Monitor the permitting process through 2028, as any delay in expansion could lead to increased disposal fees or shifted logistics for regional businesses.
The takeaway
The potential closure of Maine's largest waste facility by 2028 highlights the critical need for businesses to factor disposal risks into long-term operational planning. Review your vendor's waste processing location to determine if your service is currently routed through the Juniper Ridge site.
Further reading
For broader trends in infrastructure and waste management regulation, visit Utilities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Maine Public.
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