Unity Area Regional Recycling Center

Recycling Center in Thorndike, Maine

📍 95 Leonard Rd, Thorndike, ME 04986
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📞 +1 207-568-3117 🌐 Visit Website 🗺 Get Directions

About This Location

The Unity Area Regional Recycling Center (UARRC) is a solar-powered, volunteer-supported drop-off recycling center at 95 Leonard Road in Thorndike, founded in 1991 and owned by eight member towns. Residents hand-sort paper, plastics, glass, metal, textiles, mixed electronic waste and Universal Hazardous Waste, which UARRC bales and sells to offset member towns' solid-waste costs. Member-town residents use it free; non-member residents can buy a $30 annual membership.

What Unity Area Regional Recycling Center Accepts

✓ Office and mixed paper, newspaper (Keep dry and clean; covers removed from hardcover books)
✓ Corrugated cardboard (Flatten; remove staples if possible)
✓ Glass (all colors) (Rinse clean, remove metal lids and rings)
✓ Plastics #1-#7, plus #2/#4 bags and wrap (Rinse and flatten; no motor oil, pesticide or hazardous-waste containers)
✓ Tin/steel and aluminum cans (Rinse clean; aerosol and propane cans must be punctured)
✓ Textiles (All clothing clean, dry and bagged or boxed; no rugs, carpet or bedding)
✓ Freon appliances (refrigerators, freezers, A/C, dehumidifiers) (Must still contain Freon and be clean/mold-free; $15 fee each)
✓ Mixed electronic waste (printers, keyboards, microwaves, fax/copy machines, phones) (Universal Hazardous Waste; e-waste must have functioning circuitry)
✓ Televisions, computers and monitors, game consoles (Toxic-containing components collected as Universal Hazardous Waste)
✓ Batteries (all types), printer and toner cartridges (Keep intact; do not mix with other recyclables)

Related recycling guides: Electronics · Batteries · Appliances · Glass · Plastic · Cardboard & Paper · Textiles & Clothing

What they do not accept

✕ Food waste
✕ Grass clippings and leaves
✕ Furniture (brown goods)
✕ Construction debris and wood/lumber
✕ Large appliances such as clothes dryers, washers and dishwashers
✕ Tires
✕ Trash
✕ Household Hazardous Waste (pesticides, gas, oil, chemicals)

UARRC does not take food waste, yard waste, furniture, construction debris, wood/lumber, large appliances (dryers, washers, dishwashers), tires, trash, or Household Hazardous Waste (pesticides, gas, oil, chemicals).

Fees

  • Freon appliance (fridge, freezer, A/C, dehumidifier) — $15.00 each
  • Annual membership (non-member-town residents) — $30.00

Access & restrictions

Open to the public · Walk-in (no appointment) · Residents of the eight member towns (Dixmont, Freedom, Jackson, Knox, Montville, Thorndike, Troy, Unity) use the center at no cost; residents of non-member towns may buy a $30 annual membership. All items must be clean, dry and separately sorted by material.

Programs & events

  • Regional member-town recycling — Owned by and serving eight central-Maine towns: Dixmont, Freedom, Jackson, Knox, Montville, Thorndike, Troy and Unity; revenue from baled materials offsets member towns' solid-waste costs.
  • Solar-powered operation — In Spring 2018 the UARRC switched to solar power to reduce its fossil-fuel use.
  • Universal Hazardous Waste and e-waste collection — Collects mixed electronic waste, televisions, computers, game consoles, batteries and mercury-containing items as Universal Hazardous Waste.

Materials, fees and hours can change — call ahead to confirm before your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use the Unity Area Regional Recycling Center?

Residents of the eight member towns (Dixmont, Freedom, Jackson, Knox, Montville, Thorndike, Troy and Unity) use it at no additional cost. Residents of non-member towns may purchase an annual membership for $30.

Does UARRC charge for anything?

Most recycling is free for member-town residents, but there is a $15 charge for each Freon appliance (refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner or dehumidifier). Freon appliances must still contain Freon and be clean and mold-free.

Can I drop off a TV or old computer?

Yes. UARRC accepts televisions, computers, monitors, game consoles and mixed electronic waste as Universal Hazardous Waste. E-waste should still have functioning circuitry; keep batteries intact and separate from other recyclables.

What won't they take?

No food or yard waste, furniture, construction debris, wood/lumber, large appliances like washers and dryers, tires, trash, or Household Hazardous Waste such as pesticides, gas, oil or chemicals.

Last verified: October 2026. Sources: source · source. Spotted something wrong? Suggest a correction.

Recycling Centers Near Thorndike

Contact & Location

📍
Address
95 Leonard Rd, Thorndike, ME 04986
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🌐
Website
uarrc.org
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City / State
Thorndike, Maine

Opening Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Location Map

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