Recycling Centers in Union, ME
Find drop-off recycling locations in Union, Maine. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
If you live in Union and need a convenient place to recycle, this directory helps you find local recycling centers. These centers accept standard materials like paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and aluminum, as well as specialty items depending on the facility. Browse the listings below to find contact information and hours for each location.
Recycling in Union: A Local Guide
Union is a small Knox County town in midcoast Maine served by two distinct recycling facilities — a bottle-redemption center for Maine deposit containers and a multi-material transfer station run by a regional solid-waste authority.
Union Redemption at 104 Sennebec Rd is a dedicated Maine Bottle Bill redemption center, open Monday–Friday 9 AM–6 PM and Saturday 9 AM–noon. It pays the state deposit back on qualifying returnable bottles and cans — 5 cents per standard container and 15 cents per wine or liquor bottle. No residency card is required; walk in during posted hours. Call (207) 785-3338 before a large return to confirm capacity.
Tri-County Transfer Station at 3519 Heald Hwy (Route 17) is operated by the Tri-County Solid Waste Management Organization and has served Union plus the neighboring towns of Appleton, Liberty, Somerville, and Washington since 1992. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 8 AM–4:20 PM (scale closes 4 PM sharp), it accepts household garbage in required TCSWMO green bags ($2 each), #2 plastics, glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans, paper, cardboard, scrap metal, and construction/demolition waste. An Apparel Impact bin takes clean clothing, and a once-yearly HHW drop-off event accepts paints, solvents, and other hazardous materials for member-town residents. Household hazardous waste is not accepted on regular days.
All Recycling Centers in Union
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Union
Where can I return deposit bottles and cans in Union, ME?
Union Redemption at 104 Sennebec Rd accepts Maine deposit containers Monday–Friday 9 AM–6 PM and Saturday 9 AM–noon. You receive 5 cents per standard returnable and 15 cents per wine or liquor bottle. Call (207) 785-3338 to confirm hours before a large return.
Can Union residents drop off glass, cardboard, and scrap metal at the transfer station?
Yes. The Tri-County Transfer Station accepts glass bottles, #2 plastics, aluminum/steel cans, paper, cardboard, and scrap metal from residents of Union and the four other member towns. Recyclables are taken to Lincoln County's recycling center in Wiscasset at no charge; scrap metal is sold to a recycler. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 8 AM–4:20 PM.
Does the Tri-County Transfer Station accept paint or household chemicals?
No — household hazardous waste including paints, motor oil, gasoline, antifreeze, pesticides, and pool chemicals is not accepted on regular operating days. TCSWMO holds one annual HHW drop-off event (in 2024 it was June 22, 8:30–11 AM) for residents of the five member towns. For paint year-round, PaintCare.org lists free drop-off sites nearby.
Is the transfer station open to anyone, or only to residents of certain towns?
It primarily serves the five TCSWMO member communities: Appleton, Liberty, Somerville, Union, and Washington, Maine. Contractors must use $4 TCSWMO contractor bags. If you are outside these towns, call Facility Manager David Stanley at (207) 785-2261 to confirm your eligibility.