Tri-County Transfer Station
Recycling Center in Union, Maine
About This Location
The Tri-County Transfer Station, operated by the Tri-County Solid Waste Management Organization (TCSWMO) at 3519 Heald Highway (Route 17) in Union, Maine, has served the communities of Appleton, Liberty, Somerville, Union, and Washington since it opened in the spring of 1992. Residents bring household garbage in required TCSWMO green bags, recyclables including #2 plastics, glass bottles, cans, paper, and cardboard, as well as scrap metal and construction waste. The station is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. (scale closes at 4:00 p.m. sharp) and is closed on major holidays. An Apparel Impact bin accepts clean, reusable clothing, and returnables (bottles and cans) can be dropped off to benefit local fire departments. All garbage is transferred to the EcoMaine waste-to-energy plant in Portland; recyclables go to the Lincoln County recycling center in Wiscasset; and scrap metal is sold to a recycler — nothing is sent to a landfill.
What Tri-County Transfer Station Accepts
Related recycling guides: Appliances · Glass · Plastic · Cardboard & Paper · Textiles & Clothing
What they do not accept
The station does not accept household hazardous waste. The official website lists items such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, fuels, antifreeze, paint, mercury-containing devices, pool chemicals, and common household chemicals. Visit tcswmo.org/about-our-facility for the full list and disposal alternatives.
Fees
- Household garbage green bags — $2.00 each
- Contractor bags — $4.00 each
- Demo materials and other special items — Fees apply — see station's Recycling and Fees page or call 207-785-2261 for current rates.
Access & restrictions
Public drop-off facility for residents of member towns: Appleton, Liberty, Somerville, Union, and Washington, Maine. Contractors must use contractor bags ($4 each). · Walk-in (no appointment) · Garbage must be in TCSWMO-branded green bags. The scale closes at 4:00 p.m. sharp, 20 minutes before the facility closes at 4:20 p.m. Closed on major holidays. For a list of contractors who will haul trash to the station, contact the station or your local town office.
Programs & events
- Apparel Impact Clothing Bin — Clean clothing and textiles accepted for reuse or repurposing. Do not place dirty, wet clothes or garbage in the bin.
- Local Fire Department Bottle & Can Drive — Returnable bottles and cans deposited at the station benefit local fire departments.
- Annual Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day — Held once a year (2024 event was June 22, 8:30–11:00 a.m.) for residents of Appleton, Liberty, Somerville, Union, and Washington. Accepts paints, stains, thinners, solvents, varnishes, lacquers, wood preservatives, and adhesives.
Materials, fees and hours can change — call ahead to confirm before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bag my garbage before bringing it to the transfer station?
Yes. All household garbage must be in TCSWMO-branded green bags, which cost $2.00 each. You can buy them at the transfer station itself, your local town office, or at some local businesses.
Is the Tri-County Transfer Station open to everyone, or only residents of certain towns?
The station serves the five member communities of Appleton, Liberty, Somerville, Union, and Washington, Maine. If you have questions about eligibility, call Facility Manager David Stanley at 207-785-2261.
What time does the scale close — and is it different from the gate closing time?
Yes. The scale closes at 4:00 p.m. sharp, while the facility itself closes at 4:20 p.m. on open days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday). Plan to arrive early enough to get weighed before 4:00 p.m.
Can I drop off paint, motor oil, or other household chemicals?
No. The station does not accept household hazardous waste including paints, motor oil, gasoline, diesel, antifreeze, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, or common household cleaning chemicals. For paint, PaintCare.org lists free year-round drop-off sites. For motor oil, contact the station for a list of local businesses that accept it.
When is the annual Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day, and what does it accept?
TCSWMO holds its HHW Drop-Off Day once a year — in 2024 it was Saturday, June 22, from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the transfer station. It accepts paints, stains, thinners, paint strippers, solvents (e.g., acetone), varnishes, lacquers, wood preservatives, and adhesives, for residents of Appleton, Liberty, Somerville, Union, and Washington only. Watch for announcements each spring.
Last verified: November 2026. Sources: source · source · source · source. Spotted something wrong? Suggest a correction.