An emerging market for non-high density plastics (HDP) has Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District officials considering purchasing a second baler. The district uses its only baler to compress No. 2 plastics or HDP which it sells for $77 per ton, according to Manager Steve Lewis. Other plastics are not recycled. The non-HDP plastic is placed into the compactor with other refuse and transported to the Penobscot Energy Refuse Company in Orrington.

The BRRDD pays PERC a $77 per ton tipping fee. During the June 9 trustees meeting, Lewis proposed recycling and selling all plastics. The district sells No. 2 plastics for $700 per ton. Lewis believes there is a new market for non-HDP plastics.

“The market is no where near what it is for No. 2, but if you can sell it, it’s obviously better for us,” he said.

Lewis estimates a second baler would cost between $8,000 and $9,000. He will examine the feasibility of recycling non-HDP plastics and make a recommendation at the next trustees’ meeting.

In other action, Lewis reported the Municipal Review Committee and its solid waste disposal partner, Fiberight, LLC., may not reach its tonnage goal for the proposed new plant in Hampden.

The trustees entered into a 15-year agreement March 10 with the MRC and Fiberight, LLC., a Maryland-based clean energy technology business. Fiberight is building a new $85 million plant in Hampden.

The BRRDD is one of 187 members of the Municipal Review Committee (MRC), a non-profit conglomeration of Maine municipalities charged with finding solid waste disposal options for its membership. 

The MRC’s contract with PERC expires in 2018. The MRC’s and Fiberight’s joint venture needs 150,000 tons per year to operate the proposed facility. Fiberight is using a new technology to convert solid waste into biofuels. Lewis reported, so far, the new venture has received commitments for about 87,000 tons.

“They expect the final number to be between 110,000 to 140,000 tons which means probably building a smaller facility. The impact on us is likely to be a reduced cost through lower tipping fees,” Lewis said.

The trustees ended the meeting by entering into an executive session to discuss employee evaluations.

The trustees will meet next at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, in the district’s business office.