Demolition debris OK at landfill
IN THE CITY
Life may have just gotten a little easier for contractors, builders, carpenters, and those of you who construct, renovate, and demolish buildings. For many years, perhaps more than 15 years, the Presque Isle Landfill has had a policy requiring all clean wood to be separated from construction and demolition debris. Clean wood is defined as wood that is not pressure treated, not creosote treated, or wood that is not contaminated with other materials. For many years, clean wood could not be landfilled.
By vote of the City Council on Feb. 2, the policy has now been changed to permit the mixing of clean wood with construction debris and demolition debris. What this means is that if you are demolishing a structure or a portion of a structure, you can mix the clean wood (wall studs, floor joists, roof rafters, boards, etc) in with other demolition materials such as roofing, siding, flooring, sheetrock, and insulation. You will no longer have to keep the clean wood separate from other demolition materials.
Likewise, if you are constructing or renovating a building, you can mix the clean wood in with other construction waste materials. All construction debris and demolition debris can be landfilled with or without clean wood. This policy will save those involved in the construction industry both time and money by not having to separate clean wood from other construction or demolition materials.
The second change in the policy involves a reduction in the tipping fee at the Presque Isle Landfill. The tipping fee for construction debris and demolition debris is now $82 per ton, including the State of Maine special waste fee. This new reduced rate became effective Feb. 3, 2015. Third, the policy now permits construction debris and demolition debris to be landfilled at the Presque Isle Landfill regardless of which municipality it originates from.
We anticipate that this change in the landfill policy will make it less costly for the builder or contractor by speeding up the waste sorting process, particularly in the demolition of buildings. Please note that all other landfill rules and policies remain in force. Clean wood not generated during the construction or demolition of a building still must be kept separate at the landfill. If you have any questions about the new policy on the landfilling of construction debris and demolition debris, please contact the Solid Waste Division at 760-2712 or the Presque Isle Landfill at 764-2541.
Dana H. Fowler, P.E., is public services director for the city of Presque Isle. He can be reached at 760-2707 or via email at dfowler@presqueisleme.us.
