WESTBROOK – Stuart Axelrod, division general manager at Pine Tree Waste, a division of Casella Waste Systems, thinks the reason more people haven’t been using his company’s new public drop-off recycling facility is because many haven’t found where it’s located.

The site, located at 594 County Road, is open to the public to drop off items for recycling or disposal, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

“This is the best kept secret in Westbrook right now,” said Dave McNally Jr., site supervisor.

Previously, there were six bins in various locations around the city, but in August they were removed and now there is just the one location. Councilor Mike Sanphy said he has heard complaints that the site is difficult to use because of its limited hours.

Axelrod said the company expected the bins to be much fuller than they are now – some only have one or two items inside. He said after the site gets more exposure and people become accustomed to the new location, he hopes it will turn into a meeting spot for neighbors on Saturdays.

Opened in August, the drop-off center is the second part of a long-term plan that could eventually mean all of Pine Tree Waste’s facilities would be based on County Road.

The first phase of the Pine Tree “campus,” the transfer station, opened in the spring. The transfer station is used for large commercial trucks to drop off big loads from other municipalities, construction sites and businesses. Those loads are taken by even bigger trucks to another Casella site, the Penobscot Energy Recovery Co. facility in Orrington.

Pine Tree Waste provides curbside waste and recycling pickup in Westbrook. The new facility handles larger loads or recycling materials that need specific treatment, like refrigerators, TVs and yard waste, although it does take plastic, metal and paper recycling, as well, but mostly from businesses or from residents outside of Westbrook. People can drive up to the large, open facility and can dump their disposables into truck-sized bins.

The site has a staff member who helps people dispose of their recycling properly and answers any questions, so no one is confused as to why brush, which will be turned into compost, isn’t mixed with yard waste like tree limbs, which aren’t composted.

Having someone to watch the site also cuts down on many of the problems Westbrook faced when the recycling containers were unmanned at the high school, public services building and other locations throughout the city. Often, the bins were messy and filled with waste from businesses.

“It saves the town money. They don’t have to pay to have the bins taken away and it eliminates the mess,” Axelrod said.

The drop-off center can also save people money on their trash fees and taxes, especially those who live in cities like Biddeford and Portland, which charge per trash bag for collection. Recycling products like paper towels and bottles cuts down on the amount of trash each person has to fill their bags.

Recycling and metal are free at the dump site, but there is a cost for some items. TVs and monitors are $4 each, tires run from $5 to $25 and it costs $79 per ton to leave demolition material, furniture and bulky waste and brush or household trash. The attendant helps weigh each load.

A CLOSER LOOK

The city of Westbrook will hold a household hazardous waste collection day on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Public Services, 371 Saco St. Items being collected during this time include asbestos, batteries, mercury, poisons and weed killers, paints and stains, and waste fuels like brake fluid and gasoline. For more information, 591-8135.

Large metal bins are stationed around the public recycling area at the Pine Tree Waste facility on County Road.