No. Residents may dispose of household waste at our Recycling Center, or contract with private haulers for disposal of household waste.

The Recycling Center is located on Dennison Drive, just off of Spurwink Avenue Click here for directions

Click here for information on obtaining a permit

There is no fee for residents to dispose of non-recyclable household rubbish provided they have a Town-issued Recycling Center permit. Residents may also access the silver bullet recycling bins, swap shop and Goodwill/Salvation Army donation boxes free of charge. Disposal of other materials, including tires, white goods, brush and limbs, does require a fee. See Fee Schedule page.

Fee Payments: Fees can be paid by cash, check, credit card or by coupon. Coupons are available at the Town Hall, the Public Works Facility, or at the Recycling Center Office.

Below is a list of acceptable materials and materials not accepted. For an item-by-item list, please see our Recycling A-to-Z page.

Brush, Demolition, Metal Goods, and Wood Waste: These items may be deposited in a designated area pursuant to the fee schedule. The facility will accept up to the equivalent of two (2) pick-up truck loads per day of separated materials. There is no charge for Christmas Trees.

Clothing, Shoes, and Linens:  There are three donation receptacles that accept used clothing, shoes, and linens. Each receptacle is operated for individual organizations with varying accepted items. Please determine which receptacle is appropriate for your donation contents.

Compostable Materials: Leaves, grass clippings, vegetable wastes and organic matter shall be placed in a designated area at the Recycling Center. All compostable matter shall be dumped from plastic bags. Residents should use biodegradable bags for all compostable materials. See: Composting Basics.

Residents should undertake backyard-composting programs to reduce the amount of yard wastes coming into the facility. The Recycling Committee can offer assistance to anyone interested in starting such a program.

Domestic and Non-Domestic Refuse: Non-recyclable domestic and non-domestic refuse shall be placed in the Recycling Center hopper. Commercial haulers shall take all such refuse directly to ecomaine and shall be responsible for any fees assessed by ecomaine.

E-Waste: Residents may dispose of some electronic waste or "e-waste" in designated areas at the Recycling Center. These items include:

• Computer Equipment: CPUs (computer towers), Printers, Keyboards, Peripherals
• Electronics
• Old Stereo Equipment

Paint: Products covered by the PaintCare program and accepted for drop-off are defined as interior and exterior architectural coatings sold in containers of 5 gallons or smaller.  They do not include aerosol products (spray cans), industrial maintenance (IM), original equipment manufacturer (OEM), or specialty coatings.  Click here for details.

White Goods & Furniture: White goods such as refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, water tanks, etc. may be deposited at the designated location at the Recycling Center, pursuant to the fee schedule. Full size sofas and box springs can also be deposited, in accordance with the same fee schedule.

Swap Shop:  The Recycling Committee oversees the operation of the "Swap Shop". The building houses a collection of books, magazines and household items for drop off and pick up. Residents can leave items (a list of acceptable items is posted inside the building) that can be used by others. No items may be taken for future sale.

Bottle Redemption Building: Residents are encouraged to leave their returnables at the Bottle Redemption Building which is located adjacent to the Swap Shop. Proceeds benefit a variety of non-profit groups and organizations in the community. Interested groups should contact the  Recycling Center Office at 799-0324 for details and eligibility.

Used Oil: Used motor and hydraulic oil is accepted at the facility at no charge. No other lubricants or chemicals are accepted. Look for the yellow "igloo" structure near the Recycling Center.

Inert Material and Stove Ash: Rocks, dirt, sand, and stove ash are accepted and shall be placed in designated areas. The above material will not be accepted from private contractors. There is no fee.

Items Not Accepted at the Recycling Center: Stumps, stumpage, concrete, hazardous wastes*, motor vehicles, large sections of motor vehicles, septage, and oil tanks.

*Hazardous Wastes are accepted once a year on Hazardous Waste Day.  Click here for details.

Beginning July 1, 2023, the Recycling Center will follow the new schedule listed below:

MONDAYS:            CLOSED

TUESDAYS:           10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS:     8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

THURSDAYS:        CLOSED

FRIDAYS:               8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.               

SATURDAYS:        8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.       

SUNDAYS:            CLOSED

The current schedule will continue through June 30, 2023.

THE RECYCLING CENTER IS CLOSED ON:  New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. 

Additional User Information: The speed limit within the Recycling Center is 15 mph. Vehicles should use caution within the complex and yield to users dropping off materials. Children are not allowed in the compactor area of the Recycling Center. Smoking and unnecessary loitering is also not permitted. The Town reserves the right to randomly check vehicles and loads to assure that only Cape Elizabeth-generated materials is brought to the Recycling Center. Solicitation is permitted for non-profit groups primarily based in Cape Elizabeth. Political candidates and supporters are allowed to conduct campaign activities in a manner that does not impede the orderly flow of traffic within the complex.