Here’s What You Need To Know About Spring Clean Up In The Greater Bangor Area

Spring is here, and folks have already started the annual process of packing up and throwing out the old to make way for the new.

Spring cleaning is a much-needed event in most homes, and can often be cathartic. But it can also be overwhelming. It's hard to know what you should and shouldn't or can and can't throw out and where to dispose of things.

Many towns offer some limited curbside removal once a year, and if yours is one of them, you should take full advantage of that. When the Public Works Department comes around and picks up the piles of yard debris, sticks, leaves, and also trash, and bulky items, it saves you from having to schlepp it away yourself.  So it's good to know when those pickups will be happening, and just what's allowed.

There are also events where you can bring old household items or e-waste. So those old printers and computers you have sitting around can finally go away.

Here's a list of things you might want to know about Spring Clean up in the greater Bangor area.

If you're looking to dispose of chemicals like old paints and polyurethanes, there's a resource you should check out online called paintcare.org. That can provide you with a list of drop-off locations near you where you can bring your old paint, to have it thrown away properly.

If you're looking to get rid of e-waste, like old computers, word processors, or tablets and printers, the Challenger Learning Center has an E-Waste Disposal Program going on now through April 18th. For a donation, you'll be able to drive right up to their collection spot at the North Coast Services collection warehouse and have an attendant unload the items you want to get rid of, right from your car.

"Suggested donations: $10/ first item, $5 each additional.  Accepting cash/checks. There will be a drop box for your donations when you drop off your e-waste. Checks can be payable to: Challenger."

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According to the Bangor Publis Works Department, the city-wide collection of branches, brush, and scrap metal will start at 6:30 AM on Monday, April 28th.

"Please pile your waste parallel to the road, but not in the road, avoid low-hanging wires, and don't stack it around your household trash bin. Lumber, boards, and demolition debris will not be picked up. If these are mixed in with your branches, the branches will not be picked up... Examples of acceptable metal waste include washers, dryers, charcoal grills, etc. We cannot pick up any items containing freon, anything containing liquid hazardous waste (oil, gas, diesel, kerosene, mercury, paint, etc.), or electronic waste such as TVs, computer monitors, computers, etc."

Residents are encouraged to bring smaller branches, brush, or leaf waste to the Public Works facility at 530 Maine Ave.

Brewer's Public Works collection of curbside brush and scrap metal starts on Monday, May 5th. They'll also open the landfill to residents to help with Spring Cleaning efforts, but regular disposal fees will apply to all items dropped off there.

"Starting on the north end towards Eddington and working south towards the Orrington end of the City. The Brewer Landfill will be open to Brewer Residents from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, 2025, through Saturday, May 3, 2025. During this time, we will be accepting any materials allowable at the landfill."

Old Town is changing how they're dealing with Spring Clean Up this year. After receiving multiple complaints about enormous piles of waste (both bulky and at times human) lining the yards of some residents' homes, and folks from out of town dumping their garbage into these piles, the City of Old Town won't be doing a curbside pick up this year. Instead, it's going to be a ticketed drop-off event at the Old Town Public Works at 73 Airport Road. The event will run from 7 AM through 3 PM, on Saturday, May 17th.

"Free tickets will be required for residents to bring items to the event.
Tickets can be acquired at the Old Town City Hall. The City of Old Town will provide an opportunity for residents to bring large bulky items to the Old Town Public Works facility on Saturday, May 17th this year. "

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Other Opportunities To Dispose Of Or Recycle Your Stuff:

If you're looking to get rid of things other than yard waste, there are other ways to do that.

The Staples store in Bangor will take your E-Waste any day they're open. You just have to bring it in.

If you have any household items or building materials that are still useful, Habitat For Humanity of Greater Bangor would love to take those off your plate and resell them in their  ReStore, using the money to build houses for low-income Mainers.

Hopefully, with a little pre-planning, you'll be able to make the most out of this year's Spring Clean-Up season.