Are there local charities that will accept items no longer needed?
Do I need to purchase a permit to use the Hatch Hill facility?
All customers are required to purchase a Hatch Hill vehicle permit. (Augusta residents may use a 3-trip pass.) The scale operator issues vehicle permits to cash customers, who want to purchase them at Hatch Hill, provided they have a valid vehicle registration from Augusta or one of the contracting communities. Vehicle permits may also be purchased at the Tax Collector's office located on the top floor of the Augusta City Center.
The contracting communities are: Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner (includes South Gardiner, not West Gardiner), Hallowell, Manchester, Randolph, and Whitefield.
Customers with registrations outside of the service area, who want temporary permits or who want to set up a charge account are required to purchase their permit at the Treasurer's Office at the Augusta City Center. Vehicle permits are good for two calendar years. For example, a permit purchased in April 2006 is good until December of 2007. Effective July 1, 2005, costs for vehicle permits will be:
Type |
Cost |
Residential Vehicles (cars, pick-ups, vans, and SUV's) |
$15.00 |
Commercial Vehicles (use GVW/2000) |
$8.00 per registered ton |
Temporary Permits |
$25.00 for up to 15 days |
Do you have information on computer, television and other universal waste recycling?
How does the landfill operate?
Hatch Hill runs like a business within the City of Augusta. All users of the facility are charged a fee for the material that they bring in for disposal or recycling. Vehicles are weighed on a truck scale, both on the way in and out. A tipping fee is determined based on the weight of the items you bring to the facility. Revenues received from these tipping fees pay for the costs associated with the operation. The tipping fees are as follows:
Item |
Cost |
Landfill (rubbish, trash, etc.) |
$72.00 per ton ($6.00 min. fee for <160 pounds of rubbish) |
Residential Recyclables* |
$25.00 per ton ($2.00 min. fee for <160 pounds of recyclables) |
Other Recyclables** |
$50.00 per ton ($5 min. fee for <201 pounds of rubbish) |
Vehicle Tires |
$110.00 per ton or $2.00 per each passenger car/pick-up tire and $20.00 per each large vehicle tire |
Universal Wastes |
Prices vary, please see attached price list |
*Residential recyclables are: clear glass bottles and jars, newspaper/magazine mix, HDPE (#2) plastic, corrugated cardboard, steel/aluminum food and beverage cans, scrap metal and white goods.
**Other recyclables are: clean wood debris, brush and clean asphalt shingles.
PLEASE NOTE: Fees may be adjusted periodically to reflect costs of the operation. Additionally, new regulations may require certain items be recycled instead of landfilled. Fee schedules will be developed and adjusted as necessary.
What are the directions to Hatch Hill?
From the City's east side (Cony Circle), take the route 105 (South Belfast Avenue) exit. At the top of the hill after passing the old high school (which will be on your right) bear left. Continue going east on route 105 for a distance of approximately 2 1/2 miles. The Hatch Hill facility is located on the left, turn left at the "Hatch Hill Solid Waste Facility" sign onto the Hatch Hill Road and stop at the traffic light when you reach the Scale House which is approximately a half mile up this road.
What are the hours of operation at Hatch Hill?
Hatch Hill is open Tuesday thru Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The facility is closed Sunday, Monday and legal holidays.
What does the Solid Waste Bureau do?
Under State law, municipalities have a responsibility to provide a place for the disposal of solid waste generated within their municipality. In order to meet this requirement of the law, the City of Augusta operates the Hatch Hill Solid Waste Recycling and Disposal Facility located on South Belfast Avenue, consisting of approximately 440 acres of city-owned land. This regional operation serves three major purposes:
- Providing solid waste disposal and recycling services to our customers;
- Operating the facility with the intent to comply with all applicable environmental regulations; and
- Planning for future solid waste disposal needs.
- Hatch Hill Regional Recycling Plan - Final Report 2009
What services are provided at Hatch Hill?
Hatch Hill is a full-service solid waste facility and provides the following services:
- Rubbish is landfilled in an 18-acre double lined landfill licensed for operation by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, for a fee.
- Recycling of residential recyclables such as, clear glass bottles and jars, steel and aluminum cans, milk jugs, newspaper/magazines/catalogs and corrugated cardboard, for a fee.
- Recycling of bulky material - wood, metal, asphalt shingles and tires, for a fee. Freon is removed from white goods as required by the EPA. Recycling of bulky wood waste, bulky metals and tires is mandatory.
- Leaves/grass clippings and Christmas trees are recycled free of charge. Recycling of these items is mandatory. Customers must weigh in and out. No vehicle permit is required.
- Leaf compost and wood chips are given away to users of the facility free of charge. Customers must weigh in and out. A front-end loader is usually available to assist with loading these products onto your vehicle between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. No permit is required. Quantities may be limited.
- Non-friable asbestos from residences of Augusta or one of the contracting communities is accepted, for a fee, by appointment only.
- Recycling of universal waste for residents and small businesses, for a fee and is mandatory. Universal Wastes are items containing mercury such as fluorescent light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, mercury switches and mercury devices, computer monitors and televisions.
Where can I get information on pesticide collection?
Where can I purchase a composting bin?
Where is the nearest household hazardous waste site?
The Maine Environmental Depot accepts household hazardous waste. Visit their
website for acceptable items, hours of operation, and more related details.
Who can use Hatch Hill?
Hatch Hill is a regional solid waste disposal and recycling facility, serving the City of Augusta and seven neighboring communities that contract with Augusta to use this facility. These communities are Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner (includes South Gardiner, not West Gardiner), Hallowell, Manchester, Pittston, Randolph, and Whitefield. Services are provided to all residents, businesses, and governmental agencies within the service area using a vehicle with a valid Hatch Hill permit.
Who is permitted to purchase a 3-trip pass to use Hatch Hill?
An Augusta resident is allowed to use Hatch Hill and pay the required tipping fees three times a year without having to buy a Hatch Hill permit. In order to get a 3-trip pass, the customer must show proof of Augusta residency at the Hatch Hill facility. This can be done with a driver's license, car registration, or utility bill. If an Augusta resident has used their 3-trip pass for that calendar year, then they need to purchase a Hatch Hill permit. Persons performing work for residents, for example someone hired to take items to Hatch Hill, are not permitted to have a 3-trip pass.