BIDDEFORD — Thursday was the first day of operations of the Westbrook waste transfer station and according to Biddeford’s director of Public Works, that day’s trash run went well.

After 25 years of operation, the Maine Energy Recovery Company waste-to-energy incinerator in downtown Biddeford closed for good on Dec. 31.

As a result, Biddeford, and 13 other southern Maine communities that previously brought trash to the Biddeford facility, now take it to a newly constructed transfer station in Westbrook. The transfer station is owned by Casella Waste Systems, the parent company of Maine Energy.

Thursday’s trash drop-off went smoothly, said Biddeford Public Works Director Guy Casavant.

After a day off for the Jan. 1 New Year’s holiday, Wednesday was the first day that Maine Energy no longer accepted waste.

However, the occupancy permit for the Westbrook facility wasn’t received until the end of that day, said Casavant, so Biddeford Public Works crews and those from the other communities were directed to take waste to Ecomaine, an incinerator in Portland.

Casella will cover that cost, said Casavant.

Maine Energy closed as a result of the City of Biddeford purchasing the facility.

On Nov. 30, City Manager John Bubier signed papers on behalf of the city to acquire the incinerator for $6.65 million, to be paid for interest-free over the next 20 years.

Soon, Maine Energy will be torn down, with only the smoke stack remaining.

Since almost the beginning of operations at Maine Energy, many complained about problems associated with it such as odor, truck traffic and potential health risks. The facility and the problems it brought with it were also blamed for slow growth in Biddeford’s downtown and nearby mill district.

With its removal, mill owners and other business people, as well as city officials, have said they believe this will be a new era for Biddeford and herald a revitalization of the city.

The decommissioning of the incinerator began Dec. 26, said Casella spokesman Joe Fusco, when the first of its two boilers was shut down.

The decommissioning process “will take several months,” he said.

According to Fusco, no waste originating out-of-state will go to the transfer station in Westbrook at this time. Waste originating out-of-state, which was accepted at Maine Energy, is now being redirected within Casella’s network, said Fusco.

The Rutland, Vt.-based company primarily does business in New England and New York, according to Casella’s 2012 annual report.

Currently, waste brought to Westbrook, which includes residential and commercial material, will be directed to the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company waste-to-energy incinerator in Orrington, he said. Casella hopes to eventually bring most of this waste to the state-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town, which the company operates.

Last year, an application to amend the landfill’s license was sent to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. During the public comment period, several requests for a public hearing were made and a hearing is planned for early spring, though no date has been set, said DEP spokeswoman Samantha DePoy-Warren.

According to Casavant, there will be no impact on homeowners for now on their waste pick-up, which continues to be taken by Biddeford Public Works crews.

However, he said, there will be changes in July when a curbside recycling program is instituted in Biddeford. Casella will provide the city with 35-gallon trash cans and 65- or 95-gallon recycling containers for residents.

The size of the containers were selected in an effort to encourage people to recycle. A reduction of trash would save city taxpayers money in tipping fees.

Under the new contract with Casella, Biddeford’s waste tipping fee has increased from approximately $45 per ton to $55 per ton, said Casavant.

Soon, he said, an education plan will be put in place to teach residents about the new recycling system so they will know what to expect this summer.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or [email protected].