Maine DEP and Triumvirate Environmental begin work to recycle 27,000 tons of discarded carpet In Warren

Warren, Maine - Staff from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Town of Warren and Triumvirate Environmental have begun work to prepare for the removal and shipment of 27,000 tons of carpet-like fiber to a recycling facility in Pennsylvania.

Intended for the construction of shot and sound containment berms at the former rifle range, the material was never used and is a fire hazard. Finding acceptable solutions for cleaning up this site has been a long process for the Town and DEP.

"This was a win for both the environment and the economy," said Governor LePage. "I applaud the Department for seeking a proposal that promotes a sustainable economy and cleans up the environment. This project shows that environmental stewardship and job creation can be done together. By viewing the fiber as a resource, Triumvirate Environmental has created a value-added product to what was once considered waste."

Commissioner Patricia Aho made it a top priority for the Department and after looking at multiple approaches issued requests for proposals last year for the removal of the material with the provision that it could not be landfilled. The contract was awarded to Triumvirate Environmental of Somerville, Massachusetts. At no cost to the State, they plan to turn the discarded carpet-like material into commercial building materials. "The department sought innovative solutions and the Triumvirate Environmental proposal to turn the fiber into a composite lumber is truly a prime example of how to beneficially use materials. I'm also pleased that because of DEP actions, the Town of Warren will finally have this property cleaned up so it can be put back into productive use," said Commissioner Aho.

Last fall, DEP, the Town and Triumvirate began planning for vehicular access onto the site, locating a temporary trailer for site workers, and erosion and stormwater controls. At that time, Triumvirate began removing some of the more easily accessible material. Starting on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, Triumvirate will remove approximately 40 tons of the material per week. A more aggressive schedule will start on October 1, 2015. The contract requires all of the uncovered fiber material, which poses the greatest fire hazard, to be removed from the site by April 2017. This is a long-awaited result for both the Town of Warren and DEP.