AUBURN — The city will begin charging a fee for disposing of bulky waste items following years of operating either a free program or annual pickups.

An announcement Thursday said Saturday, June 28, is the last day to leave items at Maine Waste to Energy on Goldthwaite Road at no cost.

“We know that residents value this program,” Assistant City Manager Denis D’Auteuil said. “We’ll continue to look for solutions and ways to meet our residents’ bulky waste needs.”

After years of conducting annual spring bulky waste pickups, Auburn paused the program in 2022 and shifted to the drop-off only model in 2023 at the Goldthwaite Road facility at no cost.

Starting June 30, residents will be required to pay 10 cents per pound, or a rate of $200 per ton. Proof of residency is required.

City spokesperson Liz Allen said the City Council evaluated the program data this spring and made the decision to end the free drop-off program.

From April 2023 through April 2025, the program cost Auburn $386,148, during which time 2,082 tons of waste were collected.

According to the city’s website, bulky waste is considered furniture, mattresses and box springs, air conditioners, tires, rugs, metals — excluding large auto parts and metals containing hazardous materials — propane tanks, washers, dryers, refrigerators, and other small appliances, wood waste, including construction and demolition debris, sheetrock and shingles.

Maine Waste to Energy will not accept hazardous materials such as paints, oils, cleaners, gasoline or liquids of any type.

Maine Waste to Energy is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon. Residents may be asked to show proof of residency, the city said.

Thursday’s announcement said other disposal programs will continue as is. Residents can still bring electronic waste, such as televisions, computer monitors and fluorescent bulbs to the Public Works Garage at 296 Gracelawn Road.

Recycling and textiles, including clothing, shoes and accessories, can be left in bins provided at Gracelawn Road; and brush, leaves, logs and other real wood products can be dropped at Oldcastle at 481 Springwater Road (state Route 122), Poland, at no cost.

Food waste can be dropped at Gracelawn Road or at the New Auburn Fire Station at 181 South Main St. According to the city, residents can also expect to hear more about the city’s expanded organic waste disposal program in the months ahead.