BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 18, 2026
The owner of a trash incinerator in Auburn has failed to pay nearly $700,000 to a contractor, according to a lawsuit filed Friday. Maine Waste to Energy has not paid contractor Zampell Refractories for six different jobs, totaling $678,505, alleged the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Portland. Zampell wants a judge to order the sale of the incinerator and property, with proceeds going to the contractor to pay off the liens, the lawsuit said. Maine is facing a trash crisis as other facilities in the state are either not operating or operating at a reduced capacity and sending trash to landfills. Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town is filling faster than expected and is seeking permission to expand.