On May 6, 2025, the Town of Nantucket entered into a new Waste Services Agreement (the WSA) with Waste Options Nantucket, LLC (Waste Options). This new WSA, with an initial 10-year term starting on December 1, 2025, replaces a prior agreement scheduled to terminate on November 30, 2025. The WSA would have Waste Options (i) manage solid waste received at the Town-owned Site at 188 Madaket Road; and (ii) operate and maintain the facilities at the Site on behalf of the Town. The WSA includes a detailed Scope of Services spanning eight Service Areas for Waste Options to provide in exchange for a detailed Service Fee catered to each Service Area. More information on the contracts and business terms is available at https://www.nantucket-ma.gov/3630/New-Waste-Service-Agreement

The new contract constitutes the culmination of a multi-year effort led by CommonWealth Resource Management Corporation (CRMC). CRMC began by developing and issuing a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to evaluate vendor responses regarding alternative technologies and approaches for solid waste management on Nantucket given its existing waste management facilities and resources, seasonal population swings, desire for environmental leadership and sustainability and the challenges of the need for a comprehensive set of services on an island setting. After reviewing the RFEI responses, CRMC worked with Town staff and committees to create and develop a comprehensive Request for Proposals (RFP). The RFP was issued on the Open.Gov platform in June 2024, with responses received on September 26, 2024. CRMC then worked with the Town evaluation committee to review and evaluate responses; support the basis for the Select Board award to Waste Options; and lead negotiations of the Waste Services Agreement and accompanying exhibits and agreements.

For more details, contact George Aronson, CRMC, at garonson@crmcx.com.

On June 30, 2023, the Municipal Review Committee, Inc. (MRC), comprised of 83 members representing 115 Maine municipalities, and Innovative Resource Recovery (Innovative), a pioneering materials management company backed by private equity, announced the signing of landmark agreements to become co-owners of the Advanced Waste Processing and Recycling Facility in Hampden, Maine. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in advancing sustainable waste management practices and promoting a circular economy in Maine. The Hampden plant has long been recognized as a crucial hub for effective waste processing and recycling in the region. By bringing together the expertise and resources of MRC and Innovative, this partnership aims to enhance operational efficiencies, expand recycling capabilities, and further reduce the environmental impact of municipal solid waste.

The Facility had accepted mixed MSW for processing from MRC members from its start-up in 2019 through May 27, 2020, the start of the pandemic period, when operations were suspended due to lack of cash. In response, the trustee for the Facility’s lenders had the Facility placed in receivership through a filing in Penobscot County Superior Court. The MRC, assisted by CommonWealth Resource Management Corporation (CRMC), worked with the trustee and the receiver to secure the condition of the Facility; to purchase the facility out of receivership; and to identify a private party (Innovative) to implement and finance redevelopment and return to commercial operation. CRMC supported negotiation of detailed terms and conditions of the sale and redevelopment agreements and of satisfaction of conditions for closure of financing to support the sale. The Facility is projected to resume processing in the summer of 2025 and return to full commercial operation in 2026.

For more details, contact George Aronson, CRMC, at garonson@crmcx.com.