Despite local pushback, the Juniper Ridge landfill has been approved of an expansion by the Maine DEP.

The landfill in Alton, which is the largest in Maine, was looking to expand in order to meet the state’s waste goals.

The DEP ruled in favor of the expansion in October 2025, but it was put on hold after an appeal from Penobscot Nation and conservationists argued the move would worsen environmental hazards.

The DEP is approving the expansion once again after some additional studying.

An approval means the landfill would expand by 61 acres and open up nearly 12 million yards of additional capacity.

Penobscot Nation and the Conservation Law Foundation are considering possible next steps.