Lincoln County Recycling has a new rear loader compactor container (dump truck or “packer”) to haul recycled plastics.

Recycling supervisor Michael Thompson said the first two trucks he tried to buy from a North Carolina company did not work out. One had many mechanical defects and did not make it to Maine. The second, a 2002 International, was brought to the 54 Huntoon Hill Road facility on a flatbed. It failed inspection for a number of reasons, such as: leaking engine block, worn head gasket and other issues.

Thompson said this 2001 Mack is the winner. It has 47,000 miles logged on its odometer and cost the county $63,000.

Thompson purchased the “packer” from Trucks and Parts, located in Tampa, Fla.

Having passed inspection at Mainely Towing in Chelsea, Thompson's driver has taken it out on the road. “It runs real well,” Thompson said.