Site Background:
The Former Mylec Complex Site (the Site) is an approximately 54-acre property located at 155 Mill Circle in Winchendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts (MA). The Site is located at latitude and longitude of 42.694439 north and -72.013345 west. Located on the property is a former mill complex with a building that is estimated to be 66,000 square feet and has been closed since 2011. The Site is located in a predominately residential area with 200 properties within a half-mile radius. The Site is bordered by Mill Circle and Lakeview Drive to the north, Glennallen Street to the west and south, and White’s Mill Pond and undeveloped woodland to the east.
The mill was constructed in 1860 and was a denim and cotton manufacturing plant possessed by several different owners until 1960 including White Brothers Mill. The United States Post Office operated in the northern portion of the mill with records dating back to the late 1800s. From 1960 to 1992, Ray Plastics occupied the mill complex and manufactured various plastic goods. In 1992, the property was purchased by Mill-Win, Inc. Mylec Corporation Inc. operated until 2011 manufacturing plastic sporting goods. Operations in the mill stopped in 2011, and there have been no active operations involving site workers since.
In April 2024, the roof of the northern portion of the mill collapsed. The Town of Winchendon contacted MassDEP after the collapse for public safety and environmental concerns. MassDEP submitted a Removal Action Request to EPA requesting a site evaluation. The buildings are presumed to potentially have asbestos-containing material (ACM) due to the age of the mill buildings dating back to 1938. There have been no asbestos surveys conducted to date.
Current Site Status:
EPA signed an Action Memorandum on June 25, 2025, to remove the asbestos-containing material (ACM). Work is expected to be complete by October 17, 2025. The Agency will coordinate with the current owner of the property and the Town of Winchendon about ongoing site activities.
EPA mobilized to the site in September 2025 to conduct a time critical removal action at the Former Mylec Complex Site located on Mill Circle in Winchendon, MA. The mobilization included, but was not limited to, mobilizing removal personnel to the site to remove the contaminant of concern, asbestos-containing material (ACM), securing the site to prevent trespassers from entering the property during both work and non-work hours, and the delivery of EPA and contractor equipment in preparation of the removal action. The removal actions included the removal of vegetation and building debris to gain access to the areas of contamination; disposal of all waste materials in accordance with all state and federal regulations; and repair any potential removal related damage in preparation to hand the Site back over to the State. EPA worked closely with the state and local partners throughout the removal action.
Transportation and Disposal (T&D) activities have been scheduled in October to remove the ACM. After T&D activities have been completed, EPA will demobilize personnel and remaining equipment from the site.
