by Laurie Schreiber Mainebiz news story Increasing numbers of Maine food businesses and lodgings are putting themselves in the forefront of national and international trends to switch out from petroleum-based items like straws, to-go containers and disposable cups and plates, to eco-friendly compostable versions. The Migis Hotel Group switched from plastic drinking straws to paper Read More
Sustainability
Our vision of sustainability in Maine is ensuring a healthy future for life on Earth. Maine’s clean and healthy environment strengthens the state’s economy and is central to our way of life. Holding polluting corporations accountable through systemic changes in local, state, and federal policies is the key to creating a more healthy, prosperous, sustainable future for us all.
Persuasive 2nd-Grader Prompts Portland to Ban Plastic Straws in City Hall Cafe
The city manager says he’s happy to implement ‘Phoebe’s Rule’ banning plastic straws, and hopes that others will do the same. by Julie Pike, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Portland has joined the growing backlash against disposable plastic straws by ending their use in the Clock Tower Cafe at City Hall. The move Read More
Plastic Bag Bans Signal Imminent Shift Away from Convenience Plastics
People everywhere are talking about plastic pollution more than ever. Researchers all over the world are studying the unnerving prevalence of plastic in the environment and documenting its devastating impacts on our ecosystems—and their findings are startling. You may have heard the terrifying estimate that plastic will outweigh fish in the ocean by 2050; or Read More
Manchester Votes to Ban Plastic Bags in Retail Stores
The vote appears to make Manchester the first capital-area municipality to ban single-use plastic bags in local stores. By Keith Edwards, Staff Writer Central Maine Newspapers news story MANCHESTER — Residents agreed Tuesday in secret-ballot voting to ban plastic bags in retail stores in town. The vote appears to make Manchester the first capital-area municipality Read More
Landfilling Tons of Municipal Waste is an Environmental Tragedy
By Harry Sanborn, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Tens of thousands of tons of municipal solid waste from all over eastern Maine are now heading directly to landfills. This is a monumental tragedy for Maine’s environment, and it is sad that state officials charged with protecting Maine’s environment seem to be looking Read More
Beer in Cans: A Greener Way to Go
By Bonnie Washuk, Staff Writer Sun Journal news story LEWISTON — From an environmental standpoint, canned beer is better than bottled. “Beer cans are twice as likely as beer bottles to be recycled,” said Luke Livingston, 33, founder and owner of Baxter Brewing in Lewiston. Environmentalists agree that cans are recycled more than bottles. Worldwide, Read More
Bath’s Bag Ban Kicks Off Sunday…on Earth Day
by Nathan Strout, Times Record Staff Times Record news story The city of Bath will celebrate Earth Day on Sunday by banning single-use plastic bags and polystyrene containers. The ordinance was approved by the city council in November 2017 with almost zero opposition. The long interim period between passage and the ordinance going into effect Read More
Hall-Dale Middle School Students Start Composting Program
The program is made possible through a grant from the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Through a grant from the Natural Resources Council of Maine, Hall-Dale Middle School students are starting a composting program in their school cafeteria to reduce food waste, according to a news release from the council. Middle school students in the Read More
Camden’s Sea Dog Brewing Co. Reduces Use of Plastic Straws
By Susan Mustapich Village Soup news story CAMDEN — A simple suggestion from staff at the Camden Sea Dog Brewing Co. is rapidly cutting down on the number of plastic straws used at the restaurant and brewpub. Earlier this month, wait staff and bartenders stopped putting straws in most drinks, including water, unless a straw Read More
