If the City Council approves the amendments, the city will become a model for other Maine communities and join a growing number of U.S. cities that have taken similar steps. By Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — City planning officials have proposed sweeping zoning changes that would both promote 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.
Activists Pushing for Vote on Banning Plastic Bags in Freeport
A Town Council-supported ballot question, meanwhile, will ask voters to consider a minimal fee on paper and plastic bags. By Peter McGuire, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story FREEPORT — Activists are pushing for a referendum to ban disposable plastic grocery bags in town, arguing that a different ballot question supported by the Town Read More
“Just Eat It”: My Food Waste Story
One anecdote from the movie really hit home for me: Americans waste so much food that it’s as if we leave the store with several bags of groceries, drop one bag in the parking lot, and keep on walking.
Reuse—Recycle— Remember
My dad, Clarence E. Gray, lived in Maine from the time he was a teenager and had to drop out of school and go to work in the Westbrook paper mill to help support his family. Later he was drafted into WWII, and before shipping out, worked in the shipyard in South Portland. He had Read More
Other Pay-As-You-Throw Resources
PowerPoint presentation by the Natural Resources Council of Maine Payasyouthrow.org: A great national resource on PAYT WasteZero: This company helps towns reduce waste through trash metering and it also manufactures PAYT bags. “Cutting Trash in Half in Maine”: An article on PAYT from The Maine Townsman
Why Support Pay As You Throw
It makes sense. We produce too much trash in Maine. Not only should communities provide a convenient way for people to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost, but they should also create an incentive for people to do so by charging a fee for each bag of household trash. Charging a fee for each bag of Read More
Brunswick Bans Foam Food Packaging Starting Oct. 1
By Walter Wuthmann The Forecaster news story BRUNSWICK — The Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a ban on polystyrene foam packaging, making Brunswick the fourth community in the region to prohibit most food retailers from using the material. The vote reflected a public hearing and process virtually devoid of opposition. “The expression in support Read More
Brunswick Joins List of Towns that Ban Styrofoam Packaging
By Beth Brogan, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story BRUNSWICK, Maine — The Brunswick Town Council voted unanimously Monday evening to ban polystyrene foam, or Styrofoam, food containers beginning in October. The vote followed a public hearing before a standing-room-only crowd at which 16 people spoke, all but one in support of the ban, Read More
Portland Committee Supports Restricting Synthetic Pesticides Within City Limits
The proposed ordinance is modeled after a similar measure under consideration in South Portland. By Dennis Hoey, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Two Portland city councilors said Tuesday that they support a proposal that would significantly restrict the use of synthetic pesticides in the city. Portland’s pesticide ordinance, which is being drafted, should Read More
