Selectmen to hold July 27 public hearing on proposed ordinance Seacoast Online news story YORK, Maine — To help raise awareness of the negative impact plastic bags have on the environment, Bring York Own Bag York held a T-shirt bag making party Wednesday. Using new or old T-shirts, individuals created sturdy, easy to make and 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.
Protecting Waterways Both Moral Imperative and Good Business
The health of our environment, our communities and our families depends on it. By Scott Eldredge and John Bochert Portland Press Herald op-ed YORK — Our family-owned, local hardware stores have garnered some headlines recently – not for what we put on sale, but for what we don’t. We joined the community of Ogunquit in Read More
South Portland Councilors Favor Ban on Pesticide Use
With no formal ordinance proposed, Protect South Portland is campaigning for more organic approaches. By Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — The City Council showed strong support Monday night for a new community campaign to ban the use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers in the city. Protect South Read More
Midcoast Communities Push Back against Plastic Bag Use
A petition effort is underway in Brunswick and Topsham to impose a 5-cent tax on all carryout plastic bags issued by businesses. By Chris Chase, Coastal Journal Portland Press Herald news story BRUNSWICK — Bring Your Own Bag, a citizens’ group, is preparing petitions to impose a 5-cent tax on every plastic bag issued to customers Read More
Bill Would Eliminate Deposit Fee on Larger Bottles
WGME-TV news story AUGUSTA (WGME)—A bill in Augusta would eliminate bottle deposit fees on any bottle larger than 32 ounces, which includes 2-liter soda bottles and large wine bottles. Those against the change say it would seriously hurt the redemption center business in Maine and lead to more littering. “This would be a windfall for Read More
Maine Needs Recycling Boost, But Not at Bottle Bill’s Expense
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial If reality reflected state law, Mainers today would recycle and compost at least half their solid waste. They would have reached that threshold in 2009. Instead, Maine’s recycling rate has remained stubbornly close to 40 percent for years, with no sustained progress to speak of. The Read More
Complaints Few as Portland Adapts to Plastic Bag Fee
Some store owners are surprised by how many shoppers remember to bring their reusable bags. By Randy Billings and Beth Quimby, Staff Writers Portland Press Herald news story Store owners are required by a city ordinance, enacted by the City Council last June, to post a sign informing customers about the fee and itemize the Read More
Plastic Bag Fees, Styrofoam Ban Take Effect Wednesday
Ordinances aimed at reducing litter WMTW-TV news story PORTLAND, Maine —A new five-cent fee for plastic shopping bags and a ban on polystyrene food containers goes into effect Wednesday in Portland. While consumers may be aware of the five-cent charge that they will have to pay for plastic grocery bags, it is not the only Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 947, An Act to Fund State Efforts to Reduce the Landfilling of Solid Waste
Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Lakeman and I am the Sustainable Maine Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in support of LD 947. This Committee has an important and challenging task Read More
