We always love getting a chance to share good news. Today, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection finalized the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging rule – a huge victory to reduce wasteful packaging from polluting our environment and to save taxpayers money. EPR sets up a straightforward system where the producers of packaging are Read More
Plastic Pollution
NRCM is working hard to bring plastic pollution solutions to Maine. Together, we can reduce Maine’s impact on this catastrophic global problem and provide inspiration for others around the world.
Plastic pollution in Maine is a more devastating problem than you may think. Plastic is present throughout the environment everywhere on earth. Maine is no exception. Plastic is polluting our waterways, coastlines, forests, and open spaces, choking wildlife, and making its way into the food web.
The sources of plastic pollution in Maine are unnervingly diverse, and the flow of plastic into the environment is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, it is increasing. The amount of plastic litter we can see is astounding, but even more worrisome is the staggering amount of plastic pollution we cannot see—so-called microplastic. A growing body of evidence is revealing plastic pollution’s devastating impact on our health and the environment.
Maine Finalizes Nation-Leading EPR for Packaging Program
December 5, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine Board of Environmental Protection today finalized rules for a first-in-the-nation Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging law that will save taxpayers money and improve recycling by holding corporations accountable for the wasteful packaging they produce. “Today’s vote is great news for Maine taxpayers and our environment,” said Read More
Bill to Allow Reusable Containers Approved by Maine Legislature
Update: LD 2091 was signed into law on March 6, 2024 News release When Castine business owner Kate Pilotte wanted to offer her meal kit customers reusable packaging, she was told Maine food regulations would not allow it. Kate then asked her State Senator to file a bill that would amend state law so local Read More
Don’t Believe the Plastic Industry’s False Promises
Transparency is the enemy of the plastic packaging industry. In the 1980s, Big Oil (aka the plastics industry) began to purposefully lie about the recyclability of plastic so they could keep making and selling more plastic, and it worked. Plastic production has exponentially increased, and recycling rates for plastic have never exceeded the single digits. Read More
Behind the Scenes: How Maine Modernized the Bottle Bill
Maine’s most effective recycling and litter reduction program just got a major upgrade! Two new laws passed this year make long awaited upgrades to the Bottle Bill that will help keep local redemption centers and make sure Mainers are able to redeem their bottles and cans well into the future. During the summer of 2022 Read More
LD 1645, An Act To Reduce Plastic Packaging Waste
Testimony Neither for Nor Against LD 1645, An Act To Reduce Plastic Packaging Waste Sarah Nichols, Sustainable Maine Director Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Nichols, and I am the Sustainable Maine Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I Read More
LD 1418, An Act Concerning Single-use Disposable Water Bottles and Water Refill Stations
Testimony in Support of LD 1418, An Act Concerning Single-use Disposable Water Bottles and Water Refill Stations Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Nichols, and I am the Sustainable Maine Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I am here Read More
LD 957, An Act Requiring Water Bottle Filling Stations in New and Renovated Public Schools
Testimony in Support of LD 957, An Act Requiring Water Bottle Filling Stations in New and Renovated Public Schools Senator Rafferty, Representative Brennan, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, my name is Vanessa Berry. I am the Sustainable Maine Outreach Coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I Read More
Opposition to LD 425 and LD 572 to Repeal Maine’s Single-use Plastic Bag Ban and Fees
Testimony in Opposition of LD 425 and LD 572, Legislation to Repeal Maine’s Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags and the Fee on Other Bags Offered at Retail Stores Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Nichols, and I am the Sustainable Maine Director for Read More
