by Christopher Burns, BDN staff Bangor Daily News news story Maine needs to decide what it’s going to do about the food in its waste stream. Food and other organics comprise 43 percent of Maine’s residential waste, more than paper, plastic, glass and metal. Yet, only about 5 percent of organics are composted, leaving much Read More
Recycling and Product Stewardship
Maine has long championed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) or "product stewardship" laws because they have proven effective at saving taxpayers money, reducing waste, and protecting our environment. Traditional recycling programs are run and funded by municipal governments. EPR programs shift the costs of dealing with difficult and dangerous items to the corporations and manufacturers who make and sell their products in Maine.
Maine Lawmakers Debate Changes to Waste Disposal Laws
By Mal Leary MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – Every day more than 4 pounds of waste is generated by every man, woman and child in Maine. That covers everything from food scraps to batteries and packaging, and a lot more. Maine currently recycles some items, burns some for energy and landfills a lot. The Read More
Maine Lawmakers Hear Mixed Testimony on Composting, Recycling Bill
A committee considers one of the most significant updates of Maine’s solid waste management laws, a plan to divert more waste from landfills into recycling or composting programs. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Cities and towns could have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional fees Read More
Why Fiberight Would Take Maine in Wrong Direction on Waste
By Sarah Lakeman, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed As we head into 2016, many Mainers are talking about trash. State lawmakers are discussing a bill to move Maine closer to our goal of recycling 50 percent of our solid waste. Communities are exploring ways to recover food waste, increase composting and reduce Read More
Report: Portland Becoming Top Tier Sustainable City
Portland becoming lead sustainable city. WCSH-6 news story PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — A report from the Natural Resources Council of Maine released Tuesday recognized the efforts of 50 people and organizations across Portland that promote sustainability. The report highlighted six areas where these efforts are succeeding: local food, waste reduction, eco-friendly transportation, energy saving, Read More
Report: Portland on Track to Becoming ‘Top Tier’ Sustainable City
By Tom Porter MPBN news story PORTLAND, Maine – An environmental advocacy group today released a report that it hopes will gain Portland more national recognition for its work in promoting sustainability. The Natural Resources Council of Maine says Portland is now on track to become a “top tier” sustainable city. The group’s advocacy director, Read More
Portland on Track to Be a “Top Tier” Sustainable City
New Report Profiles the People and Organizations Making It Happen NRCM news release Portland, ME—Portland is making great strides in promoting local foods, minimizing waste, using clean energy efficiently, connecting people with nature, and incorporating environmental sustainability into daily life. According to a new report released today by the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), Read More
Paint Recycling More Convenient Under New Program
By Ed Morin MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A new program is underway that aims to make paint recycling in Maine more convenient. Under legislation passed in 2013, a program is in place that allows Mainers to drop off unwanted paint at a number of retail paint businesses in the state for recycling at Read More
New Program Will Let Maine Residents Drop Off Unused Paint at Many Retailers for Free
Retail prices for paint will increase slightly to pay for the Maine Paint Stewardship Program. By Dennis Hoey, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Maine has joined seven other states and the District of Columbia in a national effort that will allow people to dispose of their unused paint at retail locations around the Read More