by Tom Bell, Portland Press Herald Writer Portland Press Herald news story A new law goes into effect today that makes Maine the first state in nation to require manufacturers to pick up the cost of recycling old TVs and computer monitors. Environmentalists say the law will encourage manufacturers to design products that are less 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’s First-In-the-Nation Law Requiring Manufacturers to Pay to Recycle Electronic Waste Goes Into Effect
AUGUSTA, MAINE – Today Maine launched the first manufacturer-funded program in the nation designed to capture hazardous electronic waste for safe disposal and recycling. Under the law enacted in 2004, beginning January 18, municipalities will send waste computer and television monitors to consolidation centers that are fully-funded by manufacturers. The manufacturers also pay to safely Read More
Mercury Thermostat Sales Ban Started on January 1st
But 5,600 Pounds of Mercury Still on Walls of Maine Homes, Businesses News release Today, the Natural Resources Council of Maine hosted a news conference at the Maine Hardware Store in Portland to inform Maine people about the new mercury thermostat sales ban that went into effect January 1, 2006, and to highlight the need Read More
16,896 Mercury-laden Car Switches Collected Under Maine’s Landmark Program!
NRCM news release At the urging of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, in 2002 Maine lawmakers passed a first-in-the-nation law to require carmakers to pay to collect harmful mercury switches from junked cars before scrapping them. Maine’s car mercury switch law was challenged in court by the carmakers, but the law prevailed. In December Read More
Peter Brann and Ben Lund Receive 2004 Environmental Award
The Natural Resources Council of Maine recognizes with deep appreciation their efforts to defend Maine’s environment in the courts. Peter Brann and Ben Lund, partners in the Lewiston-based law firm of Brann & Isaacson, have brought their considerable professional skills, tenacity, and love of Maine to a necessary part of the advocacy process—using the courts Read More
Legislature Establishes Recycling for Old Computers and TVs
News release Augusta – The Maine State Legislature has enacted legislation to create a system for the collection and recycling of obsolete computers and televisions containing toxic materials. By final votes of 82-60 in the House and 34-1 in the Senate, the bill has been sent to the Governor for his signature. This bill was Read More
Governor Signs Bills to Protect Health, Reduce Pollution from Mercury in Products and Fillings and from Lead in Computers and TVs
by the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine Today, in celebration of Environmental Health Day in the Hall of Flags at the State Capitol, Governor John Baldacci signed three bills to protect public health and the environment from mercury and lead pollution. The Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, a coalition of eight Read More
Legislature Adopts “Electronic-Waste” Bill
Bans Disposal of Computer and Television Monitors and Calls for Agency to Plan for Statewide Collection of Hazardous Electronics NRCM news release Augusta, Maine – The Legislature has adopted a bill that bans landfilling and incineration of computer and television monitors effective January 1, 2006 and sets in motion a process to provide for collection Read More
