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
Casco Bay
South Portland Joins Portland in Imposing 5-cent Fee on Plastic Shopping Bags
The City Council also bans the use of polystyrene packaging. By Dennis Hoey, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — The city of South Portland joined Portland on Monday night as the only municipalities in Maine that have adopted ordinances requiring consumers to pay 5 cents for disposable, plastic shopping bags at Read More
Study Calls for National Ban of Microbead Products
Maine lawmakers banned the tiny plastic particles in March. From staff and wire services Portland Press Herald news story A new study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, calls for a total ban of products made with microbeads. Microbeads, which are used to add scrubbing action to products such as toothpaste and face wash, are Read More
South Portland City Council Approves 5-cent Shopping Bag Fee, Ban on Polystyrene Packaging
The new ordinances mirror similar steps approved in Portland in April. By Joe Lawlor, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — The City Council on Wednesday approved a 5-cent charge for disposable shopping bags at retailers and a ban on polystyrene products, mimicking Portland’s ordinances that went into effect in April. Both Read More
South Portland Council: ‘It’s Time’ for Bag Fee, Packaging Ban
By Alex Acquisto The Forecaster news story SOUTH PORTLAND — A single-use bag fee and ban on polystyrene in the city seem increasingly likely after Monday night’s City Council workshop. How similar the ordinance language should be to Portland’s, and whether to go beyond the limits of that ordinance, remains to be decided. The question 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
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
Portland Kicks Off Initiatives to Tackle Waste, Litter, Ocean Pollution
April 15 ends the era of foam packaging and free disposable bags NRCM news release Today, Portland city officials, residents, conservationists, store managers, and sustainability experts gathered at Portland City Hall to bring attention to the City’s two new anti-waste initiatives that begin April 15, 2015: a ban on foam packaging and a 5-cent fee Read More
