Detractors cite increased costs for individual residents, while proponents note then environmental benefits and municipal savings. By Rachel Ohm, Staff Writer Morning Sentinel news story WATERVILLE — With city officials looking to convert solid waste disposal to a pay-as-you-throw system, residents are divided over the pros and cons of such a scheme. Some say it Read More
recycling
Maine’s Advanced Recycling Programs Succeeding
Keeping Mercury and Other Toxics Out of Environment NRCM news release Today, DEP officials presented a report to the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee showing that Maine’s five advanced recycling “product stewardship” laws are a huge success and have prevented more than 45 million pounds of electronic waste and hundred of pounds of toxic Read More
NRCM Comments in Support of Instituting a Fee on Single-Use Disposable Bags
Comments at Portland City Council meeting My name is Sarah Lakeman, I am the Sustainable Maine Policy Advocate and Outreach Coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am speaking as a Portland resident and on behalf of NRCM’s more than 16,000 members and supporters, of which more than 1,100 are residents of Portland. I Read More
Group Alleges Industry Influenced DEP’s Mercury Recycling Report
By Kevin Miller, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story The Natural Resources Council of Maine is accusing Maine Department of Environmental Protection officials of allowing an industry group to have undue influence on a recent report that calls for a re-evaluation of hazardous waste recycling programs. But a DEP spokeswoman said the department’s doors Read More
NRCM: DEP Submits to ‘Undue Industry Influence’ on Product Stewardship Programs
by Gina Hamilton The New Maine Times news story A new report released Tuesday by the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) calls into question the amount of industry influence over the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in the arena of product stewardship regulations. What is product stewardship? For years, Maine has required that Read More
Sweeping Anti-Environment Agenda Emerges at State House
Record Number of Rollback Bills Proposed to Weaken Environmental Safeguards News release At a State House news conference today, a broad range of people spoke out in strong opposition to dozens of bills introduced by lawmakers that would repeal or weaken laws that protect Maine’s environment and the health of Maine people. Although the governor’s Read More
First-in-the-Nation Product Stewardship Bill Signed Into Law
Bill Evolves from Controversy to “Win-Win” for Business and the Environment Natural Resources Council of Maine * Maine State Chamber of Commerce AUGUSTA – Today, Governor Baldacci signed LD 1631, “An Act to Provide for the Responsible Recycling of Consumer Products,” sponsored by Rep. Melissa Walsh Innes of Yarmouth. The new law, passed with overwhelming Read More
Support of LD 973, An Act to Provide for the Safe Collection and Recycling of Mercury Containing Light Bulbs
by Matt Prindiville, NRCM Toxics Project Director Senator Goodall, Representative Duchesne and members of the Natural Resources Committee. My name is Matt Prindiville, and I’m the Clean Production Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. We strongly support LD 973, and we thank Representative Berry for bringing this bill to the attention of Read More
Support of LD 1032, An Act to Ensure that Maine’s Electronic Waste Collection and Recycling System is Self Funded
by Matt Prindiville, NRCM Toxics Project Director Senator Goodall, Representative Duchesne and members of the Natural Resources Committee. My name is Matt Prindiville, and I’m the Clean Production Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s leading, membership-supported environmental advocacy organization. We represent over 12,000 members and supporters and promote Read More