A bipartisan bill to modernize Maine’s popular beverage container redemption program was passed unanimously by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee yesterday. The vote came on the same day the Bottle Bill celebrated its 45th anniversary as the state’s most effective litter prevention and recycling program. “Maine’s Bottle Bill is a big part of our Read More
recycling
Redemption Centers are the Beating Heart of Maine’s Bottle Bill
Step into your local redemption center and what you will see is the beating heart of Maine’s most effective recycling and litter prevention program. At Patman’s Redemption Center in Windham, hard-working employees are in a constant state of motion — hand sorting thousands and thousands of bottles and cans being brought in by a seemingly Read More
LD 1909, Modernize Maine’s Beverage Container Redemption Law
Testimony in Support of LD 1909, An Act to Modernize Maine’s Beverage Container Redemption Law, and and In Opposition to LD 1910, An Act to Amend the Returnable Beverage Container Program 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 Read More
LD 1660 An Act To Provide that Advanced Recycling Facilities are Subject to Solid Waste Regulation and That Advanced Recycling Does Not Constitute Recycling
Testimony in Support of LD 1660, An Act To Provide that Advanced Recycling Facilities are Subject to Solid Waste Regulation and that Advanced Recycling Does Not Constitute Recycling 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 Read More
LD 1431, An Act Requiring the PUC to Adopt Rules Promoting Renewable Energy
Testimony in Support of LD 1431, An Act Requiring the Public Utilities Commission to Adopt Rules Promoting Renewable Energy Senator Lawrence, Representative Zeigler, members of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, my name is Jack Shapiro, and I am the Climate and Clean Energy Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM has Read More
LD 1171, Raise Funding to Support Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, and Composting
Testimony Neither for Nor Against LD 1171, An Act to Raise Funding to Support Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling and Composting in Maine 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 Read More
News & Noteworthy — January – March 2023
Each month, we highlight news stories and opinion pieces related to Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife. We update News & Noteworthy with the latest news related to the nature of Maine, including the work of staff at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. March 2023 We told you some months ago about a proposal Read More
LD 846, An Act to Require Direct Wine Shippers to Comply with Maine Beverage Law
Testimony in Support of LD 846, An Act to Require Direct Wine Shippers to Comply with Maine Beverage Law Senator Hickman, Representative Supica, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs, my name is Sarah Nichols, and I am the Sustainable Maine Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I appreciate Read More
March 22, 2023: Zoom in — Modernizing Maine’s Bottle Bill
Maine’s Bottle Bill is our most successful recycling and litter prevention program. Unfortunately, the local redemption centers that are key to its success are struggling due to inflation and labor shortages. NRCM is encouraging lawmakers to pass two bills that will help redemption centers stay in business and ensure that Mainers have places to redeem Read More
