These are challenging times and it’s important to celebrate when we can, even if we cannot do so in person. For example, April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. That’s something to celebrate, for sure! The Natural Resources Council of Maine had been in the process of creating events with our members and Read More
recycling
In Support of LD 2104, An Act to Support and Increase the Recycling of Packaging
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, 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 (NRCM). I appreciate this opportunity to speak in strong support of LD 2104. I have provided a folder attached to Read More
Bill Would Help Save Maine’s Struggling Recycling Programs
NRCM news release Augusta, ME (February 25, 2020) – A bill being heard by lawmakers on Wednesday will help save taxpayers money and improve Maine’s struggling recycling programs by asking large corporations to share in responsibility for managing the flood of wasteful packaging entering the state. LD 2104 would apply a proven solution called Extended Read More
In Support of LD 1933, An Act To Promote Bulk Retail Purchasing
Senator Herbig, Representative Daughtry, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business, my name is Sarah Nichols and I am the Sustainable Maine Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I’m testifying in support of LD 1933. NRCM has been a leading advocate of policies that support Read More
Maine Environment Fall 2019 Newsletter
Maine Environment Fall 2019: What’s Inside! In this issue of Maine Environment, we feature an important story by NRCM Sustainable Maine Director Sarah Nichols about the fundamental problems Maine is facing in regard to recycling materials, and how we can fix it through an extended producer responsibility for packaging policy reform. Sarah talks about a new Read More
News & Noteworthy — October – December 2019
December 2019 Maine Public has a great look at the news that Hydro-Quebec has launched a PAC to spend big in support of its money-making CMP corridor project. Though CMP and HQ aim to spend huge sums to try and convince Mainers their destructive project is a good thing, they can’t erase the fact that Read More
Fixing Fundamental Problems with Recycling
Recycling is one of the key ways we can keep materials out of landfills and conserve our natural resources. For decades, Maine people have developed a strong recycling ethic because they want to do the right thing. However, many are losing access to recycling programs due to changes in the recycled commodities markets. This is Read More
Jobs for Maine’s Graduates Share Recycling Success
As the year comes to a close and we wrap up months of hard work, we are proud to say that our project was certainly a success! At the beginning of the year, we began this recycling program to benefit both our school and our environmental, but the project also taught us about how important Read More
A Fresh Perspective on Recycling Responsibility
Municipalities and taxpayers in the United States have been footing the bill for recycling programs for too long. It is a funding model that is rooted in a time when our wastes were much simpler. The problem today is that our waste stream is more complex than it has ever been. It is filled with Read More