The City of Portland is developing a well-deserved reputation as one of the most sustainable cities in the nation. This reputation hasn’t happened overnight, or without the help of many of the citizens, businesses, and progressive thinkers in and around Maine’s largest city. A few months ago, the Natural Resources Council of Maine released an Read More
sustainability
South Portland Considers Zoning Changes to Promote, Regulate Solar Arrays
If the City Council approves the amendments, the city will become a model for other Maine communities and join a growing number of U.S. cities that have taken similar steps. By Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — City planning officials have proposed sweeping zoning changes that would both promote Read More
Next Generation Takes Action to Help Ban Single-use Foam Containers in Brunswick
Last year as a junior in high school I took an environmental science course where I was asked to assess an environmental issue of importance to my town. I chose to look at plastics bags and the impact a five-cent fee would have on the residents and businesses in Brunswick. As part of my research Read More
Thirty Acre Farm; Farming and Fermenting to Make Maine More Sustainable
Jane and Simon Frost know full well how valuable old time traditions can be in our new, fast paced world. In addition to owning and operating Thirty Acre Farm in Whitefield, the Frosts are helping to preserve (excuse the pun) the ancient tradition of fermenting food for preservation and health. Fermentation is an amazing, and Read More
Teaching the Next Generation the Value of Composting and Reducing Waste
When I first started teaching at South Portland High School in 2000, one of the teachers was unable to incorporate the school’s fledgling recycling program into her classroom and asked if I wanted to take up the task. I was immediately interested because I had worked to implement recycling programs when I attended Stonehill College Read More
Reuse—Recycle— Remember
My dad, Clarence E. Gray, lived in Maine from the time he was a teenager and had to drop out of school and go to work in the Westbrook paper mill to help support his family. Later he was drafted into WWII, and before shipping out, worked in the shipyard in South Portland. He had Read More
Other Pay-As-You-Throw Resources
Payasyouthrow.org: A great national resource on PAYT WasteZero: This company helps towns reduce waste through trash metering and it also manufactures PAYT bags. “Cutting Trash in Half in Maine”: An article on PAYT from The Maine Townsman
Why Support Pay As You Throw
It makes sense. We produce too much trash in Maine. Not only should communities provide a convenient way for people to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost, but they should also create an incentive for people to do so by charging a fee for each bag of household trash. Charging a fee for each bag of Read More
Brunswick Bans Foam Food Packaging Starting Oct. 1
By Walter Wuthmann The Forecaster news story BRUNSWICK — The Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a ban on polystyrene foam packaging, making Brunswick the fourth community in the region to prohibit most food retailers from using the material. The vote reflected a public hearing and process virtually devoid of opposition. “The expression in support Read More
