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
sustainability
Port to Power Up Solar Charging Station
By Duke Harrington, Staff Writer Mainely Media news story KENNEBUNKPORT — Selectmen in Kennebunkport have committed themselves to conservation efforts, agreeing to give $4,500 to help install a solar-powered charging station for electric cars. The Clipper Creek Level II EV unit will be placed at the Village Fire Station on Brown Street, where it will Read More
How Maine Towns are Trying to Throw Away Less and Save More
By Christopher Burns, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Maine residents and businesses produced 2.5 million tons of waste in 2013, working out to 2.8 pounds of garbage per person each day. While that’s less garbage per person than the national average (4.4 pounds), getting rid of all that waste is expensive. It’s consistently Read More
Group Holds Bag Making Party to Promote Plastic Bag Ban
Selectmen to hold July 27 public hearing on proposed ordinance Seacoast Online news story YORK, Maine — To help raise awareness of the negative impact plastic bags have on the environment, Bring York Own Bag York held a T-shirt bag making party Wednesday. Using new or old T-shirts, individuals created sturdy, easy to make and Read More
Welcome to NRCM’s Spotlight on Sustainability in Maine
Sustainability is a goal. It’s a quality that we humans need to uphold in order make sure that future humans (and animals, of course) have what they need to live healthy lives after we’re gone. Think of the survival basics like clean water to drink, clean air to breath, resources to make food, clothing, and Read More
Midcoast Communities Push Back against Plastic Bag Use
A petition effort is underway in Brunswick and Topsham to impose a 5-cent tax on all carryout plastic bags issued by businesses. By Chris Chase, Coastal Journal Portland Press Herald news story BRUNSWICK — Bring Your Own Bag, a citizens’ group, is preparing petitions to impose a 5-cent tax on every plastic bag issued to customers Read More
Bill Would Eliminate Deposit Fee on Larger Bottles
WGME-TV news story AUGUSTA (WGME)—A bill in Augusta would eliminate bottle deposit fees on any bottle larger than 32 ounces, which includes 2-liter soda bottles and large wine bottles. Those against the change say it would seriously hurt the redemption center business in Maine and lead to more littering. “This would be a windfall for Read More
Maine Needs Recycling Boost, But Not at Bottle Bill’s Expense
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial If reality reflected state law, Mainers today would recycle and compost at least half their solid waste. They would have reached that threshold in 2009. Instead, Maine’s recycling rate has remained stubbornly close to 40 percent for years, with no sustained progress to speak of. The 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
