Senator Brenner, 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 to you in support of these two proposals (LD 618 and LD 1023) Read More
sustainability
Support of LD 602, An Act to Prevent Pollution from Single-use Plastic Straws, Splash Sticks, and Beverage Lid Plugs
Senator Brenner, 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 express our support for LD 602 as part of Maine’s plastic pollution reduction efforts. Read More
Opposition to LD 39, LD 108, and LD 244, Legislation to Repeal Maine’s Ban on Single-use Plastic Bags
Senator Brenner, 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 to you in strong opposition to LD 39, LD 108, and LD 244. Read More
Support of LD 8, An Act To Support Collection and Proper Disposal of Unwanted Drugs
Senator Brenner, 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 to you in support of LD 8, which would help Mainers dispose of Read More
Top 5 Take-Aways from Maine’s Latest Waste and Recycling Report
The Sustainable Maine team at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) is laser-focused on three bills that will make a huge difference in addressing serious problems and troubling trends with our recycling and landfilling system. Maine people want to do the right thing for the environment, but we need better policies in place if Read More
News & Noteworthy — October – December 2020
Read the latest news stories and opinion pieces related to the environment, including Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife. December 2020 We start with news about the delay in Maine’s statewide plastic bag and foam bans, which have had enforcement delayed amidst the pandemic. NRCM doesn’t feel that that is necessary or a good idea Read More
Delays to Maine’s Plastic Bag and Foam Bans Not Based in Science
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced that it would, for the second time this year, be delaying a new law aimed at reducing plastic pollution by limiting the use of single-use plastic shopping bags. DEP also decided to delay a new law that would have prohibited foam food containers. The Natural Resources Read More
Full Circle School Lunch: From Compost to Farm to Table
The Sebago Elementary School students had a very special Maine harvest lunch. The wonderful kitchen staff prepared roasted root vegetables made from locally sourced beets, carrots, and potatoes. For dessert, apples from Douglas Hill Orchard, owned by the Lucy family, were made into a delicious apple crisp. The most special part of this fantastic meal Read More
5 Reasons Why We’re Not Crazy About Compostable Food Ware
When considering how to reduce plastic pollution, many people find compostable cups, containers, and utensils (“compostables”) to be an appealing option. We understand why: these products often claim to be “earth-friendly,” and ultimately that is what we all deeply desire. Unfortunately, the environmental impact of disposable compostable containers is not as simple and straightforward as Read More
