There’s a hidden climate villain in Maine that you might not know about, and it’s where about 75% of our total waste goes. According to the U.S. EPA, landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States.[1] Pound for pound, methane has about 30 times more atmospheric heat-trapping capability than carbon Read More
Recycling and Product Stewardship
Four Ways to Improve Our Worsening Waste and Recycling Crisis
Even eternally optimistic people struggle to remain positive sometimes. I know because I am one of them. And as someone who has thought about recycling and waste policy daily for the past decade, my positivity has never had a greater test than in 2020. Most people understand that reducing waste and recycling is an environmentally Read More
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
In Support of LD 1977, “An Act To Ensure a Consumer’s Right To Repair Certain Electronic Products”
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/ I’m testifying in support of LD 1977. NRCM strongly believes that promoting the reuse and repair of electronics Read More
Thousands of Mainers Want Recycling Reform for Maine
Ten towns representing almost 95,000 Mainers have already adopted the Recycling Reform Municipal Resolution. An additional 1,500 Mainers have signed NRCM’s petition. Recycling Reform will secure the future of Maine’s recycling programs. Recycling Reform for Maine is a type of law that is used all over the world to better manage recyclables. With the recent global shake-up in recycling markets, Maine’s 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
Testimony in Support of LD 1649, An Act To Implement DEP Recommendations Regarding the State’s Product Stewardship Framework Laws
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Lakeman and I am the Sustainable Maine Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I appreciate this opportunity to speak in favor of LD 1649. NRCM was a strong supporter of Maine’s Read More
