Every day, our team of 16 employees works to keep unwanted electronics out of Maine’s landfills. Our work is important because while electronic waste (computers, televisions, printers, cell phones, etc.) comprises just 2-4% of landfill waste, it accounts for 90% of the harmful chemicals and heavy metals that end up in the ground, the air Read More
electronic waste
Opposition to LD 1208, An Act To Amend the State’s Electronic Waste Recycling Law
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 opposition to LD 1208. We oppose this bill because it 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
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
Maine’s Advanced Recycling Programs Succeeding
Keeping Mercury and Other Toxics Out of Environment NRCM news release Today, DEP officials presented a report to the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee showing that Maine’s five advanced recycling “product stewardship” laws are a huge success and have prevented more than 45 million pounds of electronic waste and hundred of pounds of toxic Read More
How Corporate America Might Just Save Recycling
Amy Westervelt Forbes Earlier in the week, this blog looked at some of the ways in which the U.S. recycling system has become dysfunctional. Today, we look at what might happen if recycling started to really work in this country, and turn to a potential solution–one that is being promoted by some of the very Read More
Big News from the Big Apple: E-waste Lawsuit Withdrawn
Good news for extended producer responsibility (EPR) in the United States! (i.e., manufacturer responsibility for end-of-life collection and recycling of unwanted consumer products). Yesterday, a large consortium of electronics companies formally withdrew their lawsuit challenging New York City’s EPR e-waste recycling law (which I testified in support of in 2006). While a recently passed New Read More
Maine’s Electronic Waste Recycling Law Huge Success
Collects 8 Million Pounds of Waste, Saves Mainers $3 Million, Keeps 1 Million Pounds of Lead from Environment Today, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) released a report detailing the accomplishments of Maine’s two-year-old, first-in-the-nation electronic waste recycling program that requires manufacturers to establish and pay for collection and recycling centers. “By any measure, Read More
Support of LD 1717, An Act to Promote Recycling of Cellular Telephones
by Matt Prindiville, NRCM Toxics Policy Advocate Good morning Senator Martin, Representative Koffman and members of the Committee on Natural Resources. My name is Matt Prindiville. I am the Toxics Policy Advocate for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM strongly supports LD 1717 and encourages the Committee to vote “Ought to Pass.” We Read More
