With financial assistance from the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), the Boothbay Region Committee for a Plastic-Free Peninsula (PFP) began our activities in 2019. Our first project aimed to reduce the usage of single-use plastic bags. We decided to focus first on young people and sponsored a table at an annual Earth Day fair Read More
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News & Noteworthy — May 2019
News & Noteworthy May 30, 2019 Here’s your latest round-up of news from the past week. Respecting Maine’s Tribes In one of the most significant steps forward for environmental justice in recent years, Governor Mills filed a bill to protect sustenance fishing rights for Maine’s tribes. The bill is the result of months of negotiations Read More
Maine is First State in the Nation to Ban Foam Food Containers
NRCM news release April 30, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – Maine has become the first state in the nation to ban disposable foam food containers under a bill signed into law today by Governor Janet Mills. The new law seeks to curb harmful foam pollution that threatens health of people, wildlife, and the environment. “Maine has Read More
Bath Council Backs Ban on Plastic Bags, Foam Containers
By Alex Lear Forecaster news story BATH — The City Council on Wednesday granted unanimous first passage to ordinances that would ban the distribution of disposable plastic shopping bags and polystyrene containers. The panel will vote a second and final time Nov. 1. The decision follows two “Bring Your Own Bag” forums hosted last month Read More
Maine House Passes Bill to Discourage Use of Plastic Bags
But critics contend that even the watered-down bill is unnecessary because municipalities can already adopt ordinances regulating plastic bags. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — House lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that aims to decrease the use of disposable plastic bags and foam food containers but that opponents dismissed Read More
Support of LD 103, An Act To Prohibit the Use of Certain Disposable Food Service Containers
Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Ryan Parker and I am the Environmental Policy Outreach Coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in support of LD 103. Thanks to leadership by members of this Committee, Read More
Portland Passes a Bag Free and Styrofoam Ban
WCSH-6 news story PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Portland has become the first community in Maine to impose a surcharge on disposable bags and one of the first in New England to regulate both bags and polystyrene coffee cups and food containers. Beginning in April of 2015, customers at grocery stores, convenience stores, and farmers Read More
Portland Council Adopts Fee for Bags, Bans Foam Containers
The 6-3 votes follow sharply divided testimony between supporters and opponents of the plan. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Portland city councilors voted late Monday night to charge consumers a nickel for every disposable shopping bag they get and to ban foam containers for food and beverages in an effort Read More
Portland City Council OKs Bag Fee, Styrofoam Ban
Measure goes into effect in April 2015 PORTLAND, Maine —The Portland City Council voted 6-3 in favor of a 5-cent fee on disposable shopping bags during their meeting on Monday night. The measure will go into effect in April 2015. The ordinance originally called for a 10 cent fee, but that has been cut in Read More
