By Kathryn King, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Nobody likes to talk about our trash, whether at the municipal or state level. Let’s face it: Trash isn’t what most people would consider dinner table conversation. But maybe it should be, because organic waste, including food scraps, makes up a huge portion of Read More
materials management
Will a Ban on Food in Landfills Finally Spur Maine to Boost Recycling?
by Christopher Burns, BDN staff Bangor Daily News news story Maine needs to decide what it’s going to do about the food in its waste stream. Food and other organics comprise 43 percent of Maine’s residential waste, more than paper, plastic, glass and metal. Yet, only about 5 percent of organics are composted, leaving much Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 1578, “An Act to Update Maine’s Solid Waste Management Laws”
Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, 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. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in support of LD 1578—but I do have some concerns and suggested amendments Read More
Why Fiberight Would Take Maine in Wrong Direction on Waste
By Sarah Lakeman, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed As we head into 2016, many Mainers are talking about trash. State lawmakers are discussing a bill to move Maine closer to our goal of recycling 50 percent of our solid waste. Communities are exploring ways to recover food waste, increase composting and reduce Read More
Two Companies are Headed for a Showdown Over Your Trash
By Matthew Stone, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story There’s a competition going on for your trash. Some 187 Maine towns and cities will have to decide this year where they’ll send their municipal solid waste starting in 2018. One facility wants it so it can stay in business. Another wants it so it Read More
How We Can Divert Food from Landfills to Cupboards, Food Banks
By Christopher Burns, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Nothing takes up more space in landfills than food. This isn’t just table scraps and coffee grounds. It’s also whole fruits and vegetables and even canned food, not all of which is unfit to eat. Americans sent a staggering 35 million tons of food to Read More
