Transparency is the enemy of the plastic packaging industry. In the 1980s, Big Oil (aka the plastics industry) began to purposefully lie about the recyclability of plastic so they could keep making and selling more plastic, and it worked. Plastic production has exponentially increased, and recycling rates for plastic have never exceeded the single digits. Read More
plastic pollution
Modernizing Maine’s Bottle Bill
Step into your local redemption center and what you will see is the heart and soul of Maine’s most effective recycling and litter prevention program. At Patman’s Redemption Center in Windham, hardworking employees are in a constant state of motion, hand-sorting thousands and thousands of bottles and cans brought in by a seemingly endless flow Read More
LD 1645, An Act To Reduce Plastic Packaging Waste
Testimony Neither for Nor Against LD 1645, An Act To Reduce Plastic Packaging Waste Sarah Nichols, Sustainable Maine Director Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, 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 Read More
LD 1418, An Act Concerning Single-use Disposable Water Bottles and Water Refill Stations
Testimony in Support of LD 1418, An Act Concerning Single-use Disposable Water Bottles and Water Refill Stations Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, 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 am here Read More
LD 1431, An Act Requiring the PUC to Adopt Rules Promoting Renewable Energy
Testimony in Support of LD 1431, An Act Requiring the Public Utilities Commission to Adopt Rules Promoting Renewable Energy Senator Lawrence, Representative Zeigler, members of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, my name is Jack Shapiro, and I am the Climate and Clean Energy Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM has Read More
LD 957, An Act Requiring Water Bottle Filling Stations in New and Renovated Public Schools
Testimony in Support of LD 957, An Act Requiring Water Bottle Filling Stations in New and Renovated Public Schools Senator Rafferty, Representative Brennan, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, my name is Vanessa Berry. I am the Sustainable Maine Outreach Coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I Read More
Opposition to LD 425 and LD 572 to Repeal Maine’s Single-use Plastic Bag Ban and Fees
Testimony in Opposition of LD 425 and LD 572, Legislation to Repeal Maine’s Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags and the Fee on Other Bags Offered at Retail Stores Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, 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 Read More
Opposition to LD 399 and LD 437 Related to Waste-to-energy Renewable Energy Credits
Testimony in Opposition to LD 399, An Act to Amend the Portfolio Requirements for Class II Resources; and LD 437, An Act to Eliminate the Repeal Provision on Waste-to-energy Renewable Energy Credits Senator Lawrence, Representative Zeigler, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology, my name is Sarah Nichols, and I Read More
News & Noteworthy — December 2022
Read highlights from December 2022 news stories and opinion pieces related to Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife, in this News & Noteworthy from the Natural Resources Council of Maine. December 29, 2022 It’s a holiday week so there are fewer news stories to share this week compared to a usual week, but here are Read More
