On April 30, 2019, Maine became the first state in the nation to ban disposable foam food containers under a bill signed into law by Governor Janet Mills. The law prohibits restaurants, caterers, coffee shops, and grocery stores from using Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam containers. One of the top 10 contributors to litter, polystyrene is both a concern for the environment and Read More
plastic pollution
Support of LD 1532, An Act To Eliminate Single-use Plastic Carry-out Bags
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 to you in strong support of LD 1532. NRCM has worked alongside Read More
Conservationists, Grocers, and Retailers Join Forces to Support a Statewide Ban on Single-use Plastic Bags
Proposed bill receives legislative hearing Wednesday, April 24 News release by the Natural Resources Council of Maine, Retail Association of Maine, and the Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association April 23, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – A bill that would address the growing plastic pollution problem by banning the use of single-use plastic shopping bags statewide Read More
My Maine This Week: Straws by Brian Skillings
Happy Earth Day! This week we are sharing some photos taken by NRCM activist Brian Skillings of Windham, Maine. Brian posted these photos on social media and shared them with us after he spent Sunday, April 14 helping NRCM and Green With Envy Salons staff clean up around Back Cove Trail in Portland. Brian writes, Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 1431, Resolve, To Support Municipal Recycling Programs
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 support of LD 1431, which may be the most important and Read More
Reducing Waste One Cup (of Coffee) at a Time
On April 2, 2019, Tandem Coffee Roasters launched an ambitious initiative to drastically reduce waste at both of their locations in Portland. The company has lowered all drink prices by 25 cents and started charging customers 25 cents if they need a single-use cup for their drink order. The main intention is to get people Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 544, An Act To Create Extended Producer Responsibility for Post-consumer Waste Generated from the Use of Tobacco Products
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 to you in support of LD 544, which is part of a Read More
Support of LD 937, An Act Regarding the Sale and Abandonment or Release of Balloons
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 to you in support of LD 937, which is one of several Read More
Iconic Red’s Eats: “Red is Our Favorite Color, but We Love Going Green!”
I have been an animal- and nature-lover since I was a little girl. It comes as no surprise to those who know me to know how important the issue of protecting nature is to me. Living and working in beautiful, coastal Maine is a gift…one we all must not take for granted. Our restaurant is Read More
