While alliteration in blog titles is great, there is something even better, and that is when we learn about the next generation of Mainers recognizing a major problem in our environment, foam containers, and stepping up to solve it right in their own community. That principal is certainly on display in York where an intrepid… Continue Reading
polystyrene
No Styrofoam
Styrofoam cannot be recycled and is difficult to compress, so it takes up a lot of landfill…
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… Continue Reading
Bath to Present Plastic Bag Ban
by Nathan Strout Times Record news story After months of work, the Bath Solid Waste Advisory Committee is preparing to present an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and polystyrene containers, while also putting fees on paper bags. “The Solid Waste Advisory Committee has been meeting since last January or February, so for several months, examining… Continue Reading
Belfast Becomes Latest City to Ban Plastic Bags, Polystyrene
By Nick McCrea, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story BELFAST, Maine — Paper or canvas? Shoppers in Belfast will need to remember to bring their own bags from home, or get used to paper, because plastic is on the way out. Belfast city councilors approved a citywide ban on single-use plastic shopping bags and… Continue Reading
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… Continue Reading
Next Generation Takes Action to Help Ban Single-use Foam Containers in Brunswick
Last year as a junior in high school I took an environmental science course where I was asked to assess an environmental issue of importance to my town. I chose to look at plastics bags and the impact a five-cent fee would have on the residents and businesses in Brunswick. As part of my research… Continue Reading
Bag Free, Plastic Foam Ban Take Effect Tuesday in South Portland
The City Council approved the ordinances unanimously last September. By Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — Two new ordinances take effect Tuesday, imposing a ban on plastic foam food containers and a 5-cent fee on all single-use paper or plastic shopping bags. The City Council approved the ordinances unanimously… Continue Reading
Why Support a Ban on Disposable Foam Containers?
EPS foam isn’t recyclable in Maine. Currently, expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam containers cannot be recycled here in Maine because it is not economically viable and causes a real problem at recycling facilities. Therefore, all EPS foam used in Maine is either destined to become trash or will persist in our environment indefinitely as litter. There… Continue Reading
