The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced that it would, for the second time this year, be delaying a new law aimed at reducing plastic pollution by limiting the use of single-use plastic shopping bags. DEP also decided to delay a new law that would have prohibited foam food containers. The Natural Resources Read More
reusable bags
Adult Ed, Recycling Tours: How to School Yourself in Sustainability
Mainers can take a class in Lewiston about electric cars, check out the ecomaine facility, or get a helping hand from the Natural Resources Council of Maine – just to name a few resources. By Ray Routhier, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Not that long ago, the idea of taking a class to Read More
Why Support a Reusable Bag Ordinance?
Reusable bags make sense. Reusable bags are stronger than disposable ones, break less often, and can help you make fewer trips into the house with your groceries. Most grocery items are already packaged to prevent spills or leaks, but you can launder your reusable bags if needed. There are so many problems with single-use bags, Read More
Freeport Plastic Bag Ban Will Be on June Ballot
L.L. Bean and other non-food retailers would not be affected by the ban. Portland Press Herald news story FREEPORT — A referendum on banning disposable plastic bags in Freeport is headed to the June ballot. Town Clerk Christine Wolfe certified 667 signatures on the petition, more than the amount required to put the issue on Read More
Activists Pushing for Vote on Banning Plastic Bags in Freeport
A Town Council-supported ballot question, meanwhile, will ask voters to consider a minimal fee on paper and plastic bags. By Peter McGuire, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story FREEPORT — Activists are pushing for a referendum to ban disposable plastic grocery bags in town, arguing that a different ballot question supported by the Town Read More
South Portland Joins Portland in Imposing 5-cent Fee on Plastic Shopping Bags
The City Council also bans the use of polystyrene packaging. By Dennis Hoey, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — The city of South Portland joined Portland on Monday night as the only municipalities in Maine that have adopted ordinances requiring consumers to pay 5 cents for disposable, plastic shopping bags at Read More
Earth Day: Be an Earth Angel
Karen Schneider, Special to the Sun Journal Sun Journal news story On April 22, we will commemorate the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement. We call it Earth Day. In 1970, the first Earth Day was brought into being as a way to express the emerging consciousness regarding the Read More
Foam Ban, Bag Fees Going Back to Portland City Council
by David Harry The Forecaster news story PORTLAND — Proposals to ban polystyrene foam containers and cups, and to place a fee on paper and plastic shopping bags, will return to the full City Council for first readings on Monday, June 2. The amendments to Chapter 12 of the city code were last considered in September Read More
Where in the World is Your NRCM Bag?
I am very excited that more and more people are using canvas bags for their groceries, shopping at local stores, and for their travels (canvas bags are great travel totes). I am also excited to see folks posing for photos with their NRCM tote bags. On Earth Day, we launched this new “where in the Read More
