What is America’s largest export, most prodigious product, and greatest legacy — the biggest thing we make? Our trash. NRCM welcomed author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edward Humes to discuss his book, Garbology. After sharing more about America’s “dirty love affair with trash,” Humes also shared stories of hope: families, companies, and whole communities who Read More
trash
As Demand for Recycled Material Shrinks, Consumers Can Take Action
Steps include reducing waste, learning what is accepted locally and redeeming beverage containers. by Sarah Lakeman, Special to the Press Herald Portland Press Herald op-ed AUGUSTA — Global recycling markets are changing, and cities and towns across Maine are responding – some by abandoning their recycling programs. This is a big wake-up call that will Read More
July 14, 2018: “Bag It” Movie Screening, Bethel
Have you ever thought about how much plastic our society consumes? Plastic bags, straws, food wrappers, cups, utensils, and other “disposable” single-use plastics made from oil are filling our landfills and polluting our oceans. How can we all take steps in our own lives to reduce our plastic consumption? This epidemic is the focus of Read More
Landfilling Tons of Municipal Waste is an Environmental Tragedy
By Harry Sanborn, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Tens of thousands of tons of municipal solid waste from all over eastern Maine are now heading directly to landfills. This is a monumental tragedy for Maine’s environment, and it is sad that state officials charged with protecting Maine’s environment seem to be looking Read More
April 22, 2018: Community Trash Clean-up, Waterville
Waterville Community Trash Cleanup Sunday, April 22 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Castonguay Square outside City Hall NRCM Outreach Coordinator Todd Martin and others led a a community trash cleanup event in Waterville on Earth Day. Trash bags and gloves were provided for free to volunteers. We were proud to work with the Kennebec Messalonskee Read More
April 3, 2018: “Smog of the Sea” Film Screening, Belfast
The Smog of the Sea chronicles a one-week journey through the remote waters of the Sargasso Sea. Marine scientist Marcus Eriksen invited onboard an unusual crew to help him study the sea: renowned surfers Keith & Dan Malloy, musician Jack Johnson, spearfisher woman Kimi Werner, and bodysurfer Mark Cunningham become citizen scientists on a mission Read More
Cat Litter Quandary
As an environmentalist, I am constantly questioning the environmental impact of my everyday actions. Sometimes this leads to change, and sometimes it leads to more questions. My most recent dilemma was how to reduce the amount of trash I create. I used to track my trash generation when a Pay As You Throw (PAYT) policy Read More
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 Read More
King Middle School Students Create and Lead Community Clean-up!
More than 30 people from the King Middle School community and beyond came together to fight marine debris at East End Beach in Portland. Together, we picked up nearly 8,000 pieces of litter, most of it in one afternoon on June 4. The project was all a part of a challenge we participated in sponsored Read More
