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
waste
What You Can Do about the Unfolding Recycling Crisis
It’s been more than a year since China announced that they will no longer buy the world’s contaminated recyclables, and we are feeling the effects here in Maine. Unless the baled recycled materials (stuff we put in our household recycling bins, among other sources of recyclables) meet a very strict, almost perfect, quality standard—only 0.05% Read More
Companies Turning Attention to Problem of Plastic Waste
Evian, L’Oréal, Mars, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Walmart and others commit to using only reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025. by Danica Kirka, Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story LONDON — Once a month, accountant Michael Byrne pulls on his rubber boots and makes his way to a spot on the banks of the River Read More
Steamrolling Forward: Multiple Maine Towns Take Steps to Reduce Plastic Pollution
You may not have noticed amid all the hubbub around national issues and politics, but some other pretty important votes took place in Maine on, or near, this past Election Day. Multiple towns took important steps to help create more sustainable communities through the elimination or reduction of plastic pollution. And that is good news! Read More
Gathering Leftover Crops to Feed Poor, Known as Gleaning, is Catching On
It would be great if more gardeners and volunteers joined in to deliver surplus produce to our neighbors. by Laura McCandlish, of Brunswick who formerly wrote “The Farm-to-Table Family” column for the Maine Sunday Telegram’s Source section Portland Press Herald op-ed As I ripped out spent Sun Gold vines and planted garlic at my Tom Settlemire Read More
Maine Food Insider: Garbage Goes Green
by Maureen Milliken Mainebiz news story The eco-focus that’s helped spur the local food movement is also galvanizing the other end of the food chain: food waste disposal. Two municipal pilot programs this year are being watched to see if Maine residents will commit to regular composting. But those who handle the waste say they Read More
Maine at the Cutting Edge of Compost Technology
By Abigail Curtis, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what happens to waste once it’s been thrown out or flushed away. But Mark King and the other members of the Maine Compost Team are not like most people. King, an environmental specialist with the Read More
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 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
