SUN JOURNAL • June 6, 2021
Recycling in America is broken. It is, however, not without hope. The Maine Legislature is on its way to passing a first-in-the-nation bill (LD 1541: An Act to Support and Improve Municipal Recycling Programs and Save Taxpayer Money) to finance recycling through an extended producer responsibility system that places financial responsibility on private industry producers rather than cities and municipalities. Maine has an opportunity to become the standard bearer for other states and have a meaningful impact on our national waste crisis. The trouble is, it’s not being done right, and Maine is on the precipice of failing the moment. Funding from extended producer responsibility must be dedicated to improving the recycling system. ~ Geoff Freema, Consumer Brands Association,Arlington, VA