Maine DEP delays enforcement of bag bans December 28, 2020 on News
AUGUSTA A statewide ban on single-use plastic carry-out bags had been scheduled to go into effect Jan. 15, 2021, and the polystyrene foam disposable food service container ban had been scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, 202; however, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is delaying its enforcement of the laws that ban the use of these products until July 1, 2021.
The department is taking this approach in response to several practical and logistical effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that has disrupted traditional food marketing and packaging supplies. Demand for groceries, curbside pickup and takeout food has increased, while the demand for paper bags and thicker reusable plastic bags has also increased, resulting in substantially less supply of both 4 mil reusable plastic bags and paper bags – the substitutes allowed for single-use plastic carry-out bags under the bag law. Additionall
Impacted homeowners are being advised to use bottled water. Author: Vivien Leigh (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 4:07 PM MST December 4, 2020 Updated: 4:21 PM MST December 4, 2020
FAIRFIELD, Maine More than a dozen homeowners in the town of Fairfield are being advised to use bottled water after their well water was found to be tainted with high levels of forever chemicals.
Investigators from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have tested nearly 40 residential wells and water supplies near the Toxier Dairy Farm.
So far, 18 wells have levels of PFAS chemicals that exceed the EPA s safe limit.
State environmental officials have expanded their testing of water supplies after the discovery of high levels of industrial chemicals known as PFAS at the Tozier Dairy Farm.
Former Bath councilor turns trash into treasure during pandemic
“When I’m sewing or creating something, it feels good knowing what I’m diverting it away from the landfill,” said Mari Eosco.
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Former Bath City Council Chair Mari Eosco started making whatever she could out of what would otherwise be trash during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has made many tote bags out of old pet food bags.
Photo courtesy of Mari Eosco
BATH When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Maine in March, former Bath City Council Chair Mari Eosco adopted the adage “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” She began making whatever she could out of what would otherwise end up in the city’s landfill.
Maine delays plastic bag ban for months due to pandemic
December 23, 2020 GMT
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine is delaying by several months a statewide ban on single-use plastic carry-out bags that was scheduled to take effect in January by several months.
The ban was slated to take effect on Jan. 15. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection said it’s delaying enforcement of the laws that ban the bags until July 1, 2021.
The department said in a statement that it’s taking the delayed approach “in response to several practical and logistical effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.” The pandemic has increased demand for curbside pickup of groceries and takeout food, the department said.
Environmental Group Pushes Back On Delay Of Plastic Bag, Styrofoam Container Ban
Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection says it won’t enforce a statewide ban on single-use, plastic carry-out bags and polystyrene foam takeout containers until July of next year and that’s drawing some fire from environmentalists.
The bans were supposed to start in January, but the DEP says the pandemic has boosted demand for single-use bags and Styrofoam boxes, and supply-chain problems are making it harder to find alternatives.
Brian Beneski, who supervises recycling programs for DEP, says compliance concerns have been been raised by supermarkets, restaurants, retailers and more.