Sep 25, 2024

The Truth About Bottle Bills: Separating Facts From Myths 

Bottle bills place a small deposit on beverage containers. Consumers get that deposit back when they return the empty containers. Bottle bills tackle litter and improve recycling. Despite these benefits, the waste and beverage industries argue these programs are outdated or unnecessary. But here’s the truth: bottle bills work. Let’s dispel some myths.

Alaina Pinto, influencer, at a bottle return program facility. She empties a bag of drink containers – cans and bottles – into a sorting machine. This machine processes and counts the number of containers covered by the bottle bill system. Upon tallying containers, the consumer will get their initial deposit back.
Jul 18, 2024

Beach Cleanups: Why Do They Matter and How to Make Yours Count 

New Englanders love a perfect beach day. But the trash that lines our coast from Connecticut to Maine is less than perfect. By pitching in to do a beach cleanup, beach lovers can make a significant difference in preserving our region’s natural beauty. Check out these tips to keep your favorite beach crystal clean.

Photo of beachfront and ocean with litter and other ocean trash. Photo taken prior to a beach cleanup.
Jun 25, 2024

3 Reasons New Hampshire Needs a Bottle Bill  

Thanks to bottle bills, many New England states have increased recycling rates and now rank among the top states in the country. New Hampshire still lacks a bottle bill. Learn why that matters.

Photo of an empty plastic bottle being tossed into a plastic bag. The image is taken from inside the plastic bag, and one can see the outline of a hand tossing the bottle. Behind, a bright sunset shines through the litter.
Apr 11, 2024

How to Plan a Community Cleanup to Make It Count

Organizing a trash cleanup will only make a tiny dent in all the plastic we toss, but it’s still a great opportunity to care for the environment, get some steps in, and connect with friends and neighbors. They also highlight the detrimental effects that plastic has on our planet! Here’s a guide to plan yours.

Sunny beach day. A person wearing white gloves picks up empty plastic bottles from the sand and puts them inside a black plastic bag as part of a community cleanup. Cleanups like this help document the impact of plastic litter on our environment.
Apr 10, 2024

Maine Legislature Passes Bill to Address Community Concerns in Dangerous Landfill Expansion 

“We can’t let polluters trample on the public’s right to oppose projects that put their health and environment at risk,” said CLF attorney Nora Bosworth. “This law ensures communities get a chance to make their voices heard and places critical safeguards around Casella’s dangerous plans to expand this landfill. Preventing these forever chemicals from continuing to poison the Penobscot River means protecting a water source sacred to the culture and livelihood of the Penobscot Nation.” 

Maine Statehouse.
Mar 06, 2024

Maine Legislature Passes Food Scrap Ban 

“Methane pollution is over 80 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide in driving the climate crisis,” said Nora Bosworth, Zero Waste attorney at CLF. “The main culprit of this pollution is decomposing food scraps in landfills, and this bill offers a logical solution to this problem. It’s time for Maine to catch up with the rest of New England and embrace a better solution for our food waste.”

pile of food waste