This week on Under the Radar:
America has a recycling problem. Ever since China banned the United States' recyclables back in 2018, recycling centers in American towns and cities have struggled to manage the massive amount of waste. Not to mention paying for the infrastructure and processing costs of recycling.
But a new law in Maine relieves municipalities’ financial burden by shifting the responsibility for the recycling costs. The law requires that producers of packaging waste, like Amazon and Maine businesses, pick up the tab for recycling costs. The move could encourage more use of reusable materials and reduce waste overall.
Maine is the first state in the nation to pass this kind of law, and advocates say it will likely be a model for the rest of the county.
Guests:
Maine state Rep. Nicole Grohoski, who sponsored the bill
Sarah Nichols, sustainable Maine director at Natural Resources Council of Maine
