Maine seeks contractor for packaging waste program as towns weigh opt-in

• The Maine Department of Environmental Protection issued a request for proposals on June 15 to seek a contractor to operate the packaging waste program for 10 years, with bids due Aug. 3.
• Towns that opt in would be eligible for reimbursement funded by fees on companies, but some town leaders are hesitant because they believe the rules are too cumbersome.
• The program is several months behind schedule, pushing municipal reimbursement to at least the end of 2027, according to the department.
• Packaging materials including cardboard, metal, glass, paper and plastic that encase consumer goods fall under the program, with fees based on the amount and type of material.

Program behind schedule, reimbursement delayed until at least late 2027

After years of planning, the Maine state government is seeking a contractor to run a program that aims to cut down on packaging waste, but its success will depend on how many municipalities participate.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection issued a request for proposals on June 15 for an organization to operate the program for 10 years, according to the agency. Bids are due Aug. 3. The procurement is several months behind schedule, the department said, pushing the timeline for municipalities to be reimbursed until at least the end of next year.

Maine became the first state to approve a stewardship program for packaging in 2021. The law requires large companies and manufacturers to help pay for the cost of recycling the packaging they bring into the state. Much of that packaging is plastic, but any cardboard, metal, glass or paper material that packages a consumer good will fall under the program.

The program is not yet operating, but the state has outlined how it will work: Towns and cities that opt in will report to the state how many tons of packaging they recycle each year. They would then be eligible for reimbursement funded by fees levied against companies that send disposable packaging to customers. How much a company pays will vary based on the amount and type of packaging material it distributes.

Some town leaders said they are hesitant to sign up because they believe the program’s rules will be too cumbersome. Bids are due Aug. 3, and municipalities will then decide whether to opt in.