Why is out-of-state trash coming to Maine?
Maine has a trash problem. But it’s not Maine’s trash that’s the problem.
Maine has a rule that no trash from out of state can end up in state-owned landfills. That’s good news because all landfills leak, and when they do, it means a toxic cocktail from decades of trash can go right into groundwater and drinking water.
The bad news? There’s a giant loophole that allows trash to come across the border, mix with Maine trash, and go right into the landfills anyway.
With tons of out-of-state trash coming into Maine from states to our south, our communities are taking on the pollution risk for states across the region. That risk includes living next to toxic waste that states like Massachusetts have banned, like construction and demolition debris.
We can’t let Maine continue to be the dumping ground for the Northeast. Together with neighbors to the state’s largest landfill in Old Town, we’re fighting to change that.
Your support counts. Send a letter to close this loophole and keep out-of-state trash out of Maine.
Don’t Waste ME is a coalition of people across Maine working for responsible policies that protect the health of communities most at risk from landfill pollution. Community leaders realized that by closing the loophole and stopping out-of-state waste from ending up in Maine landfills, we could take a crucial step towards a safer, healthier Maine.
We’ll be at a virtual hearing on this in September and we need to send in as many letters as possible before then. Your support counts—thanks for taking action.
