Product Stewardship in Maine

This report examines the growing trend of recycling through product stewardship programs. Product stewardship programs attempt to keep potentially harmful products out of the waste stream, reduce pressure on landfills, and encourage manufacturers to reduce waste. Product stewardship is an approach in which producers and consumers bear responsibility for cradle-to-grave management of products. Currently there are 60 state laws on product stewardship in 33 states. Maine administers six product stewardship programs: electronic or “e-waste” products, cell phones, mercury-containing thermostats, CFL bulbs, mercury-containing auto switches, and certain types of rechargeable batteries. Maine rightly should be proud of its leadership in product stewardship, but not complacent. Much work remains to measure and improve the effectiveness of the existing programs and to implement the new framework law.

Product Stewardship in Maine report (PDF)