New Sen. Nicole Grohoski law to improve solid waste management set to take effect this week
AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, September 24, a new law from Sen. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, will take effect. It builds on Sen. Grohoski’s previous work to address Maine’s waste management crisis, which resulted in her sponsoring Maine’s first-in-the-nation packaging stewardship law in 2021.
The new law expands grant eligibility for the Maine Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program, which seeks to divert solid waste from landfilling or incineration. Grant funds can now support the collection and transportation of diverted waste and are also available to public and regional entities to plan and coordinate diversion programs.
“Maine’s waste management challenges are mounting,” said Sen. Grohoski. “Our state’s solid waste diversion rate — the amount of material reused, recycled, composted, or otherwise kept out of landfills — has declined in many areas. Without stronger waste diversion programs, we are rapidly exhausting state landfill capacity, and communities are paying ever-higher fees. This bill, now law, is a step forward in strengthening Maine’s ability to responsibly manage waste.”
In supportive testimony at the public hearing for the bill, Ed Meadows, a resident of Trenton, wrote, “In many Maine towns, like Trenton, the cost of solid waste disposal is the second highest line item in the town budget — only after the cost of education.” Later, he continued, “Let’s say a town wants to explore a more cost effective method of collection and disposal. Where do they get the data to make a cost analysis? Where can they find models of places that have done this successfully? That is what LD 1793 is all about.”
As amended, LD 1793, “An Act to Amend Eligibility Criteria Under the Maine Sold Waste Diversion Grant Program,” received a unanimous, bipartisan vote in the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee. In June, both the Maine Senate and House voted unanimously in favor of it.
As non-emergency legislation, the law takes effect on Sept. 24, 2025, which is 90 days after the 132nd Maine State Legislature concluded the First Legislative Session.
To apply for, find information about or request assistance with the Maine Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program, contact Mark King at Mark.A.King@maine.gov or (207) 592-0455.
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