BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 25, 2023
In the last year and a half, 50 to 60 bottle redemption centers in Maine have been forced to shut down due to financial challenges. If action is not taken quickly, the success of Maine’s recycling program could be in jeopardy. While many think of recycling as a simple individual action that reduces environmental impacts, much of Maine’s recycling success is enabled by redemption centers, which require sufficient financial inputs in order to function. Redemption centers recycle 40,000 tons of material each year, accounting for 60% of all plastic recycled in the state and 100% of glass recycling. Additionally, it has resulted in a significant reduction in roadside litter. ~ Tori Bacall, Bowdoin College student