PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 2, 2024
As the head of the Retail Association of Maine, I represent businesses of all sizes, from multi-state retailers to small family-owned shops that have served our communities for generations. While we fully support the goal of reducing waste and protecting Maine’s environment, Maine’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) law for packaging has left many retailers deeply concerned about its complexity, timing and potential costs. Maine’s retail sector is the backbone of our economy. This law risks burdening retailers with new costs and regulatory complexities at a time when many are still recovering from the challenges of the pandemic and grappling with shifts in consumer behavior driven by inflation and online competition. Let’s take the time to craft a program that works for all Mainers – one that helps our environment without jeopardizing the small businesses that are the heart of our communities. ~ Curtis Picard, Retail Association of Maine