2025 Maine Sustainability & Water Conference

Thursday, March 27, 2025
Augusta Civic Center
Augusta, Maine

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Session A – Sustainable Packaging and Reuse Solutions to Address the Issue of Plastic Waste

All Day Session
Presenters are indicated in bold font.

Session Co-chairs:

  • Adam Springer, Sustainable Products Lead, Hannaford’s Grocery, Adam.Springer1@adusa.com
  • Beatrice Johnson, Environmental Educator, Ecomaine, Johnson@ecomaine.org
  • Beth Bisson, Associate Director, Maine Sea Grant Program, University of Maine, beth.bisson@maine.edu
  • Chyanne Yoder, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Maine, chyanne.yoder@maine.edu
  • Colleen Walker, Director, Process Development Center, Chemical Engineering, University of Maine, colleen.walker@maine.edu
  • Cynthia Isenhour, Associate Professor, Dept. of Anthropology/Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, cynthia.isenhour@maine.edu
  • Dana L. Morse, Senior Extension Program Manager, Aquaculture Lead, Maine Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension, University of Maine, dana.morse@maine.edu
  • David Neivandt, Professor, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, david.nievandt@maine.edu
  • Douglas Bousfield, Professor, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, david.nievandt@maine.edu
  • Elena Bertocci, Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection, elena.bertocci@maine.gov
  • Harsha Elizabeth James, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Marine Debris Challenge, Maine Sea Grant, University of Maine, harsha.james@maine.edu
  • Jessica Nadeau, Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection, jessica.nadeau@maine.gov
  • Jessica S. Jansujwicz, Assistant Director for Research, Maine Sea Grant College, University of Maine, jessica.jansujwicz@maine.edu
  • Keri Kaczor, Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development Program Manager, Maine Sea Grant College Program, University of Maine, keri.kaczor@maine.edu
  • Mahbuba Daizy, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, mahbuba.daizy@maine.edu
  • Megan Mansfield-Pryor, Waste Management Climate Policy Advisor, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, megan.mansfieldpryor@maine.gov
  • Mostafa Rohi Gal, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, mostafa.rohi@maine.edu
  • Olivia Lee, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, olivia.lee@maine.edu
  • Sandro Zier, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, sandro.zier@maine.edu
  • Sanjana Mutyapu, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, sanjana.mutyapu@maine.edu
  • Theresa Torrent, Senior Planner, Maine Coastal Program, theresa.torrent@maine.gov

This session will focus on sustainable solutions, which will help advance the efforts to slow plastic resource loops. Emphasis will be on approaches to replace single-use plastics by designing biodegradable packaging alternatives and ways to reduce its overall demand by identifying effective, equitable, and scalable reuse systems. The session will also explore how producer and consumer input can be incorporated into the development, design, and testing of reusable and naturally derived plastic substitutes through stakeholder-informed processes. Presenters will include members of an interdisciplinary team of students and faculty members from the University of Maine Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Dept. of Anthropology/Climate Change Institute, and the Maine Sea Grant Program, formed as part of NOAA’s Marine Debris Challenge Initiative. Representatives from the packaging, hospitality, and waste management industries will co-lead the session. Presentations and panel discussions will give an overview of the end-of-life package designs and reuse systems developed as part of the project, highlighting the role played by stakeholder engagement in developing solutions that meet the customer/industry standards. Breakout sessions will be integrated into the session to solicit feedback from the audience and address the questions related to the sustainable solutions and future directions.

Session Schedule

Morning Session
Overview of the packaging life cycle and possible solutions/interventions

Afternoon Session
Importance of stakeholder informed process in the implementation of an effective and efficient end-of life cycle system

8:30AM – 8:45AM
Marine Debris – The Problem and the Need for Solutions

Megan Mansfield-Pryor, Waste Management Climate Policy Advisor, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future

While often thought of as two separate issues, there is a lot of emerging evidence that plastic pollution and climate change are actually inextricably linked. Extraction of fossil fuels and other natural resources used in production of packaging and inefficient management of material resources drives both of these global challenges. In addition, recent research has shown that plastic pollution in the environment, including marine debris, is an increasing source of greenhouse gases including methane and carbon dioxide.

However, many of the same solutions that reduce emissions and build resilience can also reduce and prevent marine debris. That is why the work the University of Maine is doing to transition from single-use plastics to more sustainable materials represent a crucial component of the overall work happening across Maine to reduce emissions and become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Maine’s 2024 climate plan, Maine Won’t Wait, includes several recommendations to reduce storm and marine debris including transitioning away from single-use plastics. This opening session will highlight relevant climate plan recommendations related to marine debris, touch on the connections between climate change and marine debris, and identify how more sustainable materials management practices can reduce the negative and related impacts of pollution, plastic waste, and climate change.

8:45AM – 9:30AM
Material Replacement – Marine Debris Challenge Project

Douglas Bousfield¹, Colleen Walker², David Neivandt³, Olivia Lee⁴, Mahbuba Daizy⁴, Sanjana Mutyapu⁴, Sandro Zier⁴, Mostafa Rohi Gal⁴

  1. Calder Professor, Director of the Paper Surface Science Program, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine
  2. Director, Process Development Center, Chemical Engineering, University of Maine
  3. Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine
  4. Graduate Research Assistant, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Maine

Plastics from petroleum have a number of attributes that are difficult to obtain from bio-derived sources. Our group is exploring ways to use highly refined cellulose, seaweed, lobster shell waste, bio-waxes, and chitin to produce packaging materials. Highly refined cellulose has been shown to generate good oil/grease barriers as well as oxygen barrier properties. Seaweed can be used to generate flexible films and barrier coatings. Shells combined with edible binders can be used to create porous materials that are similar to expanded polystyrene. Bio-wax is being developed to generate a hydrophobic layer on paper. Nano-chitin has the potential to impart some antibacterial properties. All of these projects need more work to reach the demonstration point that allows industry to try on a commercial scale. The hope is that we can use resources from our forests and oceans to generate packaging that can be recycled and will decompose into benign components in the environment.

9:30 AM – 9:45AM
Material Replacement – End-of-Life Cycle

Beatrice Johnson, Environmental Educator, Ecomaine

This presentation discusses the importance and strategies of material replacement at the end-of-life cycle, emphasizing sustainable practices. It highlights the need for efficient recycling processes, alternative material sourcing, and the environmental implications of waste management decisions. The focus is on maximizing resource recovery and minimizing environmental impact through innovative approaches in material utilization and disposal.

9:45AM – 10:00AM
Integration of Plastic Replacement Materials into Packaging – Pros and Cons

Adam Springer, Sustainable Products Lead, Hannaford’s Grocery

The integration of plastic replacement materials into packaging offers both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, these materials can help reduce the environmental impact of packaging by decreasing the use of traditional plastics that contribute to pollution and waste. They can also lead to innovative and sustainable packaging solutions that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Additionally, using alternative materials can help companies meet regulatory requirements related to reducing plastic usage.

However, there are also challenges associated with the integration of plastic replacement materials, which includes customer education and acclimation. Finding a balance between the benefits and drawbacks of using plastic replacement materials is crucial for achieving sustainable and effective packaging solutions.

10:00AM – 10:30AM
Breakout discussions – Topics to be added

Facilitated by:

  • Megan Mansfield-Pryor, Waste Management Climate Policy Advisor, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future
  • Mostafa Rohi Gal, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Maine
  • Beth Bisson, Associate Director, Maine Sea Grant College Program, University of Maine
  • Douglas Bousfield, Calder Professor, Director of the Paper Surface Science Program, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine)
  • Mahbuba Daizy, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine
  • Keri Kaczor, Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development Program Manager, Maine Sea Grant College Program, University of Maine
  • Colleen Walker, Director, Process Development Center, Chemical Engineering, University of Maine
  • Sanjana Mutyapu, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept, of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine
  • Harsha Elizabeth James, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Marine Debris Challenge Project, Maine Sea Grant, University of Maine
  • David Neivandt, Professor, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine
  • Olivia Lee, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine
  • Dana Morse, Senior Extension Program Manager, Aquaculture Lead, Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension
  • Adam Springer, Sustainable Products Lead, Hannaford’s Grocery
  • Beatrice Johnson, Environmental Educator, Ecomaine
  • Sandro Zier, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine

1:30PM – 1:45PM
Reuse Systems – Marine Debris Challenge Project 

Cindy Isenhour¹, Chyanne Yoder²

  1. Professor, Department of Anthropology/Climate Change Institute, University of Maine
  2. Graduate Student Research Assistant, Department of Anthropology, University of Maine

Plastic packaging has proliferated through its cultural convenience, economic efficiency, and profitability. Projections of growth indicate plastic production is on track to exceed feedstock bioavailability, which promises environmental, economic, and human costs. The restaurant industry emerges as a primary target for waste reduction, as the most abundant source of identifiable litter originates from food packaging sources. Post-pandemic figures demonstrate growth in takeout and delivery services. The affiliated rise in food packaging waste represents a pressing concern for environmental and community well-being. However, without addressing the systemic roots of production, replace-and-recycle strategies fall short of plastic reduction goals. As such, our focus lies with source reduction strategies—like reuse. Research suggests that durable, washable, and reusable food take out containers can drastically reduce materials use and subsequent waste—generating important environmental benefits. Equally important, reusables can save businesses significant money (Greenberg 2020), help to build a loyal customer base (Wildwistle 2021) and buffer restaurants from the effects of supply chain disruption (Indeed 2024). Yet, reusable food packaging systems vary amongst cost structure, operational requirements, and material composition. We draw on three ongoing pilot reuse programs in three locations—Bath, Bar Harbor, and South Portland—to examine locally the variables that influence the uptake of reusables in Maine communities—and beyond.

1:45PM – 2:00PM
Reuse and Product Stewardship 

Elena Bertocci, Jessica Nadeau
Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Product Stewardship requires a producer, often the brand owner, to be financially or operationally responsible for the end-of-life management of the packaging it produces, thereby incentivizing the producer to consider environmental impacts of packaging choices. Maine has two producer responsibility laws that hold great promise for their ability to facilitate reuse systems by large consumer goods companies at a statewide scale: the Bottle Bill and the Stewardship Program for Packaging.

The Stewardship Program for Packaging is intended to incentivize producers to design and produce packaging material that is reusable because packaging material that is reused will incur lesser program fees. This program will also provide investment funding and stakeholder processes that will facilitate the development of statewide reuse systems. Similarly, the takeback infrastructure and high recovery rates associated with the Bottle Bill provide a real opportunity for producers to test reuse systems in Maine as it pertains to beverage containers. Beverage manufacturers already participate in reuse systems in other jurisdictions and will be required to invest $5,000,000 in reuse systems in Maine over a period of 10 years.

These programs require meaningful involvement from large consumer goods companies welcoming them to bring what they’ve learned elsewhere to Maine and bring what they learn in Maine elsewhere, which is particularly promising for promoting reuse at a national scale. In this presentation, we hope to outline the elements of these policies that promote reuse and facilitate discussion about how to develop and participate in these programs in a way that maximizes their potential in this area.

2:00PM- 2:30PM
Breakout discussions – Topics to be added

Facilitated by:

  • Cindy Isenhour, Professor, Dept. of Anthropology and Climate Change Institute, University of Maine
  • Jessica S. Jansujwicz, Assistant Director for Research, Maine Sea Grant College, University of Maine
  • Chyanne Yoder, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Maine
  • Beth Bisson, Associate Director, Maine Sea Grant College Program, University of Maine
  • Elena Bertocci, Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection
  • Megan Pryor, Waste Management Climate Policy Advisor, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future
  • Jessica Nadeau, Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection
  • Harsha Elizabeth James, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Marine Debris Challenge Project, Maine Sea Grant, University of Maine

2:30PM – 3:00PM
Afternoon Break

3:00PM – 3:10PM
Reducing Derelict Fishing Gear in the Gulf of Maine: Educating and Empowering Boaters to Be a Part of the Solution

Keri Kaczor¹, Stacey Keefer²

  1. Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development Program Manager, Maine Sea Grant College Program, University of Maine
  2. Executive Director, Maine Marine Trades Association

Lobster buoys are a steady presence in harbors and coastal waters along Maine’s extensive shoreline. Boaters contribute to derelict fishing gear accumulation and other marine debris. This results in losses to the lobster industry, as well as economic and environmental impacts to vulnerable communities such as the sparsely populated or inhabited islands that lack the capacity and resources to mitigate marine debris. Marine debris is challenging to remove due to the many small, uninhabited islands with rugged ledges and no reasonable access to safely land a boat. Maine Sea Grant, Maine Marine Trades Association, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, Maine Coastal Program, and Maine Island Trail Association formed a marine debris action coalition to co-develop communications products and deliver outreach to educate and incite action, as well as work to reshape the social narrative around who’s at fault and what can be done locally to help prevent marine debris. Signage was installed at marinas and public boat launches, posters were accessible at public locations, website, placement in printed publication, as well as presentations have enabled this work to be shared across local, regional and national networks. This is the first organized campaign in Maine to engage boaters about the shared responsibilities of marine debris prevention, and how they can be a part of the solution, benefiting commercial fishermen, fishing communities, coastal wildlife and ecosystems in the Gulf of Maine.

3:10PM – 3:20PM
Maine Marine Debris Community Action Coalition: A Community Education and Research Development Initiative to Develop New Materials and Uses from Ghost Traps

Dana L. Morse
Senior Extension Program Manager, Aquaculture Lead, Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Maine Sea Grant and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts is developing and coordinating a community action coalition in Maine to increase the recovery, recycling, and refabrication of marine
debris material. The Maine Marine Debris Community Action Coalition will consist of three primary partners and eight current collaborating organizations from the education, research, industry, and community sectors, with additional members to be recruited through the proposed project activities. One of the objectives of the coalition is to identify and develop improved methods and technological designs from processing and reusing or refabricating marine debris, such as ghost lobster traps and derelict aquaculture farming gear, into products. The coalition will also develop new educational programs and opportunities for high school students and professionals to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to recover, process, and fabricate marine debris materials and create a robust and connected community with information exchange, professional development, and networking opportunities to collaborate and work together to leverage existing resources and efforts within the network.

3:20PM – 3:30PM
Addressing Marine Debris in the Gulf of Maine 

Theresa Torrent
Senior Planner, Maine Coastal Program 

The presentation will examine the issue of marine debris in the Gulf of Maine, focusing on its environmental impact and possible solutions. It will highlight the sources of marine debris in the region, including plastic waste, fishing gear, and other pollutants and discuss the harmful effects of marine debris on marine life, ecosystems, and coastal communities in the Gulf of Maine. It will also review the current initiatives and strategies to address marine debris, such as cleanup efforts, policy interventions, and public awareness campaigns. By analyzing the challenges and opportunities in managing marine debris, the presentation aims to contribute to ongoing discussions on protecting the marine environment in the Gulf of Maine.

3:30PM – 4:00PM
Breakout discussions – Topics to be added

Facilitated by:

  • Keri Kaczor, Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development Program Manager, Maine Sea Grant College Program, University of Maine
  • Beth Bisson, Associate Director, Maine Sea Grant College Program, University of Maine
  • Dana L. Morse, Senior Extension Program Manager, Aquaculture Lead, Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension
  • Harsha Elizabeth James, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Marine Debris Challenge Project, Maine Sea Grant, University of Maine
  • Theressa Torrent, Senior Planner, Maine Coastal Program 
  • Jessica Jansujwicz, Assistant Director for Research, Maine Sea Grant College, University of Maine