Research Projects
Estimating the Impact of Tradeoffs in US EPRP Rulemaking Scenarios
As Extended Producer Responsibility policies for packaging gain traction in the US, there is an immediate need to understand the environmental, social, and economic trade-offs of the different approaches to policy rulemaking that are emerging across states. Through modeling six ideal type policy scenarios to analyze the likely environmental, economic, and social impacts, this two-year research project is intended to help policymakers adopt effective policies that advance safe and just materials circularity for packaging.
Uncovering Opportunities for Industrial Circular Economy Exchanges in Maine
This two-year project will study opportunities to reduce Maine’s non-hazardous industrial waste (NHIW); items like cellulose trimmings, leather, sandblast grit, and pulp mill waste that are typically landfilled. These waste products are not considered a significant human health or environmental risk, but disposing of them is expensive for manufacturers. Keeping NHIW out of the waste stream is an important strategy for climate change mitigation, efficient resource use, and pollution reduction.
Feed Your Body, Not the Trash Bin
The goal of this project is to reduce school food waste volume, along with related social, economic and environmental measures like cost, student nutrition, and green house gas (GHG) emissions. while simultaneously improving nutrition intake. The project aims to provide insight into the opportunity to implement food waste reduction programs across Maine schools, aiming to develop a model program for school food waste reduction and nutrition improvement that will provide important economic, education, health, and climate benefits for students and the community. Daily food waste tracking and periodic food waste audits will be used to assess performance at each participating school.
Exploring the Potential for Reusable Take-Out Packaging in Maine
Despite state-initiated goals to reduce waste, Maine’s per-capita waste production rate has increased over the past five years. A major source of this waste comes from food packaging and restaurant to-go services. This research project examines how reusable packaging systems can help mitigate waste from restaurant to-go services and seeks to understand the costs and benefits of implementing reusable packaging. To view the Reusable Packaging Resource Guide, click here.
Lead Investigators: Cynthia Isenhour, Jared Entwistle
Sponsor: Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions