Plastic waste and debris is a pressing concern for coastal communities like ours — harming marine ecosystems and leading to microplastics in our seafood. The bulk of single-use plastic products are associated with food service. Using reusable packaging instead of disposable packaging is both financially and environmentally responsible. Now is the time for Maine to embrace reuse. I’m a proud member of the coalition working to support restaurants in piloting the use of reusable packaging in South Portland. 

We are currently in a policy window for introducing sustainable reuse infrastructure. For about a quarter century, China bought much of the U.S.’ plastic recyclables. This changed in 2018 when many U.S. recycling programs switched to single stream and China tightened contamination standards in a policy action nicknamed the “Green Sword.”

Transfer stations and sorting plants across the country lost significant revenue and plastic recycling in the U.S. dropped to 5%. Today, the majority of plastics end up in incinerators, landfills or our ecosystems. When plastic is recycled, the processes consume more energy on top of the initial plastic production. 

Cities across the globe are already exploring reuse and finding success. As a food and beverage city, South Portland is well positioned to be among these innovators and to reap the benefits. I worked in the South Portland food service industry for four years and I am excited about this opportunity for diverse stakeholders to create workable reuse solutions here in Maine.

Katherine Kirk 
South Portland