Stewardship Program for Packaging Draft Rule Reposted for Additional Comment

Date Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Posted In: Communications & Advocacy

The Chapter 428 draft rule was posted for public comment in February 2024. In response to comments received from the public and the Board of Environmental Protection, the Department made changes to the draft rule and reposted the draft rule to provide an opportunity for additional public comment. The additional comment period opened on July 9, 2024, and it will close at 5:00 PM ET on August 26, 2024.
For more information, including a link to the revised Chapter 428 draft rule and instructions on where to send written comments, please visit the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Proposed Rulemaking webpage.

The revised Chapter 428 draft rule provides details for implementing the Stewardship Program for Packaging pursuant to 38 M.R.S. § 2146, with the goals of reducing the burden to municipalities of managing packaging material and improving the design and management of packaging material. It characterizes packaging material, provides a method for determining municipal reimbursement and producer fees, provides a method and criteria for investing in infrastructure and education, details alternative collection programs, establishes a cap for the packaging stewardship fund, and provides mechanisms for ongoing assessment and updates to the program.