The new law makes Maine the 11th state – and final state in New England – to implement this proven and effective solution to slash food waste.
MAINE – In a major environmental and public health victory, Maine enacts LD 1065 – An Act Regarding the Reduction and Recycling of Food Waste. With this new law, Maine becomes the 11th state in the nation – and the last in New England – to adopt a comprehensive program to cut food waste, expand food donation, and strengthen composting infrastructure.
The new law, which Just Zero drafted and helped state legislators amend based on our Food Waste Prevention and Recycling legislative toolkit, will dramatically reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfills and incinerators each year, while also helping to feed people in need and protect Maine’s climate and communities.
"This is a huge win for Maine," said Peter Blair, Policy and Advocacy Director with Just Zero. "It marks a turning point in how we think about and manage food. Instead of letting this valuable resource rot in landfills, Maine will work to eliminate needless waste, feed those in need, and fight climate change by investing in composting. This is a smart, comprehensive policy that will benefit everyone in the state."
The new law targets the largest food waste generators, such as supermarkets, universities, and food distributors, and requires them to:
- Reduce the amount of food waste they generate,
- Donate edible surplus food, and
- Recycle all remaining food waste through composting or anerobic digestion.
Across the U.S., roughly 40% of all food – more than 100 million tons annually – is wasted. At the same time, one in eight Mainers struggles with food insecurity, including tens of thousands of children and seniors. In Maine, food waste makes up nearly 30% of what ends up in landfills, burdening taxpayers and accelerating climate change. Organic waste buried in landfills emits methane – a potent greenhouse gas.
"Maine is no longer the outlier in New England," added Blair. "With this new law, Maine is building a future where food nourishes people – not landfills."
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Just Zero is a national environmental non-profit that works to implement proven and effective solutions to our waste crisis while also protecting people and the planet.
