December Spotlight- ecomaine
When the world feels overwhelming, it’s easy to forget how much good is happening close to home. People Helping People is our way of spotlighting the Portlanders who are showing up, making a difference, and reminding us that we all have something to offer. Hope isn’t something we wait for, it’s something we build together, and all across the city, you will find examples of people reminding us that the most powerful force for change is the simple, human act of people helping people.
“We see our work as helping communities build their own capacity to recycle and support the kinds of everyday behavior shifts that make a lasting difference.”
-ecomaine Multi-family Recycling Initiative Team
ecomaine
Ever wonder where your trash goes after it’s picked up by the garbage truck?
If you live in Portland, odds are it makes its way to the ecomaine Waste Disposal Center, where a team of dedicated staff work behind the scenes to sort materials, recover recyclables, and manage what remains as safely and sustainably as possible. Also housed at ecomaine is the Multi-Family Recycling Initiative, a program focused on supporting residents, property managers, and building staff in making recycling easier and more accessible in multi-unit housing. This month, we spoke with Sarah, Zoe and Emily from ecomaine’s Multifamily Recycling team to learn more about how they’re working alongside community members, why access to recycling matters, and how small, everyday actions can add up to a cleaner, more connected Maine!
Can you share a bit about ecomaine and specifically, the multifamily recycling initiative?
ecomaine is a community-owned nonprofit organization dedicated to safe, sustainable, and cost-effective waste management for more than 65 Maine & New Hampshire communities. We operate a recycling facility, waste-to-energy plant, and landfill, processing nearly 1/3rd of waste in Maine. ecomaine emphasizes education and outreach as essential strategies for sustainable waste practices, positioning us as a leader in promoting public awareness of solid waste management. Through the support of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant, ecomaine launched the Multi-Family Recycling Initiative (MFRI) in 2024. MFRI is designed to bring convenient recycling to multi-family housing such as apartments, condos, and senior living communities. Through collaboration with property owners, staff, and residents, our framework provides free technical assistance and on-site education to help properties start or improve their recycling strategies. Our team is committed to practical solutions that make recycling easier and more accessible for everyone.
What are some goals you’re currently working toward with the program?
The overarching goal of MFRI is to expand recycling access, education, and participation in multi-family residences. To achieve this, our team- Project Manager Zoe Malia, and Project Coordinators Sarah Folan and Emily Gerencer- partners directly with property owners and staff to boost recycling capacity and help properties without programs get started. To support these efforts, we are working towards creating a free digital toolkit packed with resources for property managers and residents to launch or improve recycling systems. Combined with our on-site technical education and assistance, these tools aim to divert more materials from landfills and into the recycling stream. Our team is also tracking diversion rates at each property to measure impact and guide improvements. Ultimately, these goals will help establish lasting, property-wide recycling systems that empower residents and staff to build cleaner, more sustainable communities.
Why is recycling and sustainability important for communities?
Waste management is an ever-present and relevant topic for any community; however, it is especially important for multi-family properties in Maine. 1 in 4 Mainers live in a multi-family home, yet only 8% of multi-family properties in the state have on-site recycling access. This gap means thousands of residents lack convenient recycling options, and as a result, more waste ends up in landfills. An estimated 161,000 tons of recyclable materials are lost to Maine’s landfills every year. Why is that a problem? Maine’s landfills are filling fast, and space is limited. The most effective way to preserve this space and protect our environment is to increase recycling access and reduce the amount of waste we send there. We can all help by following these simple practices:
1) Reduce- Limit the amount of waste we produce. For example, choose second-hand items or borrow instead of buying new.
2) Reuse- Repurpose everyday items, for example reusing tomato sauce jars as food containers.
3) Recycle- Turn waste into new products and reuse valuable resources.
What gives you hope or inspires you most about the work you’re doing?
Our hope comes from the people we meet- residents, property staff, and community members who genuinely want to do better for their buildings and their neighborhoods. Every conversation, every question, and every small change adds up. We see our work as helping communities build their own capacity to recycle and support the kinds of everyday behavior shifts that make a lasting difference. Knowing that this work contributes to strengthening Maine communities is what inspires us most.
Get Involved!
What’s one simple action anyone can take to make a difference in their community through recycling?
Reach out to us and recycle where you can! ecomaine and the MFRI team are here to help. We offer free educational sessions and materials to facilitate easy recycling. If you live in a multi-family property without recycling, we want to hear from you! Recycling is an empowering act. As you recycle, you actively contribute to a greener, cleaner, and better future.
If you have questions about recycling, reference our free Recyclopedia or give us a call at 207-773-1738. To stay up to date on our programming, subscribe to our newsletter here and if you’d like to connect with our team directly, email us at multifamily@ecomaine.org. We are excited to work with you!
We hope these stories help you remember that no matter who you are or what you care about, there’s a role for everyone in building this community. Reach out to us with your story of #PeopleHelpingPeople or let us know how you’d like to help, and we can help connect you with an opportunity that is right for you!