Bill > LD1519

This bill establishes a comprehensive stewardship program for electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes, vape pens, and similar devices) in Maine, requiring producers to create and implement a plan for managing these devices at the end of their life cycle. Under the bill, producers must submit a detailed stewardship plan to the Department of Environmental Protection by November 1, 2026, outlining how they will collect, transport, reuse, and recycle unwanted electronic smoking devices. The program must include a convenient collection system that serves both rural and urban areas, with the goal of having permanent collection locations within 15 miles of 90% of state residents. Producers will be responsible for financing the entire program, including collection, transportation, recycling, education, and outreach efforts. Starting 180 days after plan approval, producers cannot sell electronic smoking devices in Maine unless they participate in an approved stewardship program. The bill also mandates that no fees can be charged to consumers when they drop off devices for recycling, and requires annual reporting on the program's performance, including collection amounts, recycling rates, and consumer awareness. Notably, the program aims to achieve specific performance goals, such as having 50% of residents aware of the program by the third year and 70% aware by the sixth year, or achieving a 50% diversion from disposal rate by the fourth year of implementation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1519&snum=132