The State of Maine, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Division of Materials Management may have a requirement for a Stewardship Organization for the Packaging Stewardship Program.

The following information was sourced from the Request for Information (RFI) document and is subject to change upon the release of a formal solicitation.

Purpose and Background

This Request for Information (RFI) is an information gathering and market research tool, not a formal solicitation of a specific requirement (such as in a “Request for Proposals” document).  The Department is seeking information from interested parties regarding the services the SO must provide to operate the Program, as defined in this RFI document. This is an opportunity for interested parties to help the Department better understand the marketplace and/or specific subject matter.

In July 2021, the Maine Legislature passed a law establishing a stewardship program for packaging material with the goals of reducing the burden to municipalities of managing packaging material and improving the design and management of packaging material. Producers – generally the brand owners – make payments based on the amount and the recyclability of the packaging material used to contain, protect, deliver, present or distribute their products in or into the State. Producer payments are used to reimburse participating municipalities for recycling and waste management costs, invest in infrastructure to improve the management of packaging material, educate Maine residents on what and how to recycle, and fund SO operations and Department oversight. Municipalities retain responsibility for managing packaging material, the SO operates the Program, and the Department provides oversight and enforcement.

Current Conditions

On December 25, 2024, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection adopted 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 428, Stewardship Program for Packaging, the rules for the Program. The Program rules allow the Department to implement, administer, and enforce the Program. The SO is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Program while the Department provides oversight.

This Program is not yet operational so there are no services currently being provided at this time.

The Department plans to issue an RFP for the SO in the fall of 2025. In the spring of 2026, following a competitive bidding process, the Department anticipates selecting and entering into a contract with the awarded SO. The Department will contract with the selected SO for a 10-year period.

The following information was sourced from the Request for Information (RFI) document and is subject to change upon the release of a formal solicitation.

The services the SO must provide to operate the Program include:

• Conducting a statewide recycling needs assessment;
• Establishing and managing the Packaging Stewardship Fund;
• Establishing and managing a data management system, including a portal for Program reporting;
• Auditing recycling operations and packaging streams;
• Providing Program outreach and reporting assistance to producers and municipalities;
• Assessing and collecting payments from producers and auditing producer reporting;
• Issuing reimbursements to participating municipalities;
• Proposing and issuing investments in education and infrastructure; and
• Annual reporting to the Department.