Waste Reduction Committee

Waste Reduction Committee - Mar 18 2026 Agenda Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 5:30 PM To join from a computer or mobile device: https://meet.google.com/nqc-zpax-tgt Page A. Opening 1. Call to Order - Welcome and Introduction 2 3-18-26 WRC Meeting Agenda.pdf 2. Approval of Minutes 4 WRC Draft Meeting Minutes 02_18_2026.pdf B. Action Old and New Business 1. Membership Update 2. Monthly Tip Approval 3. Outreach and Engagement- Confirm Earth Day Volunteers 4. UMaine ReuseME Pilot Update C. Open Discussion 1. Review Table Set Up for Events- Demo 2. Public Comment Next Meeting April 15, 2026 D. Next Steps 1. Changes to Event Set-Up Zero Waste Event Planning Guide Recommendations E. Adjournment Page 1 of 5 WRC Meeting Agenda Date: March 18, 2026 Location: Sustainability Department, 829 Sawyer St. South Portland 1. Call to Order 2. House Keeping 5:30-5:45 ●​ Welcome and Introduction - New Member Martin ●​ Approval of Meeting Minutes from February ●​ Approval of Tip for April - Nick / Food Waste ●​ Confirm Volunteers for the Earth Day Event - April 25th 3. Discussion/Updates 5:45-6:30 ●​ UMaine FWPP Update ●​ Review Table Set-Up for Events 4. Action Items 6:30-7:00 ●​ Changes needed to Event Set-Up ●​ Zero Waste Event Planning Guide Recommendations 5. Public Comments ●​ Next Meeting April 15, 2026 Notes ●​ Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities in 2026 April 25​ ​ Earth Day Resource Fair​ ​ Saturday, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM​ ​ Location: Mill Creek Park Page 2 of 5  September 11 (tentative)​ ​ Senior Age-Friendly Resource Fair​ ​ Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM​ ​ Location: South Portland Community Center ​ September (tentative)​ ​ Back to School Night​ ​ Location: South Portland Middle School Page 3 of 5 South Portland Waste Reduction Committee (WRC) Meeting Minutes (Draft): February 18, 2026 Minutes taken by Nick Benfaremo Attendees: √ Evan Twachtman (Chair; District 3) √ Julie Taft (Staff Liaison) √ Nick Benfaremo (Secretary; District 5) √ Lauren Thomas (District 1) √ Linda Libby (At-large) Lissa Bittermann (At-large; Absent) Christopher Walton (District 4) (Absent) Quorum: yes no 1. Call to Order ● Meeting called to order. 2. Approval of Minutes ● Meeting Minutes from January, 2026 approved. 3. Old and New Business U. Maine FWPP Update Will Brenneman (U.Maine graduate student) (remote, video) provided an update of the project. Involved parties met with adopters at Verbena (Lana) and Second Rodeo (Mellisa) implementation at CIA appears to be suspended at the moment. Tabling, lasting two weeks at the two Restaurants, is as follows:  Verbena Feb. 26 11:30AM to 1:00 PM  Second Rodeo March 2 8AM to 10AM A sign up sheet is available in the WRC folder. Table staffing will be by WRC and Reuse Maine volunteers. Handouts will be kept at the resturants. Julie also requested a larger, solo printout of the Recyclable app QR code from William Brenneman for tabling. Recycling Tips March Tip – Blue Bins (Christopher Walton) – approved. April Tip – New Organic Waste Collection Procedure – Nick. Page 1 of 2 Page 4 of 5 South Portland Waste Reduction Committee (WRC) Meeting Minutes (Draft): February 18, 2026 Minutes taken by Nick Benfaremo Repair Fair Debrief A brief discussion concluded that the event was very successful. The Committee approved the writing of thank-you notes to supporters like Aroma Joe’s and Shaws - assigned to Nick. Other Business Linda suggested applying to EcoMaine for a grant to print 5000 stickers reminding people not to “bag” (with plastic), their recyclables. JT will talk to EcoMaine about auditing their contamination rate. Earth Day – April 25, 2026 The Committee decided to table at this event and make it a “Zero Waste Event” in accordance with the City Guidelines. The event is scheduled for April 25th, and a folder containing event planning materials has been created. The Committee discussed the need for volunteers to staff at least one, but up to four, Waste Stations at the event to educate attendees on composting, recycling, and trash, as this is an area where Garbage to Garden volunteers do not provide education 4. Next Steps ● Next Meeting April 15th, 2026 5. Public Comments ● None 6. Action Items Nick April Tip – New Food Waste Recycling Program Julie Julie will provide the group with the link to the volunteer spreadsheet and William Brenneman's email address. Julie will add the flyer sent by William Brenneman to the humane academic docs file in the shared notes drive and ensure tabling Julie volunteers have the necessary documents and printed materials before their shifts. She will also request a larger QR from Will Brenneman Nick Nick will write and send thank you notes to Aroma Joe’s and Shaw, the repair fair supporters. Page 2 of 2 Page 5 of 5