To reduce the amount of waste entering landfills, encourage more recycling, and adopt more environmentally-friendly practices, the City enacted the following programs and policies that took effect April 5, 2015.

Bag Fee

The City of Portland is requires stores to charge customers 5 cents per single use bag. This fee encourages consumers to bring reusable bags in which to carry purchases and will reduce litter by decreasing the number of bags in circulation that may be discarded improperly.

• Frequently Asked Questions about the Bag Fee
• Bag Fee Ordinance (PDF)

Effective April 22, 2020, the State of Maine has banned the distribution of plastic shopping bags. This law preempts local ordinances. For more information about the law please contact the Maine DEP at (207) 314-3357 or mainebaglaw@maine.gov. You can download their fact sheet here.

Polystyrene Foam Packaging Ban

Polystyrene foam packaging poses recycling limitations and a negative impact on the environment when it breaks into smaller, non-biodegradable pieces that can harm/kill marine life and other wildlife. This ban aims to limit these negative implications and boost usage of polystyrene packaging alternatives - which are readily available and more environmentally-friendly.

• Polystyrene Foam Ban FAQ
• City of Portland Polystyrene Foam Ban Ordinance (PDF)