Stewardship Organization Request for Proposals Release:

A Request for Proposals for the Stewardship Organization was published on June 15, 2026.  The Stewardship Organization will be contracted by the Department to administer the day-to-day operations of the Stewardship Program for Packaging.  For a timeline and a copy of the Request for Proposals, visit the Office of State Procurement Services Vender Self-Service System.

Producer Start-up Registration with the Stewardship Organization:

The Department is reminding producers of packaging material that start-up registration will occur following the Department contract with the Stewardship Organization.  Once contracting is complete, the Stewardship Organization will begin preparing the registration mechanism.  Once the mechanism for start-up registration is made available by the Stewardship Organization, producers will have 90 days to register.  Start-up registration will require a producer to estimate and report on the tons of packaging material produced during the timeframe identified in the contract between the Department and the Stewardship Organization.

The Department will provide notification when start-up registration is open through a future newsletter.

Packaging Program Webpage Update

The Department is in the process of updating the Stewardship Program for Packaging webpage.

Producer Guidance:

The Department is working to develop producer guidance to assist with producer compliance.  Producer guidance will detail producer identification, packaging material type identification, start-up registration, annual reporting, methods of estimation, and alternative collection programs.

Producer guidance is anticipated to be released in the Summer of 2026 and will be available on the program’s webpage.  The Department will notify stakeholders through a future newsletter when guidance becomes available.

Alternative Collection Programs Applications:

The Department will begin accepting applications for alternative collection programs beginning the effective date of the contract between the Department and the Stewardship Organization.  The Department will provide notification regarding the acceptance of applications in a future newsletter.

Producer guidance will provide more information regarding alternative collection programs, including how to apply for one.

Municipal Guidance:

The Department is also working to develop municipal guidance to assist municipalities regarding participation, including reporting requirements.  

Municipal guidance is anticipated to be released in the Summer of 2026 and will be available on the program’s webpage. The Department will notify stakeholders through a future newsletter when guidance becomes available.

A municipality that intends to participate in the program should indicate its intent by emailing MainePackagingEPR@maine.gov.