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We wanted to supply some other resources we hope are relevant. Climate change can be overwhelming; we hope these help to provide some grounding, information, and inspiration.
We hope to add to this list over time.
Options for Individual Action
Options for Individual Action
Individual action is where most people start when they begin getting involved in environmental and climate justice. It is empowering to be able to take immediate actions, and there is a low threshold for involvement; additionally, interacting with other people who are taking similar actions can be a good way to meet like-minded folks. We encourage anyone who wants to take individual actions to look at the resources below and we hope they are useful.
We also believe that individual action is not enough. It is important to think about our everyday actions, but collective action has larger reach and can effect much broader change than any of us can achieve alone. We are stronger together. The climate crisis isn't happening because people aren't recycling or are drinking bottled water (though we encourage everyone to recycle and use reuseable water bottles); it's caused by large corporations refusing to change. In order to prevent the worst effects of climate change, we need those corporations to change their behavior, which they will only do if they are forced to. Regulating corporations and mass government interventions are the way to mitigate climate change.
That said, individual action is a great place to start and build your environmental awareness muscles! And the less pollution and trash in the world, the better.
Recycling & Donating
Recycling & Donating
Recycling/donating in Aroostook County is limited, but there are options. Corrugated cardboard, newspapers, magazines and catalogs, #2 HDPE clear plastic Containers, #2 Colored Plastic Containers, and tin cans can be dropped off in "igloos" located around the County. You can find a list of locations for the igloos here.
Graves Supermarket accepts plastic films recycling (plastic bags) as well as redeemables (drink cans and bottles). There are multiple redemption centers around town as well where you can get reimbursed if you return drink cans and bottles. An internet search will show a number of options.
Additionally, Home Ec. Market in Presque Isle accepts glass recycling and will reuse clean jars. They also use TerraCycle for a number of hard-to-recycle packages and offer some electronics recycling; you can see their list by clicking here. They also offer numerous bulk and low-packaging options for people looking minimize their packaging waste.
There are numerous options for donating used clothes and other items in Presque Isle. Home Ec. Market offers clothing consignment. Cubby Thriftstores accepts a wide range of used items - clothing, working electronics, household goods, hardware, craft supplies, kitchen equipment, books, shelf-stable food, and much more.
Compost buckets are available for home use. The Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District distributes and collects compost buckets at the PI farmer's market for community food waste collection. The farmer's market only runs during the summer, but we've spotted these bucket outside of Home Ec Market in the winter, so they may be accepting the compost when the farmer's market is closed; we haven't confirmed it with the staff, though, so we would recommend calling to check.
There is also a community garden in Presque Isle.
Local Food and More
Local Food and More
We are lucky to live in a agricultural region where there are abundant farms. However, it can be tricky to find farmers and other producers who sell direct to consumers. Below is an evolving and non-exhaustive list of local producers, with a special emphasis on organic growers.
Presque Isle Farmers Market is located at the Riverside Park in Presque Isle on Saturdays 8:30 am-12:30 pm during the summer (typically late May to early October). There are many vendors, from vegetables, baked goods, hot sauce, canned items, and more.
Angelus Bell Farm in Fort Fairfield offers a CSA in the summer and fall. Customers pay up front and then get a share of the produce they grow throughout the season. Though not certified organic, they say they grow organically. They also sell their produce at the Presque Isle Farmer's Market on Saturdays.
Whole Earth Farm also sells their produce at the farmer's market. Most of their vegetables are organic, though they source local non-organic broccoli and cauliflower.
Maine Grains sells flour, grains, and beans grown in the Northeast. Though located in Skowhegan, some the farms they source from are in the County. They are more expensive, but their products are of an excellent quality, and they ship. They offer many organic options.
Black Bear Sunflower Oil sells cold-pressed sunflower seed oil from Blaine. Not organic, but it's rare to have a staple like oil available locally. You can buy direct from the farm (pick-up) or from Graves Supermarket in Presque Isle
Local maple syrup is readily available in the County. We've personally found the Maple Moose has a good stock year-round and good quality syrup.
Storibord Coffee is locally roasted and available Graves supermarket and the PI farmer's market.
The Hill Gardens sells locally-made hot sauce. You can buy it at Graves or the farmer's market.
Great North Woods Tea sells tea blended locally. Some of the ingredients are locally foraged. You can buy them at Home Ec. Market.
Northern Maine Brew Company is the brewery most local to Presque Isle. If you brew your own beer, Aroostook Hops sells organic, locally grown and processed hop pellets. Blue Ox Malt House sells malt and malting grains, but may only be available in bulk (we aren't sure, would advise contacting them).
Joh's Doughs is a bakery specializing in bread and bagels.
Al's Green Kitchen Macs sells (and ships) vegan macarons. She has rotating flavors and also accomodate special event orders.
Home Ec. Market also has a rotating selection of Maine-produced food and other local goods (such as lotions and soaps).
If you garden, Aroostook Arboriculture is a good source of local mulch. They produce onsite, and you can buy in bulk or by the bag (they also sell compost/soil).
If you're interested in home composting, check out the Cooperative Extension's resources.
Home Insulation Improvements
Home Insulation Improvements
Improving your home's insulation can be an important way to shrink your household carbon footprint and, in the bargain, save money on the energy required to heat your home.
Efficiency Maine offers home insulation resources. For example, there are rebate and tax incentive programs for offsetting the costs of improving your home insulation.
Note: We understand that rebates and tax incentives are only available to people with enough money to pay the upfront costs, which for many in Aroostook County is not the case. We are investigating whether some of these rebates can be sought directly by the insulation installers, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
Broader Actions and Information
Broader Actions and Information
Below we've listed organizations and information that we hope will help people plug into the broader climate change movement. As we write above, collective action is most impactful and necessary to meet the moment!
Maine Monitor Statehouse Hub has an easy-to-use feature that allows you to track bills in the Maine Statehouse. The Maine Monitor is a non-profit investigative news outlet.
Maine Climate Action Now (MCAN) is a state-wide initiative building the climate movement in Maine. You can see their newsletter here. They are very useful for providing updates about relevant legislation in Maine.
The Climate Action Venn Diagram is a method for individual people to find their role in the climate movement. This tool was created by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and conservation strategist, to help people who want to help but who feel like they don't know how to. The basic diagram is below, and you can read more details about it on Dr. Johnson's website.
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