Erin Victor

Questions how responsibility for addressing climate change is assigned between individuals, governments, and larger economic systems. Finds that environmental policies often place significant emphasis on individual consumption choices while overlooking the broader structural and institutional factors that drive environmental problems.

Examines how packaging policies can better align goals related to waste reduction, resource circularity, and environmental sustainability. Demonstrates that extended producer responsibility policies are most effective when they are designed to advance both circularity and broader sustainability objectives rather than focusing on waste management alone.

Assesses how effectively Maine’s environmental policymaking processes enable public participation and representation from diverse communities. Identifies opportunities to make participation more inclusive, suggesting that broader and more equitable public engagement can strengthen environmental decision-making and policy outcomes.

Explores how waste is being promoted as a renewable source of clean energy in the United States. Argues that redefining waste as a resource can distract from efforts to reduce waste and allow long‑standing social and environmental harms to continue.

Interrogates whether circular economy strategies can achieve environmental sustainability without addressing underlying systems of ownership, resource use, and economic organization. Finds that efforts to promote circularity may fall short unless they also confront broader property relations and the economic conditions that contribute to environmental degradation.

Analyzes how Maine’s waste management system addresses the growing challenges of waste generation and disposal. Reveals that existing approaches remain heavily focused on disposal rather than waste reduction and resource recovery.