Maryland § 9-2502

§ 9-2502.

    (a)    On or before October 1, 2023, the Department shall approve a single producer responsibility organization to represent the interests of producers under this subtitle.

    (b)    It is the intent of the General Assembly that this subtitle provide a framework for:

        (1)    Minimizing the environmental and human health impacts of packaging, including by:

            (i)    Reducing the amount of packaging, especially plastic packaging, sold in the State;

            (ii)    Reducing packaging waste;

            (iii)    Redesigning packaging to be recyclable, compostable, and reusable; and

            (iv)    Reducing the toxicity of packaging;

        (2)    Conserving resources by increasing the recycling rates and recycled content of covered products;

        (3)    Modernizing and improving waste and recycling systems in the State, including by:

            (i)    Facilitating the improvement of reuse, composting, and recycling;

            (ii)    Stimulating responsible end markets for covered materials; and

            (iii)    Improving access to and the efficiency of recycling, composting, and reuse infrastructure, with special emphasis on underserved communities; and

        (4)    Making producers financially responsible for investing in the needed infrastructure and reimbursing local governments and other service providers for costs associated with transporting, collecting, and processing covered materials.