New Jersey § 13:1e-99

§ 13:1e-99.

The Legislature finds that discarded packaging constitutes the largest single category

of solid waste within New Jersey's waste stream and is, therefore, a necessary focus

of any effort to reduce the flow of solid waste to costly disposal facilities; that

the presence of heavy metals in packaging is a matter of great concern in light of

their likely presence in emissions or ash when packaging is incinerated at a resource

recovery facility, or in leachate when packaging is landfilled; that lead, mercury,

cadmium and hexavalent chromium, on the basis of available scientific and medical

evidence, are of particular concern; that it is desirable as a first step in reducing

the toxicity of packaging waste to eliminate the addition of these heavy metals to

packaging; and that because New Jersey is faced with a very restricted range of disposal

alternatives, the reduction at the source of toxic packaging materials can make a

significant contribution to the reduction of the State's overall solid waste stream. The Legislature further finds and declares that a statewide solid waste reduction

strategy must begin with fundamental changes in manufacturing practices and packaging

processes; and that the most effective and appropriate method to promote reduction

is to prohibit the distribution or sale of toxic packaging in this State. The Legislature therefore determines that it is in the public interest to achieve

this reduction in toxicity without impeding or discouraging the expanded use of post-consumer

waste materials in the production of packaging and its components.