Vermont § 7112 - Public education and outreach

§ 7112. Public education and outreach

• (a) The Agency and the Department of Health, in concert with other relevant State agencies,
  may implement a comprehensive public education, outreach, and assistance program for
  households, hazardous waste generators, municipalities, and solid waste management
  districts, small businesses, health care facilities, scrap metal facilities, dismantlers,
  institutions, schools, and other interested groups. These public education, outreach,
  and assistance programs should focus on the hazards of mercury, particularly those
  associated with the consumption of fresh and saltwater fish; the requirements and
  obligations of individuals, manufacturers, and agencies under this chapter; and voluntary
  efforts that individuals, institutions, and businesses can undertake to help further
  reduce mercury in the environment. These programs may also provide information to
  retailers, wholesalers, and the public on what products contain mercury, including
  those considered to be banned novelty items under section 7105 of this title; information on possible nonmercury alternatives; and information on products that
  do contain mercury, but may be environmentally beneficial. The Agency shall cooperate
  with manufacturers of mercury-added products and other affected businesses in the
  development and implementation of any public education and technical assistance programs.
  The Agency and the Department of Health may assist the municipalities and solid waste
  management districts in developing, designing, and disseminating information for the
  public about mercury-added products, the requirements of the law regarding the source
  separation of waste mercury-added products, and the collection programs that are available
  to the public, including any manufacturer-based reverse distribution system. A component
  of this information may be directed specifically at large public and private institutions
  that use and discard substantial numbers of waste mercury-added products and at any
  other large users of those products. (b) The Agency shall cooperate with neighboring states and provinces and regional organizations
  in the northeastern United States and Canada to develop any outreach, assistance,
  and education programs, where appropriate. (c) The Agency may develop an awards program to recognize the accomplishments of manufacturers,
  municipalities, solid waste management facilities, solid waste recycling facilities,
  household hazardous waste collection facilities, citizens, or others who go beyond
  the minimum requirements established under this chapter, and excel at reducing or
  eliminating mercury in air emissions, solid waste, and wastewater discharges. (Added 2005, No. 13, § 1.)