12. a. No solid waste collector registered pursuant to sections 4 and 5 of P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-4 and 13:1E-5) shall, at any time, knowingly collect used mercuric oxide batteries, used nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries or used sealed lead rechargeable batteries placed for collection and disposal as solid waste.
b. A solid waste collector may refuse to collect the contents of a solid waste container containing a visible quantity of used mercuric oxide batteries or used rechargeable batteries.