R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-18.13-2
Findings
Redline — November 1, 2021 → current.View current text →
Current — November 1, 2022
As of November 1, 2021
The general assembly has found and declares that:
The general assembly has found and declares that:
(1) The management of solid waste can pose a wide range of hazards to public health and safety and to the environment;
(1) The management of solid waste can pose a wide range of hazards to public health and safety and to the environment;
(2) Packaging comprises a significant percentage of the overall solid waste stream;
(2) Packaging comprises a significant percentage of the overall solid waste stream;
(3) The presence of heavy metals in packaging is a part of the total concern in light of their likely presence in emissions or ash when packaging is incinerated, or in leachate when packaging is landfilled;
(3) The presence of heavy metals and both perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in packaging is a part of the total concern in light of their likely presence in emissions or ash when packaging is incinerated, or in leachate when packaging is landfilled;
(4) Lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium, on the basis of available scientific and medical evidence, are of particular concern;
(4) Lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and PFAS, on the basis of available scientific and medical evidence, are of particular concern;
(5) 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
(5) It is desirable as a first step in reducing the toxicity of packaging waste to eliminate the addition of these heavy metals and PFAS to packaging; and
(6) The intent of this chapter is to achieve this reduction in toxicity without impeding or discouraging the expanded use of post-consumer materials in the production of packaging and its components.
(6) The intent of this chapter is to achieve this reduction in toxicity without impeding or discouraging the expanded use of post-consumer materials in the production of packaging and its components.
Official source: Rhode Island General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Rhode Island statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.