§22-22B-3. State government program for waste reduction and the collection of recyclable wastes; planning and implementation; annual reports by agencies; what to be included in programs; coordination of efforts.

(a) The Department of Environmental Management shall assess the status of recycling efforts undertaken by the state for solid waste generated by the operations of state agencies and public school systems and shall evaluate existing programs and develop necessary new programs for recycling to reduce the generation of solid waste by the state. The programs shall include, without limitation, recycling of office papers, cardboard, yard waste and other materials produced by the state for which recycling markets exist or may be developed.

(b) Waste reduction and recycling plan. Within 180 days of April 19, 1990, the Department of Environmental Management shall develop and implement a model program for the reduction and recycling of the solid wastes generated by its own operations and which addresses the requirements of subsections (c) and (d) below. Within one year of April 19, 1990, each department and agency of the state and the public school systems shall implement a program of waste reduction and recycling based on the model program of the Department of Environmental Management. Following the implementation of a program, each agency shall report annually on the implementation and results of its program. Such reports shall be on forms provided by the Department of Environmental Management and a copy shall be provided annually to the Department of Environmental Management on a due date established by the Department of Environmental Management.

(c) Each program for waste reduction and the collection of recyclable materials shall establish and implement a source separation and collection program for recyclable materials produced as a result of state agency and/or public school system operations, including, at a minimum, high grade paper and corrugated paper. Each program shall include procedures for collecting and storing recyclable materials, bins or containers for storing materials, and contractual and other arrangements with buyers or collectors of recyclable materials. Each state agency and public school system shall appoint a recycling coordinator and conduct educational programs for its employees explaining the recycling program.

(d) Each program for waste reduction and the collection of recyclable materials shall include a waste reduction provision intended to reduce the amount of waste materials generated in the course of state agency or public school system operations prior to recycling. This phase of the program shall be designed and implemented to achieve the maximum feasible reduction of waste generated as a result of state agency or public school system operations.

(e) State agencies and public school systems are encouraged to coordinate their efforts to assure the maximum benefit of recycling efforts or to increase access to markets for recyclable materials. To this end, state agencies and public school systems may jointly enter into contracts with one another or third parties for the management of recyclable materials as provided herein.

(Acts 1990, No. 90-564, §3.)