(a)  The purpose of this chapter is to accomplish litter control and establish community recycling programs throughout this state by delegating to the department of environmental management the authority to:

(1)  Conduct a permanent and continuous program to control and remove litter from this state to the maximum practical extent possible;

(2)  Recover and recycle waste materials related to litter and littering;

(3)  Encourage private recycling; and

(4)  Increase public awareness of the need for recycling and litter control.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 37-15-2

  • Department: means the department of environmental management. See Rhode Island General Laws 37-15-3
  • Litter: means garbage, trash, waste, rubbish, ashes, cans, bottles, wire, paper, cartons, boxes, automobile parts, furniture, glass, or anything else of an unsightly or unsanitary nature thrown, dropped, discarded, placed, or deposited by a person on public property, on private property not owned by the person, or in or on waters of the state, unless the person has:

    (i)  Been directed to do so by a public official as part of a litter collection drive;

    (ii)  Discarded, thrown, dropped, placed, or discarded the material in a litter receptacle in a manner that prevented the material from being carried away by the elements; or

    (iii)  Been issued a license or permit covering the material pursuant to chapters 18. See Rhode Island General Laws 37-15-3

  • Program: means those activities of the department to encourage, manage, and fund litter control and recycling pursuant to this chapter. See Rhode Island General Laws 37-15-3
  • Recycling: means the reuse of recovered resources in manufacturing, agriculture, power production, or other processes. See Rhode Island General Laws 37-15-3

(b)  It is further the intent and purpose of this chapter to create jobs for employment in litter cleanup and related activities and to encourage small, private recycling centers.

(c)  This program shall include the compatible goal of recovery of recyclable materials to conserve energy and natural resources wherever practicable.

(d)  Every department of state government and all local governmental units and agencies of this state shall cooperate with the department of environmental management in the administration and enforcement of this chapter.

(e)  The intent of this chapter is to add to and coordinate existing recycling and litter control and removal efforts and not terminate or supplant those efforts.

History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 251, § 2.