2. The Legislature finds that discarded packaging constitutes the largest single category of solid waste within New Jersey’s waste stream and is, therefore, a necessary focus of any effort to reduce the flow of solid waste to costly disposal facilities; that the presence of heavy metals in packaging is a matter of great concern in light of their likely presence in emissions or ash when packaging is incinerated at a resource recovery facility, or in leachate when packaging is landfilled; that lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium, on the basis of available scientific and medical evidence, are of particular concern; that 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 that because New Jersey is faced with a very restricted range of disposal alternatives, the reduction at the source of toxic packaging materials can make a significant contribution to the reduction of the State‘s overall solid waste stream.

The Legislature further finds and declares that a Statewide solid waste reduction strategy must begin with fundamental changes in manufacturing practices and packaging processes; and that the most effective and appropriate method to promote reduction is to prohibit the distribution or sale of toxic packaging in this State.

The Legislature therefore determines that it is in the public interest to achieve this reduction in toxicity without impeding or discouraging the expanded use of post-consumer waste materials in the production of packaging and its components.

L.1991,c.520,s.2.