(a) The board shall initiate and encourage the development of and by rule shall adopt standards for the approval of elective courses in waste management and waste management degree programs at institutions of higher education.
(b) For purposes of this section, a waste management degree program includes:
(1) a single-discipline degree program with an emphasis on solid waste management and recycling; or
(2) an interdisciplinary degree program that reflects business, political, economic, public affairs, legal, environmental, or engineering perspectives on waste management and recycling.

(c) The board shall encourage institutions of higher education:
(1) to develop graduate or research programs involving research and development of innovative products made from recycled materials; and
(2) as part of a statewide recycling extension service, to provide professionals in recycling fields with technical data and information developed by those programs.