49-833

49-833. Public education

A. By May 1, 1992, the department, in consultation with the state board of
education, shall implement and conduct a program of public education and provide
information to increase awareness of individual responsibility for properly reducing and
disposing of solid waste and to encourage participation in recycling, reuse and source
reduction. The program shall communicate the importance of conserving natural resources,
of avoiding harm to the environment or public health and of promoting resource
conservation, recovery and reuse by industry, this state, municipalities and
counties. The program shall also inform the public of the potential benefits of
collecting and recycling potentially hazardous materials including used oil, batteries
and waste tires.

B. The department is the lead agency and promoter for all state programs that
provide technical assistance for public education programs. In addition to these
coordinating functions, the department shall encourage recycling and source reduction by:

1. Providing advice and consultation to persons, businesses and manufacturers on
recycling and source reduction techniques.

2. Sponsoring or cosponsoring with public or private organizations technical
workshops and seminars on recycling and source reduction.

3. Administering a recycling and source reduction data base and hotline providing
referral services to waste generators.

4. Promoting recycling and the use of recycled products.

5. Administering a recycling and source reduction research and development program.

6. Coordinating a recycling and source reduction public education and advertising
program that includes the use of existing publications from public and private sources,
as well as publishing necessary new materials on source reduction.

7. Recommending to educational institutions courses and curricula in areas related
to recycling and source reduction or encouraging the development of courses in managing
solid waste.

C. The department shall establish or adopt, by rule, an official recycling emblem
and conduct a consumer awareness program with respect to that emblem. Rules may
stipulate prohibitions on the unauthorized use of the recycling emblem.