The legislature finds and declares that:

     (1) The management of solid waste can pose a wide range of hazards to public health and safety and to the environment;

     (2) Packaging comprises a significant percentage of the overall solid waste stream;

     (3) The presence of heavy metals in packaging is a part of the total concern in light of their likely presence in emissions or ash when packaging is incinerated, or in leachate when packaging is landfilled;

     (4) Lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium, on the basis of available scientific and medical evidence, are of particular concern;

     (5) The intent of this chapter is to achieve a reduction in toxicity without impeding or discouraging the expanded use of postconsumer materials in the production of packaging and its components.

[1991 c 319 § 106.]