                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

FINDINGS AND INTENT (§ 10.1-1425.20)

A. The General Assembly finds 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 waste stream;

   3. The presence of heavy metals in packaging is a concern because of the
   potential presence of heavy metals in residue from manufacturers&#8217;
   recycling processes, in emissions or ash when packaging is incinerated, or in
   leachate when packaging is landfilled; and

   4. Lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium, on the basis of scientific
   and medical evidence, are of particular concern.

B. It is the intent of the General Assembly to:

   1. Reduce the toxicity of packaging;

   2. Eliminate the addition of heavy metals to packaging; and

   3. Achieve reductions in toxicity without impeding or discouraging the
   expanded use of recovered material in the production of products, packaging,
   and its components.

HISTORY: 1994, c. 944.