(a) On or before October 1, 2023, the Department shall approve a single producer responsibility organization to represent the interests of producers under this subtitle.
(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly that this subtitle provide a framework for:
(1) Minimizing the environmental and human health impacts of packaging, including by:
(i) Reducing the amount of packaging, especially plastic packaging, sold in the State;
(ii) Reducing packaging waste;
(iii) Redesigning packaging to be recyclable, compostable, and reusable; and
(iv) Reducing the toxicity of packaging;
(2) Conserving resources by increasing the recycling rates and recycled content of covered products;
(3) Modernizing and improving waste and recycling systems in the State, including by:
(i) Facilitating the improvement of reuse, composting, and recycling;
(ii) Stimulating responsible end markets for covered materials; and
(iii) Improving access to and the efficiency of recycling, composting, and reuse infrastructure, with special emphasis on underserved communities; and
(4) Making producers financially responsible for investing in the needed infrastructure and reimbursing local governments and other service providers for costs associated with transporting, collecting, and processing covered materials.