Hazardous waste policy and priorities

The legislature finds that hazardous waste must be managed in a manner that protects the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the State and protects and conserves the State's natural resources and environment. Accordingly, the hazardous waste management program of this State shall be a preventive as well as a regulatory program that gives priority to: (1) The provision of technical assistance to generators to ensure the safe and proper handling of hazardous waste; (2) The establishment of a public education program to promote awareness of what constitutes hazardous waste and the dangers of improper disposal of hazardous waste; (3) The promotion of hazardous waste minimization, reduction, recycling, exchange, and treatment as the preferred methods of managing hazardous waste, with disposal to be used only as a last resort when all other hazardous waste management methods are ineffective or unavailable; and (4) The coordination of hazardous waste management efforts among the counties of this State, taking into consideration the unique differences and needs of each county.