R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-18.13-2: Findings.

The general assembly has found 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 and both perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 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, hexavalent chromium, and PFAS, on the basis of available scientific and medical evidence, are of particular concern;

(5) It is desirable as a first step in reducing the toxicity of packaging waste to eliminate the addition of these heavy metals and PFAS to packaging; and

(6) The intent of this chapter is to achieve this reduction in toxicity without impeding or discouraging the expanded use of post-consumer materials in the production of packaging and its components.