2009 New Jersey Code
TITLE 13 - CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT--PARKS AND RESERVATIONS
13:1E
13:1E-48.2 - Findings, declarations

13:1E-48.2.  Findings, declarations      The Legislature finds that various human and animal health care centers and clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and other facilities generate substantial volumes of medical waste that must be transported and disposed in a sanitary and environmentally sound manner; that this waste poses both a potential threat to the health of those persons who handle, transport, dispose, or otherwise come into contact with it and to the public health; that, in addition to the actual and perceived risks associated with the management of medical waste, there are important aesthetic concerns that must be addressed; that the present regulatory scheme for medical waste is confusing and inadequate, and the enforcement thereof has been lacking and the penalties assessed for violations insufficient; and that the citizens of the State generally lack confidence that medical waste in the State is being managed in a proper and safe manner.

    The Legislature therefore declares that it is appropriate to establish a comprehensive management system that provides for the proper and safe tracking, identification, packaging, storage, control, monitoring, handling, collection, and disposal of regulated medical waste; that monitoring of the regulated medical waste stream is best accomplished through the creation of a manifest tracking system for regulated medical waste; and that it is appropriate to provide for strict enforcement of the law concerning regulated medical waste and to establish substantial civil and criminal penalties for violations thereof.

    L. 1989, c. 34, s. 2.