(a) (1) Beginning July 1, 1992, each regional solid waste management board shall ensure that its residents have an opportunity to recycle. "Opportunity to recycle" means availability of curbside pickup or collection centers for recyclable materials at sites that are convenient for persons to use.
(2) Beginning July 1, 1993, at least one (1) recyclable materials collection center shall be available in each county of a district unless the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission grants the district an exemption. An exemption may be granted if a county is adequately served by a recyclable materials collection center in another county.
(3) Boards shall assess the operation of existing and proposed recycling centers and materials recovery facilities to determine the adequacy of these facilities for the collection and recovery of recyclable materials. Boards shall give due consideration to existing recycling facilities in ensuring the opportunity to recycle and are encouraged to use, to the extent practicable, persons engaged in the business of recycling on March 26, 1991, whether or not the persons were operating for profit.
(b) The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality shall determine by regulation the adequacy of the facilities and the number and type of recyclable materials for which the services in this section must be provided.
(c) Each board shall provide information on how, when, and where materials may be recycled, including a promotional program that encourages source separation of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional materials.
(d) Each board should ensure, alone or in conjunction with other boards, that materials separated for recycling are taken to markets for sale or to materials recovery facilities.
(e) (1) A board shall not prevent a person generating or collecting recyclable materials from delivering the recyclable materials to a recycling facility of the generator's or collector's choice.
(2) However, no person shall divert to personal use or commercial purpose any recyclable materials placed in a container as a part of a regional recycling program without the consent of the generator or the collector.
(3) Any person who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of unlawfully diverting recyclable materials under a regional recycling program shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
(f) Each board shall incorporate into its solid waste management plan its proposal for fulfilling the obligations of this section.
(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the planning or implementation of any regional recycling program prior to compliance with the requirements of subsection (f) of this section.
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