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Toxics and Hazardous Waste Reduction Program (THWRP)

Toxics in Packaging

In 1992, Maine passed the "Reduction of Toxics in Packaging Law". Since packaging and packaging components account for about 33% of the solid waste stream, Maine was concerned with the toxic elements that could be found in packaging wastes. The legislation that was passed in 1992 focused on 4 toxic metals that were being found in the trash:

Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium

These metals are all Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics (PBTs) which mean that all 4 stay in the environment for a long time without breaking down, accumulate in biological beings, usually in the fatty tissue, and are toxic to our health.

The legislation has two goals:

• Phase out the use and presence of the four regulated metals in packaging and packaging components.
• Prohibit the intentional addition of any of the four regulated metals to packaging and packaging components.

Starting in 1996, the "Reduction of Toxics in Packaging Law" states that no packaging or packaging component can be brought into Maine that exceeds 100 parts per million (ppm) for all of the 4 chemicals. This means that if you add up all of the percentage weights of each chemical, it can't be over 100 ppm. The Model Legislation covers manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers while excluding retailers and individual consumers. The legislation also has exemptions that can be seen in the law:

janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/32/title32ch26-Asec0.html

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