The center shall:

(1) Provide targeted business assistance to recycling businesses, including:

(a) Development of business plans;

(b) Market research and planning information;

(c) Access to financing programs;

(d) Referral and information on market conditions; and

(e) Information on new technology and product development;

(2) Negotiate voluntary agreements with manufacturers to increase the use of recycled materials in product development;

(3) Support and provide research and development to stimulate and commercialize new and existing technologies and products using recycled materials;

(4) Undertake an integrated, comprehensive education effort directed to recycling businesses to promote processing, manufacturing, and purchase of recycled products, including:

(a) Provide information to recycling businesses on the availability and benefits of using recycled materials;

(b) Provide information and referral services on recycled material markets;

(c) Provide information on new research and technologies that may be used by local businesses and governments; and

(d) Participate in projects to demonstrate new market uses or applications for recycled products;

(5) Assist the departments of ecology and enterprise services in the development of consistent definitions and standards on recycled content, product performance, and availability;

(6) Undertake studies on the unmet capital needs of reprocessing and manufacturing firms using recycled materials;

(7) Undertake and participate in marketing promotions for the purposes of achieving expanded market penetration for recycled content products;

(8) Coordinate with the department of ecology to ensure that the education programs of both are mutually reinforcing, with the center acting as the lead entity with respect to recycling businesses, and the department as the lead entity with respect to the general public and retailers;

(9) Develop an annual work plan. The plan shall describe actions and recommendations for developing markets for commodities comprising a significant percentage of the waste stream and having potential for use as an industrial or commercial feedstock. The initial plan shall address, but not be limited to, mixed waste paper, waste tires, yard and food waste, and plastics; and

(10) Represent the state in regional and national market development issues.

[2015 c 225 § 108; 1992 c 131 § 2; 1991 c 319 § 205.]

NOTES: