Screening Project for Heavy Metals in Packaging

The current screening project, funded by EPA Region 1-New England, uses an x-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF) to determine the concentration of the four restricted metals, similar to the first screening project. Companies selling or distributing potentially non-compliant packages will be notified and asked to submit a Certificate of Compliance demonstrating compliance with state requirements or submit an action plan to address non-compliant packages. The packaging screening results will assist the TPCH in evaluating the effectiveness of outreach efforts begun after the first screening project to remove heavy metals from the solid waste stream; and will help the TPCH identify where further outreach efforts are needed. The report will be available in the fall 2008.

There are 19 U.S. states that have toxics in packaging laws, including 7 NEWMOA member states that were designed to prevent the use of heavy metals in packaging that ultimately end up in solid waste and recycling streams. Ten states are participating in this project, including Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, California, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Washington.