The agency shall assure easy access of information among all parties affected by these sections and shall establish a data filing system that will allow all parties to easily monitor the progress of the recycling program set forth in these sections. Specifically, the agency shall: (1) maintain up-to-date listings of, and data from, municipalities, towns, local organizations, and other generators of recyclable paper and newsprint, concerning both present and planned newsprint recycling and collection activities and the overall availability of such recyclable material within the state; (2) provide, to recyclers of old newspapers and other recyclable paper materials, acceptability requirements and specifications with respect to materials destined for de-inking plants and recycled paper mills; (3) maintain a roster of current newspaper publishers, wastepaper dealers, commercial printers, as well as paper and paperboard mills who buy, sell, recover or consume wastepaper in Texas and in other states; (4) in cooperation with various state agencies and officials, publishers, and other parties, assist in the development of those education strategies and market development programs described in §361.423 of the Health and Safety Code, which are designed to promote newsprint recycling; and (5) work closely with Texas Daily Newspaper Association, the Texas Press Association, manufacturers of newsprint containing postconsumer recovered material, and citizen groups concerned with recycling, to monitor problems and issues regarding newsprint quality and the availability of "recycled newsprint." |
