Section 14552.51.

(a) A certified processor seeking to dispose of rejected postfilled containers may not dispose of rejected postfilled containers unless the certified processor first submits to the department, in writing, a request to dispose of the rejected material. No certified processor shall dispose of the rejected material prior to obtaining written permission from the department. If the department fails to respond to a written request to dispose of rejected postfilled beverage container materials within 10 days of receipt of the request, the processor's request for disposal is deemed approved by the department.

(b) All rejected loads of postfilled containers shall be available and subject to inspection by the department.

(c) All possible steps to avert the disposal of the loads of postfilled containers, as determined by the department, shall be taken by all container manufacturers and processors. All transactions or attempted transactions involving rejecting postfilled containers shall be thoroughly documented on the standardized rejection form pursuant to Section 14552.5. The container manufacturer and the certified processor are jointly and severally responsible for this effort.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 753, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2004.)