The Legislature hereby finds and declares: that the collection, disposal and utilization of municipal solid waste is a matter of grave concern to all citizens and is an activity thoroughly affected with the public interest; that the health, safety and welfare of the people of this state require efficient municipal solid waste collection and disposal service; that there is a need for planning, research, development and innovation in the design, management and operation of facilities for municipal solid waste management, to encourage continuing improvement and provide adequate incentives and processes for reducing operation and other costs in the management of municipal solid waste; to provide for the collection and disposal of municipal solid waste and to encourage planning of municipal solid waste collection and disposal service, it is necessary and desirable to authorize the creation of regional authorities by counties and municipalities to acquire, construct, operate and maintain municipal solid waste management facilities.