1. As used in this article, "secondary materials" shall mean material recovered from or otherwise destined for the waste stream, including but not limited to, post-consumer material, industrial scrap material and overstock or obsolete inventories from distributors, wholesalers and other companies as defined in rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner of economic development in consultation with the commissioner but such term does not include those materials and by-products generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing process.

2. For the purposes of this article, the department shall assist the department of economic development in conducting secondary materials market development programs pursuant to article six of the economic development law, as added by chapter six hundred fifteen of the laws of nineteen hundred eighty-seven, and other state agencies and authorities conducting waste reduction and recycling programs.

3. The department shall assist in providing consumer education on the economic and environmental benefits of solid waste management practices and the concomitant needs for waste reduction and for consumers to actively seek consumer products which contain secondary materials or which are easily recycled or reused.