Section 13:1E-99.19 - Written determinationa. Within 18 months of the effective date of this amendatory and supplementary act, the department shall make a written determination as to whether a convenient and economically feasible mechanism for the collection, recycling, and marketing of plastic or bi-metal beverage containers is available to counties and municipalities in this State. A determination by the department that such a mechanism is available shall be based upon a finding that the manufacturers of plastic or bi-metal beverage containers and the beverage manufacturing industries have achieved, by the end of the previous 12 months, the recycling, on a percentage basis, of plastic or bi-metal beverage containers at a rate at least equal to the recovery rates achieved for glass or aluminum beverage containers during that one-year period, whichever is less.b. In the event that the department makes a written determination that the manufacturers of plastic or bi-metal beverage containers and the beverage manufacturing industries have not achieved the recycling of plastic or bi-metal beverage containers at a recovery rate at least equal to that achieved for glass or aluminum beverage containers as provided in subsection a. of this section, the department shall transmit its findings to the Governor and the Legislature, including appropriate recommendations for the proper disposition or recycling of these containers.