(a) As used in this section and § 4b-15, “disposable product” means any product with an essential part which cannot be replaced, refilled or renewed and for which a reusable product exists, and “single-use product” means any nonconsumable product designed to be discarded after one use or customarily used only once and for which a reusable substitute exists.

(b) The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall, whenever practicable, eliminate the use of disposable and single-use products in state government.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to apply to disposable or single-use products directly related to health or veterinary care or medical or scientific research.

(d) On and after October 1, 1999, the Department of Administrative Services in the exercise of its procurement authority shall not procure any product for state use if the original manufacturer of the product prohibits the remanufacture or recycling of such product or requires any contract that forbids remanufacturing or recycling of the product. The provisions of this subsection shall not prohibit the department from procuring products from a manufacturer who has entered into a written contract with the department or a customer pursuant to which the department or a customer agrees to return a used product to the manufacturer for recycling or remanufacturing provided such manufacturer has established a recycling or remanufacturing program for such product.