The department shall ensure that its rules, established in accordance with the commissioner’s rule-making authority in section 12, and guidelines neither preclude business owners from allowing nor require business owners to allow consumers to supply their own containers for the bulk purchase of shelf-stable food and nonfood items. The department shall provide technical assistance and education to business owners and consumers regarding best practices for the use of reusable containers. [PL 2021, c. 177, §1 (NEW).]