Starting this year, California consumers will pay a 1.5% fee on all products with an embedded battery under a law that aims to curb the risk of battery fires and increase the recycling of lithium batteries. The surcharge, capped at $15, expands a recycling program that has been collecting computer monitors and TVs for two decades. Consumers will pay the fee when buying any product with an embedded battery, whether it's rechargeable or not. Under harsh conditions at recycling and waste facilities, lithium-ion batteries can catch fire and even explode. Supporters of the law say a small fee to fund proper collection is cheaper than fires that can cause millions of dollars in damages.
Wasted food is a financial and environmental bummer. It costs the average person $728 per year, and it amounts to about the same planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions every year as 42 coal-fired power plants. But there are some easy ways to tackle this problem and help both your wallet and the planet. Experts say it starts with a careful grocery list that includes checking your fridge and pantry before you hit the store. Then, store your food properly so it lasts longer. Learn a few simple recipes that can make your leftovers taste great. And try to get excited about your cooking.
California is suing three plastic-bag makers, alleging they misled people by falsely claiming their products were recyclable. State Attorney General Rob Bonta says the businesses violated a law that banned plastic bags that weren't recyclable. He says the businesses labeled reusable bags as recyclable even though recycling facilities cannot process them and they end up dumped in landfills, incinerated or in the state's waterways. The state filed a similar lawsuit against ExxonMobil about a year ago over the oil giant's plastic products. California passed a tougher law that takes effect next year banning all plastic shopping bags at grocery stores.
