US EditionNew California fee seeks to increase collection, recycling of lithium batteries
The 1.5% surcharge funds expanded lithium-ion battery recycling to reduce fire risks and landfill disposal, with 7,300 tons of batteries illegally discarded annually, officials said.
- Starting January 1, Californians will pay a 1.5% surcharge on products with non-removable batteries, expanding the electronic-waste recycling program for monitors and TVs.
- CalRecycle estimates about 7,300 tons of batteries enter landfills illegally as lithium‑ion batteries, now cheaper and more accessible, become the fastest-growing source of electronic waste in everyday devices.
- High-Profile fires have produced major evacuations and cleanup operations; Moss Landing's battery fire required evacuation of more than 1,000 people, and earlier incidents hospitalized two girls.
- RethinkWaste, which manages services for 12 San Mateo County cities, says waste and recycling facility workers face everyday hazards as lithium-ion cells can burst into flames under harsh conditions.
- The surcharge is one part of an evolving statewide response to battery risks as Governor Gavin Newsom convened a state agency collaborative in 2024 and new CalFire battery storage regulations take effect this year.
24 Articles
24 Articles
New York Post
UpstractPlayStations, power tools and more will cost Californians more due to battery recycling fee
PlayStations are among a slew of products that Californians will now have to fork out additional cash for thanks to a new electronic recycling "fee" that's being rolled out.
The Bakersfield Californian
New California fee targets batteries in PlayStations, power tools and singing cards
Starting Jan. 1, Californians began paying a new fee every time they buy a product with a non-removable battery — whether it’s a power tool, a PlayStation, or even a singing greeting card.
Associated Press News
New California fee seeks to increase collection, recycling of lithium batteries
Starting this year, Californians will pay a new fee every time they buy a product with a non-removable battery – whether it’s a power tool, a PlayStation, or even a singing greeting card.
Hardly any more a device without batteries or batteries. Many of them then migrate into household waste. The city day warns: fires in garbage trucks and on recycling yards occur more and more often. The federation must react to this.
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