"The 1.5% surcharge, capped at $15, expands a recycling program that's been quietly collecting old computer monitors and TVs for two decades. The change is a result of Senate Bill 1215, its author being former state Sen. Josh Newman, a Democrat who represented parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino. It was signed into law in 2022. Consumers will pay the fee when buying any product with an embedded battery whether it's rechargeable or not."
"They're also, under some circumstances, a risk. Under harsh conditions at recycling and waste facilities, lithium-ion batteries can burst into flames and even explode. "Paying a small check‑stand fee to fund proper collection is far cheaper than million‑dollar fires, higher insurance premiums, and rate hikes passed back to communities," said Doug Kobold, executive director of the California Product Stewardship Council, which co-sponsored the legislation."
California will charge a 1.5% fee, capped at $15, on purchases of products with non-removable batteries to fund expanded collection and recycling. The fee applies to all products with embedded batteries, rechargeable or not. The program builds on a computer monitor and TV recycling fee that began in 2003. Powerful lithium-ion batteries have become widespread and now power numerous everyday devices. Under harsh conditions at waste and recycling facilities, those batteries can catch fire or explode. The surcharge aims to fund proper collection and reduce fire risks, insurance costs, and rate increases passed to communities.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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