Jun 29 - New Green Laws Go into Effect July 1

Beginning Sunday, July 1, three new recycling programs will go into effect in California, from recycling plastic bags, and paying more for your bottles, cans and DVD players.

First, is AB 2449 (Levine), which requires large grocery stores and retailers to provide recycling receptacles for their carry-out plastic bags as well as making reusable bags available for purchase in their stores. Get more information here.

Californians should also be ready to pay a little more when purchasing bottled waters, sodas and other drinks. Californians currently receive the five and ten cent refund value for their bottles and cans they recycle, but have been paying the four and eight cents deposit fees when purchasing those same bottles and cans. That changes on Sunday when the deposit fees increase to match the California Refund Value that began January 1, with five cents being paid for beverage containers under 24 ounces and 10 cents for containers 24 ounces and greater.

The other new program involves an advanced disposal fee to be charged on purchases of portable DVD players. The State Board of Equalization announced that the e-waste fees will extend to those DVD players with screens larger than four inches diagonally. The fee ranges from $6-$10 depending on size of the screen and be collected by retailers upon purchase.

Read more in the San Diego Union Tribune article.>>

What You Can Do

Lanh Nguyen