by Sacramento, California — Californians are beginning the new year with higher prices on a wide range of everyday electronics, as a new battery recycling fee officially took effect Jan. 1. The surcharge applies to products with non-removable batteries, including popular items such as PlayStation consoles, power tools, and even musical greeting cards.
State officials say the fee is designed to address a growing safety and environmental problem tied to battery-embedded electronic waste, but critics argue it adds yet another cost in an already expensive state.
How the new battery recycling fee works
Under the new rule, shoppers will pay an additional 1.5% fee at checkout when purchasing covered products in California.
Key details:
- Fee amount: 1.5% of the product price
- Maximum charge: Capped at $15 per item
- Start date: Jan. 1
- Applied at checkout, similar to an existing e-waste fee
The surcharge applies to any product that contains a battery that cannot be easily removed by the user using basic household tools.
Which products are affected
The fee covers a broad and sometimes surprising range of consumer goods, including:
- Video game consoles (such as PlayStations)
- Power tools
- Small electronics with sealed batteries
- Singing or sound-activated greeting cards
- Other battery-embedded devices sold in retail stores
According to CalRecycle, the law applies to any product that “contains a battery that is not designed to be easily removed by the user with no more than commonly used household tools.”
Why California is adding the fee
The surcharge is part of California’s covered electronic waste recycling program, an expansion of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act. The goal is to reduce battery-embedded waste and fund safer collection and recycling programs statewide.
Supporters say the move addresses a growing crisis at recycling and waste facilities, where lithium-ion batteries have become a major fire hazard.
“These things are everywhere. They’re ubiquitous,” said Joe La Mariana, executive director of RethinkWaste, in comments to CalMatters.
Lithium batteries can explode or spark fires when crushed, punctured, or improperly disposed of — incidents that have caused millions of dollars in damage at recycling centers across California.
Industry leaders defend the surcharge
Environmental and recycling advocates argue the fee is modest compared to the cost of battery-related fires and infrastructure damage.
“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.
Read Also: San Diego’s Only Sprinkles Cupcakes Store in La Jolla Closes as Chain Shuts Down
Supporters say the fee ensures manufacturers and consumers help fund the safe handling of increasingly powerful batteries now embedded in everyday products.
Public backlash over rising costs
Despite those arguments, the fee has sparked strong backlash online, with some residents criticizing California for adding what they see as another tax.
One social media user wrote:
“Is there anything in California that you don’t tax??”
Another commenter added:
“California legislators are achieving greater levels of stupidity than anyone thought possible.”
Critics argue that even small surcharges add up, especially for families already facing high housing, fuel, and utility costs.
What’s exempt from the new fee
Not all battery-powered products are affected. According to state guidance, certain items are exempt, including:
- Specific medical devices
- Single-use plastic vaping devices
Officials say exemptions were included to avoid disrupting access to essential medical equipment and to prevent unintended consequences.
Why non-removable batteries are the focus
State regulators say products with sealed-in batteries are harder to recycle safely because consumers often throw them in household trash or standard recycling bins.
Once crushed or compacted, those batteries can:
- Overheat
- Spark fires
- Explode inside trucks or sorting facilities
The new fee is intended to fund collection programs, safer processing, and public education to prevent those incidents.
What shoppers should expect going forward
For most purchases, the added cost will be relatively small — but noticeable on higher-priced electronics. A $500 gaming console, for example, could carry an additional $7.50 fee, while more expensive items could approach the $15 cap.
Retailers are required to clearly display the charge at checkout.
A growing shift in electronic waste policy
California’s move reflects a broader national trend toward extended producer responsibility, where the full lifecycle of electronic products — including disposal — is factored into their cost.
As battery-powered devices become more common, officials say similar fees or programs could expand further in the coming years.
Do you think the new battery recycling fee is a smart safety move — or just another hit to consumers? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion.
