Mercury will soon be virtually out of the picture if the European Union's plans follow through as non-electrical devices are targeted in an ongoing mercury phase-out. The world's largest mercury supplier, the EU hopes a reduction of human and environmental exposure to the highly toxic chemical can be agreed upon worldwide. From the Associated Press:

STRASBOURG, France - The European Parliament on Tuesday backed plans to phase out the use of mercury in non-electrical measuring devices, with the exception of barometers and antique instruments.

Medical devices such as thermometers and manometers would be covered by the legislation, which now goes to EU member states for assessment.

The draft directive follows a call by the EU executive Commission to ban exports of mercury from 2011 as part of efforts to cut down the global supply of the highly toxic chemical.

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What You Can Do:

• Learn more about mercury and your health in CAW's Living Green.
• TAKE ACTION against mercury still found in consumer electronics stateside.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed legislation to increase funding and opportunities for beverage container recycling.

AB 3056 by Assembly Member Loni Hancock and the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, utilizes surplus redemption funds to provide consumers and recyclers with a variety of incentives and new opportunities for beverage container recycling.

AB 3056 was supported by Californians Against Waste, local governments, and recyclers.

Read the Governor's signing message here.

For the second year in a row, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed legislation aimed at increasing recycling opportunities for residents of apartments and other multi-family dwellings.

AB 2206 by Assembly Member Cindy Montañez (D-Los Angeles), would have required local governments, waste handlers and apartment managers to work together to provide tenants with a residential recycling opportunity.

While most single family homes in California have long had 'curbside' collection of recyclables, less than 50 percent of multi-family residents have access to recycling.

In vetoing the measure, Governor Schwarzenegger cited its costs and prescriptiveness.

Read the Governor's AB 2206 veto message here.

AB 2206 was supported by environmental groups and local governments.

In 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 399, similar legislation by Assembly Member Montanez.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed legislation that would have established Green building standards and requirements for the construction and renovation of state buildings.

AB 1337 by Assembly Member Ira Ruskin, would have require the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) to promulgate regulations establishing green building standards for the construction and renovation of state buildings, water, energy, and materials conservation, site sustainability, indoor environmental quality.

In his veto message, the Governor objected to assigning responsibility for developing the standards to the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

To read the entire veto message, click here.

AB 1337 was supported by environmental groups as well as the California Forestry Association. It passed the legislature with bi-partisan support.