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Some of the current laws on our books, although counterintuitive and grossly unfair, are nevertheless unaddressed year after year. Imagine what simple and easy adjustments to our laws we could make to benefit our society and the environment. 

True recycling: While glass bottles and aluminum products might meet a very marginal 50% recycling target, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only about 5-6% of domestically consumed plastic products are recycled. Some of this “recycling” includes burning plastics to generate electricity — not exactly an environmentally friendly practice.

Our recycling policies are not as effective as manufacturers often portray them to be.

The deceptions include mislabeling. For example, despite being marked with the recycle symbol, most plastic items we put in our recycling bins are not converted for reuse.

Legislatures should compel manufacturers to produce plastics that are easily recyclable and meet the standards stated by recycling labels. We should exceed a goal of 80% recycling for all plastics, glass, metals and paper products.

Tenant evictions: Right now, California promotes vagrants, transients and trespassers to establish “residency” even without ever having a lease or paying any rent. By setting up a utility account or by........

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