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Caleigh Wells

Latest Stories (80)

EVs have made big inroads in California. But why do most car buyers go with gas?

by Caleigh Wells
Nov 2, 2023
Wealthier drivers are more open to electric vehicles, but low-income people are hesitant due to purchase cost and a lack of charging stations.
Joey Gil, a Tesla driver, said reducing carbon emissions was a key reason to switch to electric.
Caleigh Wells
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How do waste plants pick through all our unsorted recyclables?

by Caleigh Wells
Aug 14, 2023
Single-stream recycling is convenient for consumers, but difficult for recycling companies. It requires a long and complicated process to make trash valuable.
The pile at the beginning of the day represents some of the recyclables from roughly 5 million daily consumers.
Caleigh Wells/KCRW
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In the California desert, old EV batteries now store solar power

by Caleigh Wells
Jul 14, 2023
It's a small market so far, but using the excess supply of used batteries could help meet the high demand for stored clean energy.
Used electric vehicle batteries are pulled out of cars and plugged into systems in these trailers to begin their second careers as clean energy storage devices.
Caleigh Wells for Marketplace
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Municipal composting helps food scraps find a second life

by Caleigh Wells
Jun 29, 2023
More and more cities are implementing food scrap collection to reduce landfill methane emissions and help meet climate targets.
At the Recology facility, workers have to manually remove non-perishable items that people mistakenly throw into green bins — including garden hoses, plastic bags and milk cartons.
Caleigh Wells
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How one company is tackling the tricky — and expensive — task of recycling clothing

by Caleigh Wells
May 1, 2023
Diverting textiles from landfills is more difficult and more expensive than doing so for paper and glass. A group of formerly incarcerated workers is paving the way.
Companies send in unsold stock and returned clothes to divert their waste from landfills.
Caleigh Wells
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Lead smelters provide a crucial service, but what of the health effects?

by Caleigh Wells
Mar 29, 2023
A secondary lead smelter near Los Angeles is planning to expand, distressing residents concerned about potential illness.
The Quemetco secondary lead smelter, one of the last remaining facilities in the country, is planning to expand. People living nearby aren't happy. Above, a lead and silver smelting plant in operation.
Aizar Raldes/AFP via Getty Images
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With "regenerative" farming, small growers can reap big profits for air and soil

by Caleigh Wells
Feb 13, 2023
Some farmers use methods that reduce carbon and raise crops more sustainably. They hope for support in the next federal farm bill.
Mollie Engelhart started her farm four years ago to support her vegan restaurant chain, Sage.
Courtesy Engelhart
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With water in the West scarce, some tomato farmers look to hydroponics

by Caleigh Wells
Oct 11, 2022
The technique grows plants without soil, submerging roots directly into water.
Scott Beylik’s family started Beylik Family Farms more than 50 years ago, when growing tomatoes indoors was rare.
Caleigh Wells
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One way out of a drought? Technology that makes water potable.

by Caleigh Wells
Jul 18, 2022
The California communities of Santa Monica and Avalon are conserving water but also using desalination to increase the supply.
The touristy beach town of Avalon, on California's Catalina Island, used to have severe drought restrictions. Now it uses desalination to make saltwater into freshwater.
Caleigh Wells/KCRW
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California pet stores can only sell rescue cats, dogs and rabbits

by Caleigh Wells
Jan 9, 2019
A new law aims to help the state's overcrowded animal shelters.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
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