Environmental groups push for plastic bottle cap modifications in California

LOS ANGELES -- Plastic bottle caps are considered the primary source of waste found on California beaches, according to environmental groups.

About 11 billion plastic water bottles are used in the state each year, and environmentalists believe many of those lids end up in the bellies of wild animals that mistake the plastic for food.

Those groups are pushing for legislation that calls for requiring plastic bottle makers to create lids that are tethered to the container. However, the beverage company industry is fiercely opposed.

Company representatives said the lid changes would be highly inconvenient and require those businesses to update machinery.