The City of Palo Alto will close its Recycling Center, which is located atop one of the city’s landfills, on Wed., Feb. 1.

 

The Palo Alto Recycling Center opened 40 years ago on the Baylands near Byxbee Park. Use of the center has declined drastically in recent years as city residents have begun to favor curbside pickup. The move is an attempt by the city at reducing a $3.7 million deficit in its refuse fund.

 

Some Palo Alto residents have expressed disappointment, citing the center’s convenience.

 

“I use it for things that curbside won’t pick up, like fluorescent bulbs,” said Palo Alto resident Anne Keller to the Palo Alto Weekly. “I have no idea where I’m going to take things, besides throwing them in the trash.”

 

Although the city is advertising alternatives, Keller said that she is “not inclined to make five stops” at different locations when the center provided one. For example, large items such as refrigerators and tires now must be taken to Sunnyvale’s SMaRT facility and dropped off for a fee.

 

However, other residents were instead optimistic that the city’s other programs fulfill residents’ needs.

 

“I think that it is fantastic that the Palo Alto curbside recycling program has expanded to the point where it’s possible to consider closing the recycling center,” said Barron Park neighborhood’s Green Team leader Lisa Altieri to the Palo Alto Weekly. “Nearly all of the materials accepted at the recycling center are now accepted curbside. This shows the city’s strong commitment to support recycling and environmental goals.”

 

The Goodwill drop off station at the center will also be relocated on Jan. 31 to Palo Alto High School.

 

-Ellora Israni