California recycling centers continue to close

Industry experts cite record low commodity values and lower state subsidies.

The Lompoc Record, Santa Maria, California, reports that California’s recycling centers are continuing to close as low commodity values and state subsidies hinder the state’s recycling industry.

The Record says roughly 1,773 recycling centers remain across the state. Mark Oldfield, director of communications of CalRecycle, told the newspaper the state has lost 15.6 percent of its recycling industry as recycling commodities have declined in value. 

“The scrap value is in the toilet, so it’s financially becoming more and more difficult, especially for the small operators, to stay in business,” Shannon Larrabee, operations manager for Larrabee Recycling in Santa Maria, told the newspaper. “One thing that our family, you know, certainly struggles with is what a huge hit that would be on this community to pull an establish recycling center like ours out of commission. But it’s also got to be financially feasible, and the state can certainly do a better job at working with us.” 
 
Sacramento lawmakers were unable to convince Gov. Jerry Brown to approve a measure to forestall closures in June. 

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