California recycling center closes to slow spread of COVID-19

Humboldt Waste Management Authority’s (HWMA) Eureka Recycling Center, located in Eureka, California, has announced plans to close until further notice. According to a news release from HWMA, the closure is a precautionary measure following local, state and federal emergency declarations and implementing recommendations regarding social distancing to prevent the proliferation and spread of COVID-19.

“Because this virus can spread from person-to-person contact, HWMA is suspending CRV Buy Back activities in an effort to decrease person-to-person interactions while directly handling used aluminum, plastic or glass CRV materials at the Eureka Recycling Center,” HWMA states.

“We apologize for the disruption this will cause to our recycling customers; however, our priority is the safety of our customers and employees,” says Jill Duffy, executive director of HWMA. “HWMA will monitor the COVID-19 virus outbreak and resume CRV Buy Back activities when it is safe to do so. We encourage customers to place all their recyclable materials, including CRV containers, into their recycling curbside collection bins. These bins will continue to be picked up by curbside collection companies and processed mechanically, thereby ensuring materials will be recycled and not landfilled.”

The temporary closure of the Eureka Recycling Center also affects HWMA’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection facility. HWMA says that facility will be unable to accept hazardous wastes by residents, but it will continue to accept business-generated hazardous waste by appointment only.