Palo Alto Recycling centre to close down on Feb 1

The forty year old Palo Alto Recycling Center will close down on February 1 as the landfill that was located very close to the facility was closed last July.

CALIFORNIA (Scrap Monster):  The forty year old Palo Alto Recycling Center will close down on February 1 as the landfill that was located very close to the facility was closed last July.

However, people continue to bring recyclable goods to the facility despite advertising and notice on the city’s website. With the popularity of curbside recycling only 6% of the city’s recyclable goods are brought to Palo Alto Center, according to reports.

According to the city's chart, residents won't be left without alternatives, although they might have to travel a bit farther to recycle some items. Large consumer products, such as refrigerators, mattresses and tires can be taken to the SMaRT Station in Sunnyvale (and dropped for a fee), or residents can make an appointment once each year to have the items picked up on their garbage day.

Paper and hardback books are collected through the curbside recycling program, but fluorescent bulbs and tubes can only be deposited at the SMaRT Station or on the first Saturday of each month during the Household Hazardous Waste Day at the Water Quality Control Plant at 2501 Embarcadero Way in Palo Alto. Hazardous waste includes motor oil and filters, antifreeze, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, paint, household chemicals, mercury thermometers and thermostats, sharps and pharmaceuticals. These items can also be dropped off by appointment during mid-month events, according to the city. Cooking oil can be recycled at the SMaRT station.

Items accepted at curbside in Palo Alto

Mixed paper, magazines, newspapers, cardboard, paperback and hardcover books, PET No. 1, HDPE No. 2 clear and color, HDPE plastic No. 3-7, plastic bags/film, rigid plastic items (limited size), glass bottles, aluminum cans, aluminum foil, tin cans, small pieces of scrap metal, small consumer electronics, household batteries, large appliances such as washers (for a fee), mattresses and box springs (for a fee), bulky items such as furniture (for a fee), residential motor oil and residential oil filters.

(Courtesy: Paloaltoonline.org)