Dive Brief:
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A growing number of recycling centers in San Francisco, California are closing, prompting Supervisor Eric Mar to call for a hearing about the situation.
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The hearing will gauge the impact the closures have on the city's zero waste policies and low income residents, who rely on recycling deposits to get by.
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The shuttered recycling facilities affect nearby businesses. State law mandates that stores must buy back bottles and cans returned by consumers or face a $100 per day fee. Concerned about the added financial burden shops face, the small business commission has started an outreach program to educate the public about their recycling options.
Dive Insight:
About one year ago, the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council's recycling center has closed, followed by four others in the area. In addition, recent changes made to the daily limits set on recycling deposits, updated to reduce fraud across the state, have also impacted lower income residents.
