San Francisco Community Recyclers
As we posted early in August, San Francisco Community Recyclers located in the Safeway parking lot (2200 Market St) since the late 70's was served an eviction notice to vacate the premises. The September 6th deadline to leave has come and gone and yet the business remains open providing local recyclers service.
Originally Safeway has stated the reason for having the Center removed was twofold: First, the widespread availability of curbside recycling makes such a facility obsolete, and second, the facility has a negative impact on customers and neighbors.
Ed Dunn, general manager of SF Community Recyclers, it seems has other ideas. He is fighting the eviction. Mr. Dunn launched a mighty battle against having the Upper Haight neighborhood center shut as well. It took nearly two years for that process to run its course and in the end the Center was forcibly removed in January.
Is the Castro in for another such battle? The notice to vacate has been extended to October 4th while the paperwork is reviewed by proper channels. Dunn believes that closing the centers at local grocers is a violation of the CA Bottle Bill. The bill states that all California supermarkets have a recycling center within a specified area around their stores, or else they and all nearby retailers must accept recycling drop-offs in-store.
Safeway is looking at providing auto recyclers. Machines that allow consumers to dump cans and bottles, have them weighed and then receive vouchers for cash or goods in exchange for recyclables. These reverse vending machines are experimental. There is one currently installed at their 4th and King St. location.
Supervisor Scott Wiener has been eager to see a change in how private individuals recycle and has been vocal in regards to getting the centers shuttered. Haighternation quoted the Dist. 8 Supe on this issue stating, "Although I’m sure there will be some controversy around the closure, I’m very supportive of it and made that clear to Safeway. In fact, I’ve been asking Safeway to consider alternatives to the recycling center on Market Street since I took office. With the advent of curb-side recycling, we can offer recycling redemption that is less impactful to surrounding neighborhoods.”
We will keep an eye peeled to see what happens next and keep you informed-but-until then you can still go recycle all your cans and bottles for now at Safeway if you so desire.
Ed Dunn, general manager of SF Community Recyclers, it seems has other ideas. He is fighting the eviction. Mr. Dunn launched a mighty battle against having the Upper Haight neighborhood center shut as well. It took nearly two years for that process to run its course and in the end the Center was forcibly removed in January.
Is the Castro in for another such battle? The notice to vacate has been extended to October 4th while the paperwork is reviewed by proper channels. Dunn believes that closing the centers at local grocers is a violation of the CA Bottle Bill. The bill states that all California supermarkets have a recycling center within a specified area around their stores, or else they and all nearby retailers must accept recycling drop-offs in-store.
Safeway is looking at providing auto recyclers. Machines that allow consumers to dump cans and bottles, have them weighed and then receive vouchers for cash or goods in exchange for recyclables. These reverse vending machines are experimental. There is one currently installed at their 4th and King St. location.
Supervisor Scott Wiener has been eager to see a change in how private individuals recycle and has been vocal in regards to getting the centers shuttered. Haighternation quoted the Dist. 8 Supe on this issue stating, "Although I’m sure there will be some controversy around the closure, I’m very supportive of it and made that clear to Safeway. In fact, I’ve been asking Safeway to consider alternatives to the recycling center on Market Street since I took office. With the advent of curb-side recycling, we can offer recycling redemption that is less impactful to surrounding neighborhoods.”
We will keep an eye peeled to see what happens next and keep you informed-but-until then you can still go recycle all your cans and bottles for now at Safeway if you so desire.
