California’s largest recycling center will shut down

RePlanet, the state’s largest operator of recycling and redemption centers has announced it will shut down operations. That will result in closing 284 centers and laying off over 700 employees.

The company blamed the closure on reduced prices for recycling and increased business costs.
“With the continued reduction in State fees, the depressed pricing of recycled aluminum and PET plastic, and the rise in operating costs resulting from minimum wage increases and required health and workers compensation insurance, the Company has concluded that operation of these recycling centers and supporting operations is no longer sustainable,”

The shutdown comes three years after the company closed nearly 200 recycling centers and laid off 278 employees.

RePlanet has one location in Elk Grove near Bruceville and Elk Grove Blvd, behind Kohls Shopping Center. There are five locations in Sacramento, including one near Cosumnes River College and one near the Greenhaven/Pocket area.