RePlanet, the state’s largest recycling redemption and processing center, closed all 284 of its centers yesterday, including the ones in Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley, and laid off 750 employees. RePlanet said in a statement that it was forced to cease operations due to “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.”
Statement from rePlanet:
On August 5th, 2019, rePlanet ceased operations and closed all of its 284 recycling centers and processing facilities and is terminating its entire workforce throughout the State of California.
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. As such, rePlanet will be filing for Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC) and its remaining assets will be liquidated by the Assignee.
We regret that these site closures will negatively impact our employees, grocer partners, customers and the recycling community at large. We thank our employees for their hard work and dedication in providing convenient recycling opportunities to our valued customers across the State of California.
