The recycling center at the Albertsons supermarket in North Park has quietly disappeared following a petition drive that was signed by some of the neighbors that blamed scavenging and crime upon people who took their bottles and cans there.
The decision to disband was made by the corporate owner, RePlanet, in late March and not by Albertsons, according to a manager who said in April that he received the notice from RePlanet.
“People in the area are disappointed it left,” said a woman at RePlanet, who added that they received a number of calls after the recycling center was moved.
It officially was closed March 30 and the store at 2235 University Ave. put up a sign that listed the address of the nearest recycling center on 30th Street.
A message was left with the corporate HQ of RePlanet, but the call wasn’t returned.
The campaign began in 2012 after neighbors complained about noise, and people scavenging through trash cans. Literature was stuffed in the mailboxes of surrounding houses and apartments to drum up support. The petition drive obtained 96 signatures.
Earlier, RePlanet told LGBT Weekly they quit crushing glass in the center in response to complaints about noise. They also closed the facility on Sundays and Thursdays. The City’s garbage collectors come into the area on Thursdays.
