Recycletown future uncertain after downsize, operators say

The shop outside Petaluma that has long sold an array of discarded wares diverted from the county’s central landfill had to downsize in August.|

Recycletown, a shop outside Petaluma that has long sold an array of discarded wares diverted from the county’s central landfill, was forced to downsize, drawing the ire of longtime customers and casting uncertainty over its ability to stay in business.

More than two dozen people addressed the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, expressing concern over the future of what they described as an institution for shoppers seeking rare and unusual finds at discount prices. Republic Services, which operates the county-owned landfill and transfer station off Mecham Road, said the move was necessary to ensure the sprawling operation is in compliance with state regulations.

Recycletown reduced its footprint from three buildings to one in August at the request of the landfill operator and its subcontractor, Recology, said Judy Smith, CEO of nonprofit Garbage Reincarnation Inc., which operates the trading post.

Inventory is down and business has slumped, said Smith, who laid off one employee and cut hours for the remaining five-person workforce.

The facility, which accepts donations ranging from furniture and toys to glassware and building materials, resells them at low prices, historically has diverted as much as 16 tons monthly from the landfill, she said.

Lynn Rossman, who was perusing Recycletown’s varied offerings Tuesday afternoon after addressing county supervisors, said it would be a “travesty” if the facility closed.

A frequent shopper, Rossman was picking up a set of patio chairs. She lives near a former west county dump on Stoetz Lane and is fearful people might discard sofas and other goods along the roadside if Recycletown is closed.

She said the facility provides an option for affordable building materials, and one-of-a-kind finds.

“There are treasures for reuse,” Rossman, 74, said. “There are treasures for gardening; there are treasures for mechanical things - and just neat stuff.”

The facility has served as a resource and community for artists, as well as for bargain hunters making an income reselling goods and those remodeling or building homes, said Smith, who operates a similar facility in Healdsburg.

“Republic and Recology - I don’t think they’re trying to be bad guys, they just don’t really care about us ... it makes me feel terrible. It’s been my life and livelihood for a long time,” she said of the decades-old venture she fears may close next year if she can’t regain access to the buildings.

Peter Pouwels, Republic Services’ operations manager, said the buildings will be used for other purposes, but specifics weren’t available.

The company explored using them as transfer facilities for green waste materials, which it currently doesn’t accept, Pouwels said. However, he said, that’s no longer on the table.

The business needed to be reduced in size to ensure compliance with permits from regulatory agencies, like the California State Water Resources Control Board, he said.

Items have been displayed without being covered, Pouwels said.

That’s prompted concerns over potential water runoff.

Pouwels said the county’s health department noted the “footprint needed to be reduced” during routine inspections multiple times last year, but it didn’t issue any penalties as a result, he said.

“We’re not trying to hurt their business, but we need it stay in compliance because our permits are our operating authority and that’s what allows us to continue to do what we do,” Pouwels said.

Recycletown still has access to the largest of the three buildings, he said.

However, he’s concerned Recycletown is still leaving goods outside - an issue he said he made Smith aware of months ago.

An unrelated lawsuit forced the closure of a compost facility at the landfill in 2015 after state water regulators confirmed the composting operation violated the Clean Water Act.

They found on-site rainwater catchment ponds spilled over at least twice, causing creek contamination.

Smith said she has always complied with requests to rein in her operation.

Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt plans to convene a meeting with the involved groups. He said the county received a correspondence in May about reducing the footprint to potentially allow for a green-waste transfer station.

“To the folks that showed up in my district, I will arrange a meeting with them - Transportation and Public Works, the landfill folks and hopefully Republic - and try to get everyone on the same page to figure out something that works for all and takes care of the issues,” he said.

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