The 707
Rohnert Park plastic recycler to relocate out of state Resynergi, the innovative plastics-recycling company in Rohnert Park, announced this fall its intentions to move operations out of state. Resynergi has been vying for city permission to conduct a new process for converting plastics to pyrolysis oil at its site at SOMO Village, a mixed-use campus shared by a school, an events center and various other businesses along a residential tract in the southeast part of the city. The “microwave assisted pyrolysis” process uses high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment to break down plastics—a process that has raised alarms among some nearby residents and other SOMO Village businesses such as Credo High School, which contend a manufacturing plant is out of place in the neighborhood. The company didn’t specify where its new location would be, but described seeking a better “community fit” in an industrially zoned area with the proper infrastructure for advanced plastics recycling. Resynergi also cited a friendlier regulatory environment and tax incentives as further reasons for moving out of state.
Brian Bauer, CEO of Resynergi, credited the “innovative spirit of California” as being a critical component of the company’s research and development. "Our time in Sonoma County allowed us to develop, refine and validate our technology,” Bauer said in the announcement. “We are deeply grateful to Sonoma County, SOMO Village and our local partners for their support during our critical R&D phase." Rohnert Park city staff approved Resynergi’s permit in December of 2024. But community opposition has continued to be voiced at city council meetings and other public forums. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued three permit-violation notices to the company in August, and the county Environmental Health Division and state agency CalRecycle informed Resynergi Sept. 16 it may need a solid-waste facility permit. Resynergi contends its process is a safe and clean way to “transform hard-to-recycle plastics,” diverting such materials from landfills and oceans. “(Our) technology reduces fossil-based dependency by converting plastic waste into clean, reusable liquid hydrocarbons and creates a circular future for plastics,” the company said. —JW
Farm Bureau reports alleged embezzlement The Sonoma County Farm Bureau says it’s been a victim of employee embezzlement. The local agriculture-industry group announced Oct. 3 that a former employee is suspected of embezzling about $375,000. The news was first reported by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat . The bureau says the individual acted alone and was fired when the suspected embezzlement first came to light. The case was reported to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.— NBb
4,000 foster-youth care packages on the way from RCU volunteers
Nearly 4,000 care bags and birthday boxes will bring smiles to the faces of local foster youth, as Redwood Credit Union last month wrapped up its latest employee-volunteer Day of Impact. On Oct. 13, around 1,000 RCU employees took part in the credit union’s biennial day of community give-back, in which staff assembled enough care packages to distribute among all foster youth in the San Francisco and North Bay counties it serves. RCU is partnering with nonprofit Foster Love in this year’s DOI project. In an announcement of the foster packages, RCU stressed that the gifts are “more than supplies.”
“They provide compassion during one of the most vulnerable moments in these children’s lives,” RCU said in the release, noting that when children enter foster care, they sometimes must quickly pack up their belongings—"often into a provided trash bag”—and begin a stressful transition into unfamiliar surroundings. Over 60% of children in foster care arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs, according to Foster Love, a nonprofit advocate for foster youth. Brett Martinez, president and CEO of Redwood Credit Union, applauded the efforts of RCU employees, highlighting the need to “ensure current and future generations are strong, resilient and continue to thrive.” “This event brings our team together in a shared purpose, connecting each person to something bigger than themselves,” Martinez said. Resources from this year’s Day of Impact will be donated to agencies and nonprofit organizations who will directly place them in the hands of foster children and families in San Francisco, Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties, the announcement detailed. For information, visit redwoodcu.org .— JW
12 NorthBaybiz
November 2025
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