The city of Whitefish has closed its recycling drop-off center on Wisconsin Avenue because of illegal dumping.

The recycling bins north of Alpine Village Market were removed after property owners and business tenants in neighboring buildings complained about recyclables and other material left outside and blowing around on their properties.

North Valley Refuse, the company contracted to maintain the city’s four recycling sites, responded to the complaints by picking up materials five days a week rather than the three days per week in the contract.

That remedy didn’t solve the problem, however, and property owners asked to have the bins removed, according to city officials.

The city is searching for an alternative drop-off location.

Other Whitefish recycling sites remain at the City Beach parking lot, behind City Hall and on Kalispell Avenue behind the former Mountain West Bank building.