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CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials)
About CHaRM
The Athens-Clarke County Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) is a one stop drop for items that can’t be recycled at the curb or at the ACC recycling drop-off sites due to their chemical composition, hazardous components, size, shape, etc. These materials will be collected at the CHaRM for reuse, recycling and in rare cases, safe disposal.
Hours
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
10 AM - 7 PM
*No fees required for ACC customers with loads exclusively consisting of:
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Click here to view and download the CHaRM Flyer
Fees
$2/trip facility fee for businesses and residents of Athens-Clarke County
$5/trip facility fee for businesses and residents outside Athens-Clarke County
Proof of residency can include government-issued identification, student ID or utility bill.
Accepted Forms of Payment: Check or major credit card (no cash, no American Express)
Learn about our Teacher Reuse Store for donating school supplies to teachers.
Items accepted
Materials included with facility fee:
- Appliances and Tools (indoor and outdoor)
- Automotive fluids (no fuels)
- Balls – Golf balls; Tennis balls and canisters
- Bicycles
- Books (hardcover and paperback)
- Cell phones, tablets, gaming systems
- Clothing & textiles (sheets, pillows, cloth, etc.)
- Corks
- Electronics & cords/cables
- Expired/used gift cards
- Eyeglasses
- Fire extinguishers
- Glass dishes, plates, beverage glass, Pyrex
- Grease (used cooking grease/oil)
- Helium, HVAC, & Camping Size Propane Tanks
- Ink cartridges
- Media (CDs, DVDs, VHS, Tapes, etc.)
- Mercury-containing devices
- Mirrors (broken or intact)
- Motor oil filters
- Musical instruments
- Sharps/syringes (in a bleach or detergent bottle, residential only)
- Shoes (wearable only)
- Shredded paper
- U.S. flags for patriotic retirement at VFW
Additional fees apply, to cover processing costs:
$ Batteries (all types; $0.36/pound; car batteries $1 each)
$ Cleaners/chemicals/fertilizers ($5/gallon)
$ Computer & television monitors/screens ($5 each)
$ Documents for shredding – ($2/ banker’s box)
$ Glass (automotive, windows, glass doors; $1 per piece)
$ Light bulbs/tubes ($0.50 each)
$ Mattresses & box springs ($10 each)
$ Paint ($2/gallon container)
$ Propane tanks (20# or larger; $5 each)
$ Tires ($3.00/ tire; $10/oversize tire or on rim )
Commercial CHaRM Customers:
Must make an appointment with Household Hazardous Waste Supervisor at 706-296-7832 for delivery. Materials will be fee-based.
History
Prior to the opening of CHaRM, hard to recycle materials and hazardous waste were collected during scheduled events throughout the year by the Solid Waste Department. A CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) is a one stop drop for items that can’t be recycled at the curb or at the Athens-Clarke County recycling drop-off sites because they are deemed "hard to recycle" due to their nature (chemical composition, hazardous components, size, distance to end-market, etc.). The first CHaRM in the United States was established in Boulder, Colorado and opened in 2001. Funding for the Athens-Clarke County CHaRM was made possible through the approval of the 2011 SPLOST. This funding provided improvements to the old Solid Waste Department location at 1005 College Avenue as well as much needed equipment for processing. The new CHaRM facility opened on November 9, 2015 which allowed for customers to bring hazardous and hard to recycle materials year round. Purchase of equipment as outlined in the Project Concept continues to be purchased as the facility continues to expand and take additional recyclable materials.