CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials)

CHaRM Accepted Items

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. CHaRM is open to anyone, even if you do not reside in Athens.

Hours


Tuesday 10 AM - 7 PM
Wednesday 10 AM - 7 PM
Saturday 8 AM - Noon

No appointment necessary

Location

1005 College Ave
Athens, GA 30601
706-613-3501 ext. 4
recycle@accgov.com

*No fees  required for ACC customers with loads exclusively consisting of:

  • Mixed recyclables (bottles, cans, mixed paper, cardboard, etc.)
  • Styrofoam (CLEAN, NO TAPE) 
  • Plastic bags/wrap (plastic bags, stretch film, bubble wrap)
  • Shredded paper
  • Scrap metal
  • Pallets (wooden or plastic, damaged or intact)
  • Food scraps – Residential Only 24/7 drop-off outside the fence off Cleveland Ave
Please note hours of operation listed above.

Teacher Reuse Store logo

Learn about our Teacher Reuse Store for donating school supplies to teachers.


Items accepted and 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. 
  • No facility fee is required for items marked * for ACC residents.
  • Facility fee covers all items listed below except the items noted by $. These items require an additional fee to cover the processing fee.
  • Accepted forms of payment: check or major credit card (no cash, no American Express)
    Appliances and Tools (indoor and outdoor)
    Automotive fluids (no fuels)
    Balls – Golf balls; Tennis balls and canisters
$  Batteries (all types; $0.36/pound; car batteries $1 each)
    Bicycles
    Books (hardcover and paperback)
    Cell phones, tablets, gaming systems
$  Cleaners/chemicals/fertilizers ($5/gallon)
    Clothing & textiles (sheets, pillows, cloth, etc.)
$  Computer & television monitors/screens ($5 each)
    Corks (synthetic or natural)
$  Documents for shredding – ($2/ banker’s box- 24in x 15in x 10in)
*   Donations for Teacher Reuse Store
    Electronics & cords/cables
    Expired/used gift cards
    Eyeglasses
*   Food Scraps (Residential Only- 24/7 drop-off outside the fence off Cleveland Ave)
    Fire extinguishers
$  Glass (automotive, windows, glass doors; $1 per piece)
    Glass dishes, plates, beverage glass, Pyrex
    Grease (used cooking grease/oil)

    Helium, HVAC, & Camping Size Propane Tanks
    Ink cartridges
$  Light bulbs/tubes ($0.50 each)
$  Mattresses & box springs ($10 each)
    Media (CDs, DVDs, VHS, Tapes, etc.)
    Mercury-containing devices
    Mirrors (broken or intact)
    Motor oil filters
    Mixed recyclables (bottles, cans, paper, cardboard, etc.)
    Musical instruments
$  Paint ($2/gallon container)
*   Pallets (wooden or plastic, damaged or intact)
*   Plastic bags/wrap (plastic bags, stretch film, bubble wrap) 
$  Propane tanks (20# or larger; $5 each, smaller; included with facility fee)
*   Scrap Metal
    Sharps/syringes (in a bleach or detergent bottle,             residential only)
    Shoes (wearable only)
*  Shredded paper
*  Styrofoam (CLEAN, NO TAPE) 
$  Tires ($3.00/ tire; $10/oversize tire or on rim )
    U.S. flags for patriotic retirement at VFW

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.


For more information about CHaRM contact Recycling Division at recycle@accgov.com