CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials)

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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.

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Hours

Monday         Closed
Tuesday        10 AM - 7 PM
Wednesday  10 AM - 7 PM
Thursday      Closed
Friday           Closed
Saturday       8 AM - Noon
Sunday         Closed

No appointment needed.

NOTE: CHaRM will close during extreme weather events such as extreme heat, tornados, or lightning. All closings will be announced here and through social media.

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View our Holiday Schedule

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.)
  • Scrap metal
  • 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

NO CASH: only check or major credit card accepted (no American Express)

$3/ trip facility fee for businesses and residents of Athens-Clarke County
$8/ trip facility fee for businesses and residents outside Athens-Clarke County

  • Facility fee covers all items listed below except the items noted by $. These items require an additional fee to cover the processing fee.
  • No facility fee is required for items marked * for ACC residents.
  • 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)

   Appliances and Tools (indoor and outdoor)

 $   Automotive fluids (no fuels)

    Balls – Golf balls; Tennis balls and canisters

$  Batteries (all types; $0.50/pound; car batteries $1 each)

    Bicycles

    Books (hardcover and paperback)

    Cell phones, tablets, gaming systems

$  Cleaners/chemicals/fertilizers ($5/gallon)

    Clothing & textiles

$  Computer monitors/screens ($5 each)

    Corks (synthetic or natural)

$  Dangerous chemicals requiring separate Lab Pack handling ($10 per gallon)

$  Documents for shredding – ($2/ banker’s box- 10“ x 12" x 15")

*   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, plates, beverage glass)

    Glass dishes, plates, beverage glass

    Grease (used cooking grease/oil)

 $  Hard drives for destruction – ($10 each)

    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.; $0.50 per pound)

    Mercury-containing devices

    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 ($5 per container; in a bleach or detergent bottle, residential only)

    Shoes (wearable only)

   Shredded paper

   Styrofoam (CLEAN, NO TAPE) 

$ Televisions (any size; $5 each)

$  Tires ($3.00/ tire; $10/oversize tire or on rim )

    U.S. flags for patriotic retirement at VFW

CHaRM Painted DumpsterChris plastic film bags CHaRM - Copy

Chemicals loading Cleveland Boo

CHaRM Materials Dropped Off

Chemicals at CHaRM

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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