Materials Blog
Document Shredding at CHaRM: What to Know Before You Go
Protecting your personal information while keeping materials out of landfills is easy with CHaRM’s document shredding events. Live Thrive hosts secure shredding events at CHaRM DeKalb on select Saturdays throughout the year. These events provide a safe and convenient way for Atlanta residents and businesses to dispose of sensitive documents.
How it works
To participate, simply make a CHaRM drop-off appointment for the day of the shredding event. When you arrive, staff will guide you to the designated shredding area.
What to expect
There is a processing fee of $0.50 per pound for residents and $1 per pound for businesses. All materials are shredded on-site by a trusted partner and then recycled into new paper products.
How to prepare your documents
Before your visit, remove any non-paper materials such as paper clips, batteries or other metals. Staples are acceptable and do not need to be removed.
Because the paper is shredded directly into the truck, it’s important that only paper materials are included.
Already shredded paper?
You can bring pre-shredded paper to CHaRM any day the facility is open. Just be sure to schedule an appointment in advance.
Check the Live Thrive event calendar to find the next shredding date and plan your visit.
Household Hazardous Materials Recycling
Household hazardous materials are more common than you might think. From cleaning supplies to lawn care products, many everyday items contain chemicals that require careful handling and proper disposal.
At CHaRM, we provide a safe and responsible way to manage these materials and help protect our community and environment.
What Are Household Hazardous Materials?
These are products typically found under sinks, in garages or in basements. They are often used for cleaning, pest control, vehicle maintenance and lawn and garden care.
Examples of Accepted Items
CHaRM accepts a wide range of household chemicals, including:
- Paint, paint thinner and wood stains
- Fertilizers
- Pesticides
- Ammonia products
- Flammable liquids like car oil, gasoline and nail polish
- Pool chemicals and other oxidizers
- Acids like rust remover and hydrogen peroxide
- Cleaning products like bleach and stain remover
- Aerosol cans
- Pill medications
Important Guidelines
All materials must be in their original containers. We are unable to accept construction debris, adhesives, lab chemicals or unknown substances. The only 5-gallon buckets accepted are paint buckets.
When you arrive, bring your materials to the paint and chemical station where staff will assist you in weighing them for processing.
What Happens Next?
These materials are sent to Clean Harbors for proper processing. Paint and flammable liquids are converted into fuel blends, while other chemicals undergo a controlled incineration process that safely breaks them down.
Why It Matters
When improperly disposed of, household chemicals can harm our land, water and air. They can also become more dangerous when mixed together.
By bringing these materials to CHaRM, you are helping divert materials from landfills and waterways and supporting a safer, more sustainable Atlanta.
Make your appointment today and view the full list of accepted items and fees at livethrive.org/charm.
Plastic #4 (LDPE) Recycling at CHaRM | What You Need to Know
Not all plastics are the same, and understanding the differences can make a big impact when it comes to recycling. One commonly misunderstood category is Plastic #4, also known as LDPE (low-density polyethylene).
Here’s what it is and how to properly recycle it at CHaRM.
What is Plastic #4?
Plastic #4, or LDPE, is a soft, flexible and lightweight material often used in packaging. You’ll commonly find it in items like plastic bags, food storage containers and foam-like materials.
Most plastic items include a resin code, a number from 1 to 7 inside a triangle, that helps identify the type of plastic. This code is typically located on the bottom or side of the item and helps determine how it can be recycled.
How to Recycle Plastic #4 at CHaRM
When you arrive at CHaRM, head to the Plasticville station where materials are sorted by type. Signage and staff are available to help guide you.
Plastic #4 materials are divided into two categories:
- Rigid plastics (#4 only): Must have a visible resin code to be accepted
- Soft, foam-like materials: Do not require a resin code
It’s important to note that stretchy plastics, even if labeled #4, should be placed in the stretchy plastic container since they are processed by a different vendor.
Common Misconceptions
Plastic #4 materials are often mistaken for styrofoam, but they are not the same. LDPE is more pliable, similar in texture to a pool noodle, and does not break apart as easily.
Preparation Matters
To maintain the value of these materials, make sure all items are clean and free of tape, food and liquid before dropping them off.
What Happens Next?
Collected materials are sent to https://nexuscircular.com, where they are processed into recycled plastic for future use.
Make Your CHaRM Appointment
Ready to recycle your Plastic #4 materials? Schedule your visit today and help support a more sustainable Atlanta.
Carton Recycling at CHaRM | What You Need to Know
Many everyday food and beverage containers come in cartons. At CHaRM, these materials are accepted for recycling so they can be properly processed and made into new products.
Cartons are made from paperboard combined with thin layers of polyethylene plastic. This layered construction protects the contents inside, but it also means cartons require specialized recycling processes compared to materials made from only paper or plastic.
Common examples of cartons include soup and broth containers, drink cartons, waxed coffee cups and the plastic liners found inside cereal boxes.
When visiting CHaRM, cartons should be placed in the roll-off container located to the left of the Plasticville station. Look for the container labeled for cartons.
Caps can stay on the containers, but cartons should be emptied and clean before drop-off. Materials should also not be placed in bags. If cartons are collected in a bag at home, simply empty them into the roll-off container when you arrive. Keeping the material loose and clean helps maintain its value during the recycling process.
Cartons collected at CHaRM are sent to Smurfit Westrock where they are shredded and processed into new cartons.
Before visiting, be sure to schedule a drop-off appointment through the CHaRM website.
Bringing Clothing, Shoes, Books and Instruments to CHaRM
Many people are surprised to learn that CHaRM accepts more than just electronics and hard-to-recycle materials. You can also bring clothing, shoes, books and musical instruments to CHaRM, where they can be reused through partnerships with local organizations. By working with trusted nonprofit partners, CHaRM helps ensure these items are redistributed, reused and placed back into our community whenever possible.
Clothing and Shoes
Usable clothing and shoes collected at CHaRM are distributed through Green Zone. These items are sorted for resale and donation to families in need. To help ensure items can be reused, please make sure any clothing or shoes you bring are clean, dry and free from contamination. When you arrive at CHaRM, clothing and shoes should be placed in their designated containers.
Books
Books brought to CHaRM are collected by Clean Earth Books. Gently used books are redistributed and resold so they can continue to be enjoyed by new readers. Books that cannot be rehomed are responsibly recycled into new paper products. At CHaRM, books should be placed in their designated collection container when you arrive.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments collected at CHaRM are donated to the Gift of Music Foundation. Instruments are cleaned and refurbished before being placed in the hands of local children who may not otherwise be able to afford them. These instruments are also used in after-school music enrichment programs throughout the community. When bringing instruments to CHaRM, please bring them directly to a staff member at the electronics station so they can be handled properly.
Give Reusable Items a Second Life
Something you’re ready to part with may become someone else’s favorite thing. By bringing reusable items to CHaRM, you help extend the life of these materials while supporting organizations doing important work throughout our community. Ready to drop off your items? Schedule your CHaRM appointment today: https://livethrive.org/charm
Recycling Plastic Straws, Utensils and Corrugated Plastic Signs
Plastic straws, plastic utensils and corrugated plastic signs are all accepted at CHaRM — but there are a few important guidelines to follow before your appointment.When you arrive at the facility, you’ll drop these items in Plasticville, where signage helps you sort plastics by type. Our team is always available to answer questions and make sure materials are placed correctly.
Understanding Resin Codes
Many plastic products include a resin code — a number from 1 to 7 inside a triangle. This symbol identifies the type of plastic used to make the product and helps determine recyclability. You can usually find it on the bottom or side of an item.For plastic straws, utensils and corrugated plastic signs, you do not need to locate a specific resin code before bringing them to CHaRM.
Plastic Straws and Utensils
Only plastic straws and utensils are accepted in Plasticville.Items made from compostable plastic, untreated wood or paper should not be placed with plastics. Those materials can be composted in the CompostNow bins available onsite.All plastic items must be clean and dry with no food or liquid residue. Keeping materials clean helps maintain their value and ensures they can be properly processed.
Corrugated Plastic Signs
Corrugated plastic signs must be truly corrugated — meaning they are made of two flat plastic sheets separated by a row of plastic flutes. This structure makes the material lightweight yet strong, similar to corrugated cardboard.Before recycling, remove any metal posts and place them with metal recycling.Corrugated plastic signs are sent to KW Plastics to be recycled into new plastic material. Plastic straws and utensils are sent to Smurfit WestRock and are currently directed to a waste-to-energy facility.By preparing materials correctly, you help divert materials from landfills and waterways and support sustainability efforts across Atlanta.Make your CHaRM appointment today and recycle with confidence.
Recycling Electronics at CHaRM
Plastic #6 Recycling at CHaRM
Watch Full Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0YKwsn1a8Dc
Many plastic items have a resin code — a number from 1 to 7 inside a triangle — that tells you the type of plastic used to make the product. You can usually find this symbol on the bottom or side of the item.
Plastic #6 is also referred to as PS or polystyrene.
Common examples of Plastic #6 accepted at CHaRM include:
Solo cups
To-go food containers
Other rigid food containers
Certain drink lids
If you see the number 6 in the triangle, that item belongs in Plasticville at CHaRM.
Where Do I Drop It Off?
At the facility, you’ll drop Plastic #6 materials at the Plasticville station. Clear signage will guide you on how to sort by material type and our staff is always available to answer questions.
Before placing items in the designated container, make sure they are clean and dry and free from food or liquid contamination. This helps the material maintain its value and ensures proper processing.
Plastic #6 vs. Styrofoam
Plastic #6 is not the same as Styrofoam.
Styrofoam is expanded polystyrene, also known as EPS. While both are forms of polystyrene, they are processed differently. EPS is collected separately at the Styrofoam station on-site.
Be sure to sort these materials correctly when you arrive.
What Happens Next?
Plastic #6 materials collected at CHaRM go to Smurfit Westrock and are then sent to a waste-to-energy facility.
By properly sorting and preparing your materials, you help ensure they are handled responsibly and diverted from landfills and waterways.
Ready to recycle? Make your CHaRM appointment today.
Plastic #5 Recycling at CHaRM
If you’ve ever flipped over a yogurt container and seen a small triangle with the number 5 inside, you’ve found polypropylene — also known as Plastic #5.
At CHaRM, we accept Plastic #5 for recycling, and here’s how the process works.
What is Plastic #5?
Plastic #5, or PP (polypropylene), is commonly used for:
Yogurt and sour cream containers
Dairy tubs
Food storage containers
Container lids
Household goods packaging
You can usually find the resin code (a number 1–7 inside a triangle) on the bottom or side of the item. That number helps identify the type of plastic and its recyclability.
How to Prepare It for Recycling
Before dropping off Plastic #5 at CHaRM:
Make sure it is clean
Make sure it is dry
Remove any food or liquid residue
Clean materials help maintain the value and quality of the plastic so it can be successfully processed.
Where It Goes
Plastic #5 collected at CHaRM is sent to Smurfit Westrock, where it is sold to processors and recycled into new plastic materials. Proper sorting and preparation ensure these materials can continue their lifecycle.
When you visit CHaRM, stop by our Plasticville station. Clear signage will help you sort by plastic type and our team is always available to assist.
Ready to recycle Plastic #5 the right way?
Schedule your CHaRM appointment today and continue helping divert materials from landfills and waterways.
Did You Know CHaRM Accepts Mattresses?
If you’re replacing a mattress and wondering where it can go, CHaRM has you covered. We accept spring mattresses and box springs, helping divert bulky materials from landfills and waterways while supporting meaningful reuse in our community.
Foam mattresses, foam toppers, and mattresses that are wet or heavily soiled cannot be accepted. Once you arrive at CHaRM, you’ll be directed to the mattress trailer, where a staff member will assist with unloading.
Processing fees apply for both residents and businesses and help support responsible handling: $15 for twin and full sizes and $18 for queen and king sizes.
The mattresses and box springs collected at CHaRM are sent to the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta. There, they’re dismantled, sanitized, and restuffed before being redistributed to disaster relief areas and shelters. It’s a process that turns old materials into renewed resources for those who need them most.