Live-Thrive, Inc

Live Thrive Atlanta is a local nonprofit with a mission to empower people, organizations, communities, and businesses to make positive, healthy, and sustainable choices for the environment. Live Thrive Atlanta’s initiative, the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) is Atlanta’s first and only permanent drop-off facility that aims to improve our environmental and public health by diverting hazardous waste and recyclables from Metro Atlanta’s water systems and landfills. 

CHaRM responsibly recycles and disposes of a wide variety of items including paint, household chemicals, electronics, glass, Styrofoam, tires, and much more. In addition to accepting items that are too harmful for the curb, CHaRM also accepts all single-stream recyclables as a service to multi-family residences that may not have access to curbside recycling. CHaRM is the first facility of its kind in Georgia operated by a nonprofit and focused on environmental education. CHaRM provides a vital opportunity for our community to ensure that all hazardous waste and recyclables are properly disposed of.

To fulfill the Live Thrive Atlanta mission entirely, CHaRM also collects used materials such as musical instruments, bicycles, clothing, art supplies, and household goods for refurbishment and donation. 

Live Thrive Atlanta is also investing back into our local community by teaching younger generations to conserve and preserve the environment. Live Thrive Atlanta provides environmental education programs for youth from local schools, scout groups, environmental clubs and summer camps. In 2018, CHaRM hosted over 30 youth groups. This education helps create lifelong advocates for sustainability.

Live Thrive Atlanta’s CHaRM has seen measurable success. Since opening in 2015, CHaRM has properly disposed and/or recycled over 250,000 tons of materials. In the first 4 months of 2017, the CHaRM facility received more items than it did in all of 2016. Traffic at CHaRM has increased over 600% over the course of its existence, jumping from 5,000 visitors in 2015 to over 30,000 visitors in 2018. Processing fees exceeded $319,000 in 2018.  Commodities only brought in a profit of $42,000. Your support helps us cover this deficit! Donations also help cover operations, operating equipment, and educational programming. Show your love for CHaRM - Donate today!