Live-Thrive AtlantaCHaRM Corporate Challenge
In 2021, Live Thrive launched another major recycling initiative, the CHaRM Corporate Challenge (CCC).
Drop-off of eligible household materials is at no charge
From livethrive.org/charm-corporate-challenge ↗About this program
The Live Thrive Corporate & Community Challenge gives companies and community organizations an opportunity to engage employees and community members in meaningful sustainability action. Since 2021, participating organizations have collectively diverted more than 700,000 pounds of materials through the Challenge.
Running from November 3, 2026, through April 29, 2027, the six-month program spans America Recycles Day through Earth Day and combines education, waste diversion, and friendly competition to help participants learn more about recycling and reuse while connecting them with the resources available year-round at Live Thrive's CHaRM facilities.
Throughout the Challenge, employees and community members of participating organizations can schedule appointments at CHaRM Atlanta or CHaRM DeKalb, drop off eligible household materials from the Items Accepted list at no charge, make multiple visits throughout the Challenge, and track their impact as visits and pounds of materials diverted are credited toward their organization's participation.
While pounds diverted are tracked, the Challenge emphasizes participation and education, not just weight. The goal is to introduce as many people as possible to CHaRM and the resources Live Thrive provides year-round.
Participating organizations receive promotional resources, educational content, employee engagement opportunities including Lunch & Learns and tabling events, ongoing recognition through Live Thrive marketing, publicity, and social media, volunteer and educational opportunities at CHaRM DeKalb's Learning Garden & Compost Kitchen, opportunities to participate in Kids Day at CHaRM DeKalb, and an invitation to a conclusion celebration and networking event.
Additional options include an ongoing In-Office Collection for eligible non-hazardous materials, a one-day On-Site Collection Event for materials such as paint, chemicals, and electronics available for an additional fee, and a Municipal Collection Event Opportunity for municipalities with customized pricing.
Questions
Who can participate in the Challenge?
Employees and community members of participating organizations can schedule appointments, drop off eligible household materials, and make multiple visits throughout the Challenge.
How is participation tracked?
Track their impact as visits and pounds of materials diverted are credited toward their organization's participation
Is there a cost to drop off materials?
Drop off eligible household materials from our Items Accepted list at no charge
When is the registration deadline?
October 5, 2026 – Registration and signed commitment deadline.
Is the Challenge only about weight?
While pounds diverted are tracked, the Challenge emphasizes participation and education, not just weight.
Details
- Who
- Companies and community organizations and their employees and community members
- When
- November 3, 2026 through April 29, 2027. Registration and signed commitment deadline is October 5, 2026. Later onboarding opportunities available upon request.
- Where
- CHaRM Atlanta and CHaRM DeKalb
- Cost
- Drop-off of eligible household materials is at no charge
Run by
Centers for Hard to Recycle MaterialsShredding at events: $.50 per pound for residents, $1 per pound for businesses (limit 1 Banker's Box per person)The Centers for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) facilities are a premier program of the nonprofit, Live Thrive.
CHaRM Facility Tours + Field TripsGroup Facility Tours: $10 per person; $150 minimum. School/Home School Field Trips: Free for schools.Live Thrive holds CHaRM facility tours for civic, corporate and community groups that include site walkthroughs to show all materials accepted and their processing systems, as well as a tour of the Learning Garden.Zero Waste PatrolThis initiative offers home pickup services (in a limited area) for hard-to-recycle materials.