Is recycling too expensive? Is it too much trouble? Does it really get recycled? And, honestly, does it affect my life? Why should I care?
For the past 15 years, I have dedicated my work to making recycling part of our everyday lifestyle by helping people understand why it matters and what happens to the materials they recycle.
I founded a nonprofit, Live Thrive, because I believed that if I created a recycling facility called CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials), people would bring us their hard-to-recycle materials with confidence that we would handle the materials responsibly.
That commitment meant finding ways to give usable materials a second life by sharing them with local nonprofits for reuse, partnering with responsible processors who could transform materials into new products, and identifying environmentally responsible solutions for materials that could not be reused or recycled.
I quickly learned that a catchy name and a trustworthy face were not enough to inspire participation.
People needed more. They needed education, transparency, proof that materials were being handled responsibly, and a community that believed in the mission.
In recognition of America Recycles Day on November 15, I want to share why recycling deserves a place in our lives 365 days a year.
Georgia is a national leader in remanufacturing recycled materials
What does that mean?
Georgia is home to more than 100 manufacturers that depend on recycled materials to meet their manufacturing needs and produce new products. This represents a billion-dollar industry that creates jobs, supports businesses, and strengthens our state’s economy.
Here are a few examples:
- Plastic: Approximately 33 percent of plastic drink bottles are brought to Georgia for use in the carpet manufacturing industry.
- Aluminum: Novelis, one of the world’s largest aluminum recyclers, operates here in Georgia, recycling aluminum cans into new products, including cans for Coca-Cola and other beverage companies.
- Cardboard: Three of the country’s largest cardboard box manufacturers are located in Georgia.
- Glass and other metals: These materials are also valuable commodities with strong manufacturing demand.
Recycling is not simply about getting rid of something we no longer need. It is about supplying the raw materials that keep industries operating, businesses growing, and people employed.
Protecting our environment protects our future
Our air quality, water systems, and soil are essential to our health and quality of life.
Responsible recycling helps conserve natural resources, reduce the need for virgin materials, keep harmful substances out of landfills, and extend the life of our existing landfill capacity.
Protecting our open spaces and reducing the amount of waste we send to landfills are not optional considerations for the future. They are responsibilities we share today.
Where can you begin?
You don’t have to make recycling complicated. Start with the materials you use every day.
At Live Thrive, we call these our Fab 5 of Recycling: all must be clean, loose and dry.
- Aluminum
- Paper
- Metal
- Plastic bottles and containers #1 and #2
- Cardboard
Think about the items you encounter every day: soda cans, paper towel tubes, soup cans, milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles (leave the cap on), and delivery boxes.
These are common, valuable materials that can generally go into your curbside recycling bin. A little effort can make a big difference.
For more specialized materials, you may need to visit a recycling center like CHaRM.
These are materials like glass, Styrofoam, electronics, plastics other than #1 and #2, and household hazardous materials, such as paint and household chemicals.
At CHaRM, we also accept appliances, cartons, flat glass, mattresses, textiles, clothing, tires, and many other materials.
We currently accept more than 100 different items. Please visit our website for a complete list of accepted materials.
But let’s go back to the big question: Is all this effort worth it?
Our results say yes!
In 2025, CHaRM collected:
- More than 1.3 million pounds of paint and chemicals.
- 20,000 pounds of Styrofoam.
- 2,000 mattresses.
- And much more, bringing our total to more than 5.5 million pounds of materials collected.
Through 2026, our two CHaRM locations have welcomed more than 55,000 visitors and collected over 3.59 million pounds of materials.
Behind every one of those numbers is someone who made the decision to participate. Someone who took the time to separate materials, make a trip to CHaRM, or learn something new about recycling.
Every visit makes a difference. Every material properly managed matters. And every person who participates helps create a more sustainable community.
Making recycling part of everyday life is our goal. Education, awareness and consistent messaging are key to this journey.
We offer facility tours, classes, school programs, corporate challenges, and most importantly, educational opportunities that help children understand the importance of protecting our environment.
We want people to see what happens after they recycle. We want them to understand where materials go, how they are processed, and why their participation matters.
So, this Nov. 15, celebrate America Recycles Day. But don’t stop there! Make recycling a 365-day practice.
Start with your Fab 5. Ask questions. Visit a CHaRM. Bring your family or coworkers. Teach a child why it matters.
Recycling isn’t just about what we throw away. It’s about what we choose to save, what we choose to create, and the future we choose to leave behind.
Together, we can make a difference. And Live Thrive is here to help you do just that!
