CHaRM: Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials

What is the CHaRM?

CHaRM opened in 2001 and was the first facility of its kind in the nation. It collects unusual materials like electronics and plastic bags for recycling and reuse.

Computers & Computer Equipment

• Computer Monitors 19” or smaller: $10

• Computer Monitors 20” to 34”: $15

• Computer Towers/CPUs: $8

• Printers/Scanners: $8

• Laptops: $4

• Universal Power Supply (UPS): $8

• Keyboards, Mice, Cables

• Large* misc. computer equip.: 30¢/lb.

*More than 40 lbs.

Copiers & Fax Machines

• Fax Machines: $8

• Desktop Copiers: $8

• Large Copiers (over 40lbs.): 30¢/lb

Phones

• Cell Phones

• Office Phones: $4

• Home Phones: $2

Printer Cartridges

• Ink Jet and Laser Jet 

• Printer Cartridges 

Small Electronic Items

• Digital cameras: $2

• PDAs, iPads, tablets

• Video Game Systems: $4 - $8 (depending on size)

Plastic Bags & Bubble Wrap

• Includes plastic shopping and newspaper bags, ziplock bags, dry cleaner bags and bubble wrap

• MUST be clean, dry, and empty of all food, receipts, etc. with tape and stickers removed

• NO plastic food wrap or black bags; no packing peanuts or foam wrap

#6 White Block Foam Packaging

• #6 White Block Foam Packaging and Rigid Foam Insulation only

• Businesses: $6 per cubic yard

• NO packing peanuts, "Styrofoam" (polystyrene) cups, “to-go” boxes, meat trays or any other food-grade styrofoam, moisture or tape

NEW: Small Plastic Appliances

View and save full guidelines and pricing for recycling small plastic appliances. Abbreviated guidelines are below.

Our flat CHaRM facility entrance fee of $3 applies to these hard-to-recycle plastic appliances, in addition to the fees outlined below. These fees help us cover the costs we incur for processing these materials, which are similar to the complex processes used to recycle electronics.

*must have electric- or battery-powered (i.e. have cords or batteries)*

• Handheld: $1 – designed to be held in one hand, such as a walkie-talkie, electric toothbrush, blow dryer, curling iron, handheld electric mixer, electric knife, DustBuster, etc. 

• Small: $2 – Up to the size of a standard slow cooker, including a standard coffee maker, coffee grinder, upright blender, food processor, clock radio, small fan, etc.

• Medium: $4 – Up to the size of a standard upright or canister vacuum, including a big plastic room fan, portable swamp cooler, etc.

• Large: $8 – Any other item that weighs more than 13 pounds that could be called a small appliance, such as a a shop vac or carpet steamer. 

• Extra-Large: $0.30/lb. – All other small appliances with plugs or batteries that weigh more than 20 pounds. 

• NO vacuum bags, glass (coffee pots, blenders, etc.), or food or liquid residue 

View an extensive list of the types of small plastic appliances we can recycle at the CHaRM.

Big Durable #2 Plastics

• Large plastics such as Big Wheels® and plastic play structures, plastic lawn furniture, plastic watering cans, laundry baskets, clean plastic buckets (no residue), crates, rigid backyard kiddie pools and plastic trash containers. 

• Must be the size of a five-gallon bucket or larger but must also be less than 4 feet by 4 feet (can be cut to meet these dimensions).

• In some cases, these plastics may not be marked with a #2, so look for them

to be opaque with a matte finish and hollow inside. They are made with a 

mold, so will likely have a seam where two halves were joined.

• Non-plastic parts must be removed, including straps, padding and fabric. Items requiring disassembly will be charged a $5 fee.

• NO flower pots without a #2, inflatable pools or other inflatable plastics, water beds, chew toys, CD jewel cases, small toys such as action figures, etc.

Coroplast Political Yard Signs (corrugated plastic)

• $3 facility fee applies

• metal stands can be recycled as scrap metal at the CHaRM at no extra charge

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Bicycles & Bike Parts

Any Condition 

• Includes integral parts such as seats, pedals, handlebars, wheels, etc. and metal accessories such as baskets and Pannier racks 

• NO other accessories or sporting goods 

Bicycle Tires & Tubes

• $.50 per bike tire

• Puncture-resistant or slime tubes should be kept separately 

• NO automotive or other tires 

Miscellaneous

Books & Manuals

• Computer and Office Manuals

• Hard-Bound Books and Paperbacks

*Call for quantities one pallet and larger 

*There is no fee to drop off books. Learn about our Book Reuse Project

Cooking Oil

• Includes canola, corn, vegetable, olive and sesame oils

• NO motor oil or any oil used for purposes other than cooking.

Textiles

Clothing, Towels, Sheets, Fabrics, Paired Reusable Shoes

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