Regional Compliance Hub: Electronics, Paint & Glass (Appt Required) — Atlanta, GA
This regional hub is designed to keep communities compliant by directing residents to the correct, approved drop-off facility for items that are commonly not allowed in apartment dumpsters or standard recycling streams—especially electronics, paint, batteries, and glass. Atlanta’s premier “hard-to-recycle” facility is CHaRM Atlanta (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials). [1][2]
CHaRM Atlanta: The “Everything” Hub (Electronics + Paint + Glass + More)
The “Everything” Hub: CHaRM is a one-stop drop-off for many items that cannot go in apartment dumpsters and are not consistently handled by private multifamily haulers, including
electronics, paint (latex & oil-based), chemicals, batteries, mattresses, tires, and glass bottles & jars.
[2][3]
Fees: CHaRM publishes item-specific fee rules (many materials are no-fee for residents, while certain categories—like TVs/monitors, chemicals/paint by weight, and mattresses—carry processing fees).
[3]
- Facility: CHaRM Atlanta (Live Thrive)[1]
- Address: 1110 Hill St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315[2]
- Hours: Tue & Thu: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Sat: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM[2]
- Crucial Rule: Appointment required — you must book online before arriving.[2]
- Payment: CHaRM notes no cash; accepted payment methods include card-based and mobile options (see CHaRM visit guidance).[3]
Glass Solution: Bottles & Jars Drop-Off (Sorting Not Required)
The “Glass” Solution: CHaRM accepts food-grade glass bottles & jars and notes that sorting is no longer necessary.
Glass must be rinsed and dried; remove caps/tops and recycle them in the correct stations.
[3]
Why this matters for apartments: Even though Atlanta’s multifamily recycling requirements include glass, some private haulers operationally exclude it or route it inconsistently—so CHaRM is the reliable compliance option when glass is not effectively captured on-site.
[4][5]
Paint + Electronics: Drop-Off With Appointment (Fees May Apply)
Electronics: CHaRM accepts electronics and lists fee rules for certain items (notably TVs/monitors) while many other electronic items are accepted with different fee status.
[3]
Paint: CHaRM accepts latex, oil-based, and aerosol paint, with chemicals/paint weighed together for fee purposes under their published rules.
[3]
Crucial Rights: Atlanta Multifamily Recycling Ordinance (6+ Units)
The Law: ATL311 summarizes Atlanta Ordinance 07-O-1335 as requiring owners of multifamily complexes with six (6) or more living units
to furnish containers for recyclables, including at minimum materials such as glass, plastics, newspapers, and aluminum cans, with minimum capacity rules.
[4]
Your Action: If your building has no recycling bins, escalate to property management and report noncompliance through ATL311.
[4][5]
Bulk Trash: The “Commercial Trap” (Apartments Don’t Get Curbside Bulk Pickup)
The Rule: ATL311 states the City provides single-family residents 12 free scheduled bulk pick-ups per year.
[6]
Apartment Reality: Apartment buildings are typically served as commercial accounts and do not receive single-family curbside bulk pickup.
Action: Do not leave furniture on the curb. Ask your Property Manager if the community has a scheduled “Dumpster Day,” or hire a private hauler.
[6]
Alternative Glass Network: “Purple Bin” Drop-Offs (Ripple Glass)
The Alternative: For a dedicated glass-only solution, Ripple Glass operates public purple bin drop-off locations across the Atlanta metro area and provides a map-based locator to find the closest site.
[7]
Note: Ripple’s Atlanta page also lists CHaRM as one of the glass drop-off locations, reinforcing CHaRM as a practical compliance anchor for glass.
[7]
EEAT Sources: [1] Live Thrive: CHaRM Atlanta (facility overview) | [2] Live Thrive: Book an Appointment (appointment-only rule; CHaRM Atlanta hours; address) | [3] Live Thrive: CHaRM Atlanta Sitemap / Items Accepted (electronics, batteries, paint/chemicals, glass rules; sample fees; no-cash note) | [4] ATL311: Multifamily Buildings Recycling Initiative (Ordinance 07-O-1335; 6+ units; minimum materials incl. glass) | [5] City of Atlanta: Multi-Family Recycling (owner/manager responsibilities; contract requirement; reporting) | [6] ATL311: Bulk Collection Request (12 scheduled bulk pick-ups/year for single-family residents) | [7] Ripple Glass: Atlanta (purple-bin locator and drop-off network; lists CHaRM as a drop-off location)
Atlanta property owners and community managers: simplify recycling compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet recycling service aligns with the City of Atlanta multifamily recycling requirement in City Code § 130-38 (established by Ordinance 07-O-1335) to cut contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey program.
In Atlanta, recycling service is mandatory for multifamily communities with six (6) or more living units. Owners or owners’ associations must furnish commercial containers for recyclables (at minimum the materials in the City’s curbside program) with capacity of not less than three (3) gallons × number of living units. See the full ordinance PDF and city guidance below.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: A visible, compliant recycling amenity supports retention and marketability.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep recycling reduces overflow and contamination at enclosures.
- Code-Aligned Containers: Provide clearly marked recycling containers sized per § 130-38 (≥ 3 gal × units) and co-locate near trash.
- Local Alignment: Compatible with City of Atlanta multifamily guidance and reporting practices (see references).
At a Glance: Atlanta, GA
- Jurisdiction: City of Atlanta (Fulton/DeKalb Counties, Georgia)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling for multifamily dwellings and condo/townhouse associations.
- Applicability Threshold: 6+ living units (apartments, condominiums, townhouses).
- Container Capacity Rule: Minimum total volume of 3 gallons × number of living units.
- Accepted (minimum set): Glass containers, plastics, newspapers, and aluminum cans (plus other materials your hauler supports).
- Reporting/Program Notes: Owners arrange private recycling collection and maintain records/tonnage; see City guidance and audit notes.
- References: City of Atlanta — Multifamily Recycling · Ordinance 07-O-1335 (Full PDF) · ATL311 — Multifamily Recycling · City Audit (June 2025) · Atlanta Code of Ordinances (see § 130-38)
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
While enforcement of §130-38 has been limited historically, the City of Atlanta has authority to issue citations and administrative fines for noncompliance under Chapter 130 (Solid Waste). Based on city code enforcement and general penalty provisions:
- Violation Type: Failure to provide required recycling service or adequate container capacity.
- Penalty Range: Typically $100 – $1,000 per violation, plus possible daily fines until compliance is achieved (per Code § 1-8).
- Corrective Orders: The Public Works Department may issue compliance notices requiring documented correction within a set timeframe.
- Audit Note (2025): The June 2025 City Audit recommended formalizing enforcement and outreach to multifamily property owners to improve compliance.
Always confirm current fine schedules and enforcement procedures with the City’s Department of Public Works or ATL311 before finalizing compliance programs.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (Atlanta § 130-38)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Resources / Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Applicability | Property has 6+ living units (apartments/condos/townhouses) — mandate applies. | City — Multifamily Recycling |
| ☑ Provide Recycling Containers | Furnish commercial containers for recyclables; size at least 3 gal × units. Place adjacent to trash with clear labels for residents. | Ordinance 07-O-1335 PDF · ATL311 Article |
| ☑ Contract Hauler & Service | Arrange private collection for required materials (glass, plastics, newspapers, aluminum cans). Set frequency to prevent overflow for residents. | City Guidance |
| ☑ Education & Signage | Provide move-in packets, bin-side signage, and periodic reminders to residents listing accepted items and reducing contamination. | ATL311 — Program Info |
| ☑ Tonnage Tracking & Records | Maintain hauler invoices, tonnage reports, and internal logs/photos. Provide documentation to the City upon request. | City Audit (context) |
| ☑ Service Right-Sizing & Monitoring | Audit fullness and contamination monthly; adjust container count/pickups; ensure resident access and signage remain clear. | City Guidance |
Atlanta Recycling — Compliance Summary
- ☑ Jurisdiction Type: City of Atlanta
- ☑ Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling for multifamily (City Code § 130-38; Ordinance 07-O-1335)
- ☑ Applicability Threshold: 6+ units (apartments/condos/townhouses)
- ☑ Container Capacity: ≥ 3 gal × number of units; clearly labeled and co-located with trash
- ☑ Accepted Materials (minimum): Glass, plastics, newspapers, aluminum cans
- ☑ Owner Duties: Provide containers, contract a hauler, educate residents, and maintain tonnage records
- ☑ Penalties: Fines typically range from $100–$1,000 per violation under Code § 1-8 if noncompliant
Sources verified: City of Atlanta Multifamily Recycling guidance; City Code § 130-38 (Ordinance 07-O-1335); ATL311 knowledge article; City Recycling Audit (June 2025). Direct ordinance PDF: 07-O-1335.
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