CHaRM Added Medical and Vape Recycling Services
The Atlanta recycling center has expanded its collection efforts to include medical equipment and electronic vapes.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy
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CHaRM has launched new recycling services for medical equipment and vapes to reduce landfill waste in Atlanta. These programs partner with specialized organizations to safely process complex components like lithium-ion batteries.
Why it matters
Medical gear is too valuable to discard, and vapes pose fire risks if thrown into standard household trash. These new initiatives ensure hazardous materials are handled by professionals while reusable items find new homes.
Recycling fees for vapes are set at $1 for the first pound, with a $3.50 charge for every additional pound. These services support a facility that has already successfully diverted 700,000 pounds of waste from landfills since 2021.
The players
CHaRM
This is an Atlanta-based recycling facility dedicated to diverting hard-to-recycle items from local landfills.
Live Thrive
This organization oversees the CHaRM recycling center and coordinates community environmental challenges.
FODAC
This non-profit specializes in collecting and refurbishing home medical equipment for people with disabilities.
Novus Solutions LLC
This company provides specialized recycling services for complex electronic components and battery materials.
The details
Live Thrive has partnered with FODAC to collect and refurbish donated medical equipment for community redistribution. Additionally, Novus Solutions LLC will process vapes to recover plastic, aluminum, and lithium-ion battery components.
Timeline
Oct. 1, 2026: Vape recycling pilot program begins at CHaRM.
Oct. 22, 2026: A CHaRM'ing Evening fundraiser takes place.
Nov. 3, 2026: The Corporate + Community Challenge begins.
April 29, 2027: The Corporate + Community Challenge concludes.
Market Landscape
This program aligns with the broader push toward circular economies by managing the complex disposal of lithium-ion batteries. By integrating these services, CHaRM positions itself as a critical hub in the regional effort to address hazardous electronic waste management.
Residents can now dispose of medical equipment or vape devices safely at the DeKalb location. Participants should be prepared to pay small per-pound fees for vape recycling, which helps offset the specialized processing costs.
The takeaway
Properly recycling vapes and medical supplies prevents hazardous batteries from entering the waste stream and gives equipment a second life. Community members should verify specific drop-off requirements before arriving to ensure items are eligible for processing.
What happens next
The Corporate + Community Challenge is scheduled to take place from Nov. 3, 2026, to April 29, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the Philanthropy initiatives supporting sustainability in our local community.
More information
View the full list of accepted medical equipment on the organization's official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rough Draft Atlanta.
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