The nonprofit Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) is now accepting medical equipment and will begin accepting vapes on Oct. 1.
Live Thrive has launched a new partnership with Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) to help give medical equipment a second life. Traditionally difficult to recycle, sell or donate (but too important to put in a landfill), equipment like shower chairs, wheelchairs, walkers, children’s adaptive equipment and more can now be dropped off at CHaRM DeKalb.
FODAC will collect these items, refurbish and sanitize them, then redistribute them to people who need them. A full list of home medical equipment accepted at CHaRM DeKalb is available at livethrive.org/charm/items-we-accept/.
Disposing of vapes has presented a significant challenge due to their plastic or aluminum casings and lithium-ion batteries. Because of these components, vapes cannot be disposed of in household trash or traditional recycling bins.
Live Thrive is launching a pilot program on Oct. 1 in partnership with Novus Solutions LLC, which provides safe, environmentally responsible vape recycling services.
For CHaRM visitors, the recycling fee is $1 per vape for quantities totaling up to 1 pound. Vape drop-offs weighing more than 1 pound will be charged $3.50 per pound.
Live Thrive’s annual Corporate + Community Challenge kicks off in November and runs for six months as participating corporations, community organizations and civic groups benefit from educational outreach, recycling and materials collections and drop-offs, and access to long-term sustainability resources.
Live Thrive is currently accepting sign-ups and inquiries from corporations, companies and community organizations with metro-Atlanta headquarters or offices to take part in this sixth edition of the program, which was significantly expanded last year.
The Corporate + Community Challenge runs Nov. 3, 2026, to April 29, 2027. Since the program’s inception in 2021, Challenge participants have collectively diverted more than 700,000 pounds of materials from Atlanta’s water system and landfills.
More information is available at livethrive.org/charm-corporate-challenge/.
A CHaRM’ing Evening, coming up Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Stave Room, is Live Thrive’s annual fundraiser in support of its educational programs and CHaRM operational expenses. I
n addition to a mellow and iconic Yacht Rock Revue performance, guests at A CHaRM’ing Evening get the chance to participate in the “dress in your favorite decade” costume contest while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and cocktails. Individual tickets and tables are now available at livethrive.org/a-charming-evening/.
