Recycling Centers in Athens, GA
Find drop-off recycling locations in Athens, Georgia. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
Athens has 3 recycling centers listed in this directory. Each listing includes the address, phone number, and opening hours where available. Call ahead to confirm accepted materials before making the trip.
Recycling in Athens: A Local Guide
Athens, Georgia offers residents three distinct recycling facilities, each serving a different purpose. The county-run ACC CHaRM Center for Hard to Recycle Materials at 1005 College Ave is the standout option for anything that can't go curbside — from paint cans and old electronics to propane tanks and plastic bags. Athens-Clarke County residents pay just $5 per trip; non-county residents pay $8. CHaRM is open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings plus Wednesday afternoons, so there are multiple windows each week to drop items off without an appointment.
For scrap metal, Athens has two buyers operating independently. CMC Recycling at 590 Old Hull Rd is part of the national Commercial Metals Company network and pays cash (by check) for copper, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, lead, and ferrous scrap. A state-issued photo ID is required; the yard is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 3:30 PM, and closed on weekends. Across town on the northeast side, Athens Recycling Corporation at 9740 Commerce Rd specializes in radiators alongside copper, brass, and aluminum, with the added convenience of Saturday morning hours (8 AM–Noon). Neither scrap yard accepts plastics, glass, or household recyclables — those go to ACC's curbside program or the county recycling drop-off sites.
Athens-Clarke County also operates free mixed-recycling drop-off sites across the city (accepting plastics #1–7, metal cans, glass, cardboard, and paper) and a full recycling facility at 699 Hancock Industrial Way. For household hazardous waste events and additional e-waste programs, check the ACC Solid Waste website or call (706) 613-3501. Nearby cities with additional options include Gainesville, Augusta, and Winder. For a full list of Georgia recycling centers, visit the Georgia recycling directory.
All Recycling Centers in Athens
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Athens
Where can I drop off old electronics and paint in Athens, GA?
The ACC CHaRM center at 1005 College Ave accepts TVs, computers, monitors, paint (latex and oil-based), batteries, fluorescent bulbs, Styrofoam, and dozens of other hard-to-recycle items. Athens-Clarke County residents pay $5 per trip; non-residents pay $8. No appointment needed for residential drop-offs.
Does CHaRM accept alkaline batteries like AA and AAA?
No. Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) and car batteries are not accepted at CHaRM. However, specialty and rechargeable batteries have been accepted free of charge since February 2025.
Which Athens recycling centers are open on Saturdays?
ACC CHaRM is open Saturday 7 AM–1 PM. Athens Recycling Corporation on Commerce Rd is open Saturday 8 AM–Noon for scrap metal. CMC Recycling on Old Hull Rd is closed on Saturdays.
Can Athens residents recycle plastic bags and film plastic?
Yes — but only through ACC CHaRM, not curbside or at the standard drop-off sites. Plastic film bags and grocery bags jam sorting equipment and are excluded from ACC's mixed-recycling program. Bring them to CHaRM (included in the $5 trip fee for county residents).