Atlanta CHaRM site near Beltline set to relocate
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The facility accepts cardboard, household paint, batteries, plastic, bed frames and more. Photo: Thomas Wheatley/Axios
Atlanta's popular place where you can drop off everything from paint cans to old mattresses will close and relocate to the other side of the city.
Why it matters: Live Thrive plans to close the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials location along the Beltline in Chosewood Park when its lease ends this year — and as nearby properties become prime redevelopment targets.
Yes, but: The nonprofit, which also operates a CHaRM location serving DeKalb County, has partnered with Atlanta Housing to open a new, larger facility in early 2027 at the redeveloped Bowen Homes site near Bankhead.
Catch up quick: Live Thrive was founded in 2010 by Peggy Whitlow Ratcliffe. The nonprofit organized a popular household hazardous waste collection event that year and opened the Chosewood Park CHaRM in 2015.
- The idea popped into Ratcliffe's head after she had trouble finding a place to dispose of lawn sprays and herbicides while clearing out her late father's home.
The nonprofit says the two appointment-only facilities helped divert more than 5.7 million pounds of hard-to-recycle materials from landfills in 2024.
What they're saying: "We are grateful to have called the Hill Street CHaRM location home for the past 11 years," Ratcliffe told Axios in a statement.
- "We look forward to continuing Live Thrive's mission in a new location with a longtime partner and serving the Atlanta community for years to come."
Context: The Chosewood Park location sits on Atlanta Housing property with front-door access to the Southside Trail, which is in the final stages of construction.
- Atlanta Housing recently invited private and nonprofit developers to submit their ideas for the second phase of Englewood Homes near the current CHaRM property.
- The agency's long-term plans call for the CHaRM property to become part of a proposed development called Englewood North, according to an Atlanta Housing RFP.
Zoom out: Construction is underway on the first phase of the Bowen Homes redevelopment in Bankhead. The authority's overall vision includes more than 2,000 residential units and retail.
What's next: An Atlanta Housing spokesperson said the agency has no details to share about the Englewood North development timeline.