CARA to be OPEN for Labor Day Weekend but CLOSED for Frontier's Day Weekend

 Please note that we will be OPEN Labor Day Weekend (Saturday August 30, 2025) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for all your recycling needs.

*REMINDER that we will be CLOSED for Frontier Days Weekend (Saturday, September 6, 2025).

Keep It Clean. Keep It Sorted. Keep It CARA Strong. ♻️💪

Hey, recycling champions! When you drop off your items, make sure they're: 

✅ CLEAN (no food, dirt, or liquids) 
✅ SORTED (put in the proper bins) 
✅ ACCEPTABLE (check our list if you're unsure!)

Helping out a friend, neighbor, or family member? We love that 💚 — but remember: you're responsible for every item you bring. Treat it like it’s your own!

Why does this matter? 

🕒 Speeds up drop-off 
🚫 Lowers contamination (which keeps recycling REAL) 
👷 Eases the burden on our hardworking staff 
🚮 Means less ends up in our dumpster.

CARA is proud to be known for excellence in recycling — with exceptionally low contamination rates. That means what we send out of CARA is truly getting recycled. And we appreciate all of you help in doing so! Let’s keep up the amazing work together! Thanks for being part of the CARA difference. 💚

🚨 CARA WILL BE CLOSED TODAY 🚨

Due to excessive heat and a county-wide heat advisory, the Charlotte Area Recycling Authority will be CLOSED on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

As a reminder - our extreme weather policy states that we are to close when temps are at or above 100°F (including heat index), which is considered unsafe working conditions. Please know that ensuring the safety of our staff and our recyclers is always our #1 priority.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and encourage everyone to stay safe, cool and hydrated. Please make sure to follow our Facebook page as well as our CARA blog for updates on unplanned closures and other important announcements.

We’ll be back in action with regular hours on Saturday, July 26. Thank you for helping us keep our staff and community safe! 💚♻

👣 Shoes ON, Safety First! 🥾

We LOVE seeing so many folks recycling at CARA — your dedication fuels our community’s sustainability goals and fills our hearts. 💚 

However, we’ve noticed an increase in barefoot recycling… and while going shoeless might feel freeing, it’s not safe here. Our recycling areas and parking lot may contain hidden hazards like glass shards, metal pieces, and other debris. For your protection, we kindly ask that you please wear sturdy shoes at all times while on-site.

Let’s keep CARA safe, smart, and sustainable — from head to toe! 👟

🚗 New Entrance Procedure at CARA! 🚗

 

To improve efficiency and prevent overflow onto the road, the Charlotte Area Recycling Authority (CARA) is introducing a new procedure—we're asking visitors to form two lanes while lining up to enter.

💡 Here’s how it works: ✅ As you approach the entrance, form two lanes instead of one. ✅ Follow the sign and staff directions for a smooth and safe flow. ✅ Be patient and courteous— this is new for everyone and we’re all here to recycle responsibly!

This change will help ease congestion, keep traffic moving, and create a safer experience for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation as we work to make CARA more efficient! ♻️🚙

EARTH DAY FUNDRAISER 💚🍦♻️

 Happy first day of April! Mark your calendars to celebrate Earth Day with us! Visit our amazing Charlotte, MI Dairy Queen on Tuesday April 22nd between 11:30am and 9:00pm, and 10% of all sales will go towards CARA!

💚🍦♻️

We’ve noticed a drop in pop bottle donations- Please consider donating yours the next time you stop in! Pop bottles/returnables are a great way to help CARA! Thank you for considering. 💚

*Please rinse before donating. ☺️♻️