The Charlotte Area Recycling Authority (CARA) is a local drop-off recycling center for residents in and surrounding the Charlotte, Michigan area, located at 201 Hall Street. The Center is funded through donations and the sale of recyclable materials. While recycling is a free service, donations are always welcomed and greatly appreciated.
Brave the cold and join us for our annual Spaghetti Fundraiser Dinner tonight at the Eaton Area Senior Center!
Friday, January 30th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm and support a great cause! All-you-can-eat spaghetti buffet - $15 adults, $10 children, ages 3 & under free! We hope to see you there!
Due to the continued extreme cold, CARA will be CLOSED on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
As a reminder, our policy is to close any time temperatures are at or below 0 degrees — including the windchill. With no heat source on-site, it is unsafe for staff, volunteers, and recyclers to be exposed to frigid temperatures for extended periods. Safety will always be our top priority.
We plan to reopen on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, from 8am to 12pm for all of your recycling needs.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and commitment to safe recycling during this stretch of bitter cold. Stay warm and stay safe.
We are so sorry to share that CARA will be CLOSED again on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 due to the extreme cold. Our area will remain under a Cold Weather Advisory, and temperatures — including windchill — are expected to fall below 0 degrees.
Per our policy, we always close when temperatures are below 0 degrees to protect the safety of our staff, volunteers, and recyclers. Your well‑being will always come first.
We truly appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this causes. We’re hopeful it will warm up enough for us to reopen on Thursday, January 29th.
Please continue to check back for updates as the weather develops. Stay warm and stay safe.
Due to the Extreme Cold Watch in our area, CARA will be closed on Thursday, January 22, 2026, and again on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Temperatures are expected to remain dangerously low, and as many of you know, our site does not have a heat source. Extended exposure in these conditions puts our staff, volunteers, and recyclers at risk, and safety will always be our first priority.
We plan to reopen on Tuesday, January 27 at 8am. We’ll continue monitoring the weather closely and will share any updates if conditions change. Thank you for your understanding, patience, and cooperation as we navigate this stretch of extreme cold together.
Stay safe and stay warm!
Our area is currently under a Winter Weather Advisory, and due to the dangerously cold temperatures, CARA will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
As a reminder, CARA does not have a heat source, and long exposure to extreme cold can be unsafe for our staff, volunteers, and recyclers. For everyone’s safety, our policy is to close whenever temperatures reach 0° or below, including wind chill.
We plan to reopen on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 2pm–6pm, but with the bitter cold expected to continue, we’ll be monitoring conditions closely. We will post an update by Wednesday if another closure becomes necessary.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and commitment to safe recycling during this stretch of severe weather.
Stay warm and stay safe.
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Looking for a part-time job that makes a real impact? The Charlotte Recycling Center is hiring two part-time team members to help keep our community clean and green!
✔ Flexible, part-time hours
✔ Active, hands-on work
✔ Support sustainability right here in Charlotte
If you enjoy working outdoors, helping the public, and being part of something positive, this could be the perfect fit!
📍 Charlotte Recycling Center
📅 Now hiring – apply today!
https://www.charlottemi.gov/234/Current-Employment-Opportunities
