Since 2008

One truck turned into a Northern Michigan recycling route.

Bay Area Recycling for Community (BARC) is a Traverse City, Michigan-based non-profit company that offers comprehensive recycling services and eco-friendly products for homes, businesses and events.

BARC was started in 2008 with one man, one truck and one revolutionary idea: increase recycling efforts in communities through service, education, and charitable donation. The idea held. BARC keeps reinvesting its profit in the community, and the crew now covers Grand Traverse, Antrim, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Benzie and Manistee counties.

Make BARC your first call. If you are not sure whether something can go, ask at (231) 632-2272 or check the what we recycle list, and read what the 2026-27 price sheet asks for each item.

The fleet today

From one truck to a fleet.

BARC now runs with 20 full-time employees, eight trucks, and dozens of trailers. The fleet also boasts 4 semi trucks and 15 semi-trailers for larger projects.

That equipment serves two facilities: the Traverse City drop-off on US-31 South and the Kaleva plant and resale shop. See the Traverse City location and the Kaleva location for hours and directions.

Mission

What BARC is for

BARC's mission is to inspire an environmentally conscious culture in Northern Michigan and beyond by educating people on the long-term value of recycling and making recycling and green choices simple and accessible to individuals and organizations across the region.

Five values

Educate
Speaking engagements, an all-volunteer Education Committee and behind-the-scenes tours.
Community education
Inspire
The mission in one word: an environmentally conscious culture across Northern Michigan.
What we recycle
Give
Compostables, waste services and fundraising event support for other local nonprofits.
Charitable giving
Connect
Local nonprofits and businesses on one recycling route.
BARC community
Serve
Pickups and drop-offs at the Traverse City and Kaleva facilities.
Schedule a Pickup