- paperboard
- newspaper
- junk mail
- office paper
- shredded paper
- cardboard
- pizza boxes
Sorted at the door
What we recycle, sorted the way our bins sort it.
Nearly 100% of what you throw away can be recycled and Bay Area Recycling for Community accepts almost anything. Make BARC your first call; if we can't recycle it we'll do our best to find someone who can.
Pro tip: Please make sure your recycling is clean from any food waste.
Everything below falls into one of three streams. Drop it off in Traverse City or Kaleva, or book a pickup, and check the 2026-27 price sheet for anything that carries a fee.
The sorting line
Three streams, one first call.
The streams are not the same size, and neither are the jobs. Paper is the lightest lift. The miscellaneous stream is where the mattresses, TVs and freon units live.
- redemption-value plastic bottles
- #1 to #7 plastics
- Tetra pack (juice box, ice cream containers)
- redemption-value metal cans
- aluminum foil
- tin steel cans
- non-steel metals
- metal construction waste
- ink cartridges
- tires
- mattresses & box springs
- eWaste (computers, printers, keyboards, cords, small appliances)
- TVs & monitors
- refrigerators & freezers
- large appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers)
- fluorescent light bulbs & tubes
- car & household batteries
- construction & demolition waste (wood, drywall, metal scraps)
- shrink wrap (boats and seasonal covers)
Not e-waste
Cold units take a different door.
Refrigerators, freezers and A/C units are not e-waste. The freon inside has to be evacuated by a certified facility, so they go through refrigerator recycling instead. Dehumidifiers and mini fridges follow the same route.
Everything else with a cord or a battery is e-waste, and it stays on the electronics line. BARC processes it in partnership with HIPAA-certified eRecycle TC, and you can drop it at either facility. See Electronics Recycling for the details, and the price sheet for what each item costs.
Not sure which stream something belongs in? Call and describe it. If we can't recycle it we'll do our best to find someone who can.
Where it goes
Bring it to the door that is open.
The Traverse City drop-off at 466 US-31 South is open Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, 9 AM to 3 PM, effective June 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026. We cannot accept any drop-offs when we are closed. Call to confirm winter hours.
The Kaleva facility at 14407 Industrial Dr., Kaleva, MI 49645 is open Wednesday to Friday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Special pickups are generally scheduled each Monday.
Call (231) 632-2272Schedule a Pickup
Kaleva: 231-492-6138. Pickup fee and item prices are on the 2026-27 sheet.