About Us
MissionOur 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.
Our vision is to create a more environmentally conscious, service-minded, connected community. We strive to achieve our vision by committing to making responsible waste management the easy, convenient choice and by continually reinvesting our profit in our community and adhering to our core values: educate, inspire, give, connect, and serve.
Bay Area Recycling for Charities (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.
We now have 20 full-time employees, eight trucks, and dozens of trailers to help manage our local recycling efforts. Our fleet also boasts 4 semi trucks and 15 semi-trailers for larger projects. In addition to all this wonderful growth, we are proud to report that on average we give over $25,000 worth of in-kind good and services–including compostables, waste services, and fundraising event support–to other local nonprofits.
In 2022, our dedicated team of passionate recycling enthusiasts embarked on a mission to divert dangerous and potentially valuable materials from landfills. Although it is hard work in an ever-changing landscape, we never shy away from a challenge. BARC is always determined to find a solution for every hard-to-recycle item by working together to make […] Read Full Article ⟩
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gifts for your friends and family, festive holiday parties, and a list of realistic resolutions for the new year. Unfortunately, although this is the merriest time of the year, the environmental impact of the holiday season is not so merry. […] Read Full Article ⟩
Here in Michigan, summer means boating on the great lakes, having backyard BBQs with friends, soaking up the sun in a beach chair, or enjoying a picnic at a breathtaking state park. However, these super fun summer activities can take a toll on the planet by adding unnecessary pollution and waste to the ecosystem. With large crowds heading to our beaches, lakes, and parks this time of year, it is a great time to learn how to have a sustainable summer. Below, we will provide BARC’s top eco-friendly tips and swaps so you can make your summer more sustainable! Read Full Article ⟩
We usually start by deconstructing items destined for the landfill into their material components that can be used to manufacture new goods in downstream markets. If you have ever wondered what happens to the things you recycle at BARC, this blog will go into detail on how we process specific items! Read Full Article ⟩
When looking for a second location to grow our mission inspiring an environmentally conscious culture in Northern Michigan, the charming town of Kaleva stood out to the BARC team. In this blog, we are going to discuss all the reasons we love our community here in Kaleva and talk about our new role as Manistee County Recycling Program Manager! Read Full Article ⟩
Looking Back On 2021 Looking back on this year, BARC has been working hard to make sure recyclable materials are kept out of landfills. BARC is a great resource for home and business recycling. We also offer other recycling services, from electronics to mattress and refrigerator/freezer recycling, to more out-of-the-box services like deconstruction, composting, and […] Read Full Article ⟩
Tis the season! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the BARC family! This season at a glance is already shaping up to be very different versus years past. Today we are going to put a spotlight on the importance of repurpose shopping for the holidays. Christmas and Holiday shopping is […] Read Full Article ⟩
BARC’s Monthly Goals This month we are focusing on “Leaving No Trace”. With summer activities planned and adventuring outdoors in the beautiful weather, BARC wants to equipped our readers to be conscientious of our surroundings and treat the Earth well. We have lots of resources available to allow all of us to make a change […] Read Full Article ⟩
