Check Out 2024 Pricing Updates
BARC ServicesEventsFriend RaiserFun FactsFund RaiserGood to KnowGreat IdeasIn the NewsKaleva

Recycling vs. Upcycling: What’s the Difference?

October 30, 2024 // BARC Services, Good to Know, Great Ideas

Recycling vs. Upcycling: What’s the Difference? Most of us know the drill with recycling—sort the bottles, cans, and paper into the blue bin and feel good about doing our part. But upcycling? That’s a whole different ball game of getting creative with waste reduction. Think of it as recycling with a creative twist, turning old […]

Read Article


farmers market

Planting Green Ideas: Sustainable Eating

May 2, 2024 // Events, Good to Know

Sustainable Eating Tips We all know that food is fuel, but it is also one of the easiest ways to minimize your environmental impact. As it warms up here in Northern Michigan, it’s the perfect time to embrace sustainable eating by visiting local farmers’ markets, shopping for in-season produce, and eating from your garden. In […]

Read Article


BARC’s Holiday Season Sustainability Guide

December 5, 2023 // Fun Facts, Good to Know, Great Ideas

BARC’s Holiday Sustainability Guide December is an incredible time of year, with all the magic in the air and holiday cheer. It can be easy to get caught up in the fun of it all and forget about the holiday season’s negative impact on our environment. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, more than one million […]

Read Article


responsibly upgrade with barc

Responsibly Upgrade with BARC this Holiday Season

November 3, 2023 // BARC Services, Good to Know

Responsibly Upgrade with BARC this Holiday Season As the 2023 holiday season approaches, with Black Friday deals and the anticipation of holiday gifts, it’s a perfect time to consider your recycling strategy for the year. Often, in the excitement of acquiring new electronic devices, people tend to overlook what to do with their old gadgets […]

Read Article


RECYCLING graphic

BARC FAQ: Questions About Recycling

September 6, 2023 // Fun Facts, Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions About Recycling Becoming a recycling pro is a process, especially since there are many ways to recycle things you no longer need or want. Luckily, we’ve answered many of the same questions over the years and have decided to make a handy guide for all our recycling enthusiasts. Whether you’ve recycled your […]

Read Article


plastic free july graphic

Have A Plastic-Free July: Eco-Friendly Tips With BARC

July 1, 2023 // Good to Know, Great Ideas

Become a Part of the Plastic Pollution Solution Plastic has become a huge part of everyday life, and if you look around, chances are you can spot at least one item made of plastic in your immediate surroundings. In fact, 9.1 billion tons of plastic have been produced since plastic was introduced in the 1950s. […]

Read Article


earth day blog banner

How to Celebrate Earth Day: 10 Ways to Give Back to the Planet

April 1, 2023 // Events, Fund Raiser, Good to Know, Great Ideas

How to Celebrate Earth Day with BARC BARC has been working toward diverting precious resources from landfills all over Michigan for the past 15 years, and we look forward to continuing our conservation efforts with the help of our wonderful supporters. Although we give back to the planet 365 days a year, it’s always fun […]

Read Article


blue banner with abstract letters

BARC now has a NEW Name: Bay Area Recycling for Community

February 8, 2023 // Good to Know

From Charities to Community? Why the name change, BARC? When Andy Gale founded Bay Area Recycling for Charities (BARC) in 2008, he envisioned a recycling business model that would generate enough surplus revenue to consistently donate back to other local “charities” or nonprofits. His heart has always been in the right place, but the consistent […]

Read Article


a year in review 2022

A Year in Review: 2022 with BARC

January 11, 2023 // BARC Services, Fun Facts, Good to Know

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 Article


electronic recycling feature image for november blog

Electronic Recycling 101: Anything With a Cord

November 2, 2022 // BARC Services, Good to Know

Electronic Recycling 101 Guide As everyone gears up for holiday gift giving and especially Black Friday sales on technology, it’s a great time to think about how to recycle old electronics like TVs, game consoles, or laptops. Every year, approximately 40 million tons of electronic waste are generated worldwide. To put it in perspective, that […]

Read Article


how to shop sustainably back to school

How to Shop Sustainably For an Eco-Friendly School Year

August 4, 2022 // Good to Know, Kaleva

As summer break winds down and the new school year fast approaches, preparing to return to school can be a chore. No one wants to think about that long list of supplies their teachers gave them while trying to soak up the last days of the summer. Unfortunately, that is why most students rush through […]

Read Article


BARC is experiencing staffing issues due to covid outbreak

BARC is experiencing staffing issues due to covid outbreak

May 13, 2022 // Good to Know

BARC is currently experiencing a Covid outbreak among our staff members.  Therefore we are not fully operational at this time.  We are temporarily suspending our composting service due to staffing issues.  We are still available for recycling dropoff.  If you do stop by, please take every precaution required for your personal safety.  Please bear with […]

Read Article