As another year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what we’ve accomplished together. From electronic waste collections to zero-waste events and recycling initiatives, 2025 was another year full of growth, partnership, and community impact!
Thanks to your continued support, we’ve been able to expand our reach, keep more materials out of Michigan landfills, and give new life to countless items that would otherwise go to waste. Let’s take a look at what we did this year at BARC.
Leelanau E-Waste Collection Days
In 2025, BARC hosted eight countywide Electronic Waste Collection Days, offered completely free to Leelanau residents. These events gave households a safe, convenient way to recycle old computers, TVs, batteries, and other electronics that are often difficult—or hazardous—to throw away.
On average, each event brought in about 6,000 pounds of electronic waste. Across all eight events in 2025, that adds up to 48,000 pounds or 24 tons of e-waste collected and responsibly recycled. To put that in perspective, 24 tons is roughly the weight of four adult elephants!
Each item collected is carefully sorted, dismantled, and processed to recover valuable materials and keep toxic components out of our landfills, waterways, and air. It’s a tangible example of how our community works together to protect the natural resources that define Northern Michigan. We look forward to doing these events again next year. Sign up for our newsletter for updates and 2026 dates.
BARC Resale Shop
Our BARC Resale Shop in Kaleva continues to thrive as a cornerstone of local reuse. Anything that you recycle with BARC that could still be used is sent to Kaleva. Things like gently used furniture, appliances, and home goods find new homes rather than ending up in landfills, while proceeds from the shop help fund recycling programs and zero-waste efforts across the region. It’s such a wonderful way to give things new homes in a world that is always looking for the next best thing.
Zero Waste Events
In 2025, BARC partnered with community fundraisers, summer festivals, and private events across Northern Michigan to bring zero-waste practices to life. By providing our recycling services, we helped these events minimize landfill impact while educating attendees on sustainable habits.
We also supplied compostable serviceware and products, ensuring that everything from plates and cups to utensils could be safely composted after use. These small but meaningful choices demonstrate how thoughtful event planning can make a big collective difference for our environment. Each event was an opportunity to show that sustainability is doable, practical, and impactful. Here are a few examples!
Zero Waste Events Spotlights
We also do private events – including weddings, conferences, and other celebrations. By combining education, infrastructure, and compostable products, BARC made sustainability tangible and achievable for attendees, event organizers, and the broader community alike.
De/Re Construction
Our De/Re Construction program helped salvage usable materials from remodeling and demolition projects, giving lumber, fixtures, and hardware a second life. As more contractors and homeowners look for environmentally responsible alternatives to traditional construction waste disposal, this program continues to grow—and for good reason. Traditional demolition sends huge amounts of reusable material to the landfill, while De/Re keeps those resources in circulation and reduces environmental impact. Recycling a single 1,200 sq. ft. home can divert 100,000 pounds of waste which is the equivalent of one person’s lifetime trash!
One of this year’s standout projects was the careful deconstruction and relocation of a Northport cabin built from recycled materials. The structure was dismantled, transported, and reassembled in Empire, showcasing how De/Re not only diverts waste, but preserves local character and supports sustainable building practices across Northern Michigan!
Shrink Wrap Recycling
Every spring, thousands of boats in Michigan are unwrapped and that shrink wrap needs a proper home. Through Recycle Run, in partnership with Dr. Shrink, Inc. and the Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC), BARC helps boaters recycle used shrink wrap responsibly, keeping plastic out of landfills and waterways!
Household Hazardous Waste & Scrap Tire
n 2025, BARC hosted HHW collection events across Manistee, Charlevoix, Leelanau, and beyond, providing residents a safe way to dispose of paint, batteries, and other hazardous materials—keeping harmful substances out of landfills and waterways.
We also did scrap tire recycling events as well. Our Tire Recycling Days, in partnership with the Manistee Conservation District, collected and recycled countless old tires, diverting them from landfills and giving them a second life.
Giving Back Through Recycling
Every home recycled, mattress repurposed, zero waste event thrown, and TV diverted from a landfill makes a difference, not just for the environment, but for the community we share. At BARC, recycling is about connection, education, and sustainability for future generations.
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to support BARC’s mission to make Northern Michigan cleaner and greener. Your donations help us host free recycling events, invest in new recycling infrastructure, and continue providing services that make a real impact in our community.
Donate today and be part of the change. Together, we can keep Northern Michigan beautiful!