A new recycling facility set to open in Baldwin County could make Foley's already successful recycling program more cost-effective.

The Baldwin County Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), which will be located at the Magnolia Landfill, is expected to cut costs by eliminating the need for cities like Foley to transport materials to Florida for processing. The facility is slated to open in early 2025.

Currently, Foley and other nearby communities send recyclable materials to the Emerald Coast Utility Authority in Escambia County, Florida. To bridge the gap until the new facility is operational, Foley City Council recently approved an extension of the city's recycling contract with the Florida-based authority. According to Darrell Russell, Foley's public works director, the agreement can be terminated with 30 days' notice, allowing the city flexibility once the Baldwin County facility is ready.

Mike Thompson, Foley city administrator, highlighted the benefits of the new location.

"The location is important because that's going to save us on both labor and fuel for the truck," Thompson said. "Our trucks won't be going nearly as far."

Mayor Ralph Hellmich also expressed enthusiasm for the local facility, noting that Foley residents have a strong participation rate in recycling, at about 65%.

"We're thrilled to death when they get this thing open," Hellmich said.

He added that the city distributes large blue containers for recyclables, which are the same size as standard garbage cans, making collection more efficient. Unlike smaller bins, which require manual loading, these containers can be rolled to the curb and emptied using truck systems.

Foley currently recycles cardboard, paper, plastic and aluminum cans. The Baldwin County facility will process the same materials, but like Foley's current system, it will not accept glass. Hellmich explained that no processing facilities in the region handle glass for recycling, which is why it isn't included in the program.