Residents will soon see a fresh look on the city’s recycling trucks as Foley continues efforts to keep materials out of landfills.

The new design, selected from several created by the city, features a blue background with the slogan “Simple Act Big Impact” and a white arrow triangle, reinforcing the importance of recycling.

Foley’s recycling program, which serves locations across the city on a weekly basis, boasts a participation rate of more than 60%. The city collects cardboard, paper, plastic and aluminum but does not accept glass due to a lack of regional processing facilities.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the city’s recycling efforts reduce landfill waste and cut disposal costs.

"With the opening of the authority’s MRF, we hope to increase our recycling program,” Hellmich said. “Right now, our participation rate is better than 60%.”

In January, Foley delivered its first truckload of recyclables to Baldwin County’s new $25-million Materials Recovery Facility. The 60,000-square-foot facility, operated by the Baldwin County Solid Waste Authority, is next to the Magnolia Landfill and includes a 7,000-square-foot education center where students can learn about recycling.

The new center allows Foley and other Baldwin County municipalities to recycle at a more economical rate. Before its opening, trucks had to transport recyclables to Escambia County, Florida. The facility reduces transportation costs and offers lower processing fees per ton than sites used in the past.

More information about Foley’s recycling services is available at https://cityoffoley.org/sanitation/.