The Solid Waste Disposal Authority (SWDA) of Baldwin County in partnership with the City of Daphne has launched a new curbside recycling program for residents in the area.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to expand recycling access countywide while also giving residents a new way to help become a cleaner, more sustainable community. Residents of Daphne can sign up for curbside recycling, where they can recycle various items made of materials such as paper, plastic and aluminum. According to SWDA in a press release, over 450 houses in Daphne are participating in the new service, with the first wave of new recycling carts being delivered.

"This program is about giving our residents the tools to make a real difference," Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune said in a statement. "By providing curbside recycling and supporting expanded facilities, we're investing in a cleaner, more sustainable future for our city and all of Baldwin County."

Residents can sign up at any time for $10 per month, which covers the cost of hauling, sorting and processing recyclable materials. Daphne residents are given the option to be billed monthly, quarterly or annually.

As part of a countywide new initiative, SWDA is also preparing for the opening of the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), located on Bishop Road in Fairhope. This new facility will accept items that are not suitable for curbside bins, including electronics, glass, batteries, lightbulbs and household hazardous waste. The SDWA said they also plan to expand their recycling program across Baldwin County in the near future.

"Recycling isn't free — hauling, sorting and processing have real costs," said Terri Graham, CEO of SWDA. "The new recycling program is optional and a great way to make a difference. With the opening of our new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) earlier this year and the upcoming launch of Alabama's first CHaRM facility in Fairhope, we are building the infrastructure needed to significantly reduce landfill waste and give Baldwin County residents more sustainable options."

Daphne residents can visit the program's website at www.baldwinrecycles.org to sign up for the new curbside recycling program.