ORANGE BEACH — The Solid Waste Disposal Authority (SWDA) of Baldwin County has opened its third and largest Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials, or CHaRM, expanding recycling access for residents while increasing the county's capacity to divert waste from landfills.

The Orange Beach facility, which sits on 1.25 acres and includes 47,538 square feet of space, is the third CHaRM location established by the authority since August 2025. It joins existing facilities in Fairhope and Summerdale as part of the authority's effort to expand recycling services across Baldwin County.

According to SWDA, its existing CHaRM facilities have served 19,369 customers and manually collected and processed 26,205 hard-to-recycle items.

"As Baldwin County continues to grow, we must continue investing in infrastructure that supports both our residents and our environment," SWDA Chief Executive Officer Terri Graham said. "The Orange Beach CHaRM makes recycling more accessible, keeps reusable materials in circulation and protects the natural assets that make our community such a special place to live. It represents another important step in our long-term commitment to sustainability and responsible waste management."

The new facility accepts materials that are not typically collected through curbside recycling programs, including glass, electronics, batteries, paint, household hazardous waste and common household recyclables for residents who do not have curbside recycling service.

Construction of the facility was partially funded by a $1.5 million grant through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, or GoMESA. According to SWDA, the funding supports efforts to expand the county's recycling network while helping protect coastal waterways, wildlife habitats and other natural resources.

"GoMESA funding allows us to invest revenues generated from offshore energy production back into projects that protect and enhance Alabama's coastal communities," Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. "The Orange Beach CHaRM is a perfect example of that investment at work. By expanding access to responsible recycling and disposal services, this facility will help protect our coastal waterways, wildlife habitats and the natural resources that are so important to Baldwin County's quality of life and economy."

Orange Beach Director of Coastal Resources Phillip West said the facility provides another opportunity for the community to support local conservation efforts.

"This facility gives residents and visitors another way to help keep our beaches, waterways and neighborhoods clean," West said. "We are proud to partner with SWDA on a project that benefits our community while supporting broader sustainability efforts throughout Baldwin County."

The Orange Beach CHaRM is part of SWDA's broader initiative to modernize Baldwin County's recycling and waste management infrastructure as the county's population continues to grow. The authority said expanding recycling and responsible disposal options will help preserve landfill capacity while supporting long-term environmental sustainability.

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today.