SWDA receives $1.5M to support new CHaRM facility in Orange Beach, Alabama

The Solid Waste Disposal Authority (SWDA) of Baldwin County, Alabama, has been awarded $1.5 million in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funds to support the development of the Orange Beach Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM) Facility . 

According to SWDA, the project will expand recycling access and strengthen sustainability efforts across Baldwin County, with the funding representing a major investment in the county’s waste reduction and environmental stewardship goals. 

Once complete, the Orange Beach CHaRM will provide residents and visitors with an accessible location to properly dispose of recyclable materials, reducing landfill waste and promoting cleaner coastal habitats. 

RELATED: Baldwin County, Alabama, opens $25M recycling facility, RNG plant 

“This investment helps us take another important step toward making recycling more convenient and accessible for everyone in Baldwin County,” SWDA CEO Terri Graham says. “We are grateful for the support from The State of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, GOMESA and our local partners as we continue building a more sustainable future for our communities.” 

Located at 22510 Russian Rd. in Gulf Shores, Alabama, SWDA says the Orange Beach CHaRM is expected to open in early 2026 on a 1.25-acre site.  

Residents will be able to bring aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, cardboard, plastics, mixed paper, small household batteries and light bulbs at no cost. A handling fee, ranging from $2-$5, will apply to residential paint and household hazardous waste, car batteries, propane tanks, fire extinguishers and electronics such as televisions, phones and laptops. 

Items not accepted include tires, mattresses, construction debris, furniture, medical or
biohazardous waste and white goods, such as stoves, washers and dryers. 

“This project is a win-win for Orange Beach and the county,” Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon says. “We're proud to partner with SWDA to bring this robust recycling facility to our community, and we're thankful for the GOMESA funds. This project goes hand-in-hand with the city's common-sense commitment to protecting our coastal environment and making it easier for residents and visitors to recycle responsibly. This is a city-county collaboration at its best.” 

The Orange Beach CHaRM will be the third of six planned facilities across Baldwin County, following the openings of the Fairhope and Magnolia CHaRM locations.  

The new facility will work in coordination with SWDA’s other sustainability initiatives, including the materials recovery facility (MRF) and education facility in Summerdale, Alabama, the curbside recycling program and several recycling drop-off container locations throughout the county.