Orange Beach CHaRM Gets $1.5-Million Grant

The Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County has been awarded $1,500,224 in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act funds. The investment will support development of the Orange Beach Center for Hard to Recycle Materials Facility (CHaRM), a project intended to expand recycling access and strengthen sustainability efforts across Baldwin County. Once complete in 2026, the Orange Beach CHaRM, on 1.25 acres at 22510 Russian Road in Gulf Shores, will provide residents and visitors with a centralized, accessible location to properly dispose of recyclable materials, reducing landfill waste and promoting cleaner coastal habitats. It will operate Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon, with no appointment required. Residents will be able to bring aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, cardboard, plastics (types 1-7), mixed paper, small household batteries and light bulbs at no cost. A small handling fee will apply to other items. The facility will be the third of six planned facilities across Baldwin County, following the successful openings of the Fairhope and Magnolia CHaRM locations.