Recycling Resources

TIPS & TRICKS

Everything you need to get started, stay informed, and make the most of recycling in Baldwin County. Explore recycling guidelines, accepted materials, collection information, educational resources, and helpful tips designed to make recycling easier for residents and businesses alike.

Curbside Recycling Guidelines

ACCEPTED ITEMS

WHAT TO RECYCLE CURBSIDE

Items accepted in your curbside bin.

Mixed Paper

(PAPER, CEREAL BOXES, SODA BOXES)

Paper

(Newspapers, Magazines, Mail, Office Paper)

Plastics #1-#7

(Bottles, Containers, Milk Jugs, 2-Liters)

Tin and Steel Cans

Aluminum Cans and Lids

These materials are collected and processed at our Materials Recovery Facility to be sorted and prepared for reuse.

WHAT NOT TO RECYCLE CURBSIDE

Do not place these items in your cart.

Wax-Coated Cartons

(MILK, JUICE, ICE CREAM CARTONS)

Plastic Bags

(including grocery bags)

Styrofoam

Tarps or Plastic Sheeting

Glass

Aerosol Cans

Household Garbage Or Yard Waste

Garden Hoses

Window Blinds

Bedding or Linens

Carpet or Rugs

Construction Materials

Car Parts

Ammunition

Food Waste

These items can damage equipment or contaminate recyclable materials. Many of these items can be taken to CHaRM facilities for proper handling.

QUICK TIPS

WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT.

Contamination can impact the entire recycling process and reduce the effectiveness of our progress.

SKIP THE BAG.

Do not bag your items. Bagged recyclables can’t be sorted properly and may end up in the landfill.

TAKE IT TO THE CHaRM

Everyday recyclables and hard-to-recycle materials can be handled safely at one of our 3 CHaRM locations.

Learn More

CART GUIDELINES

To ensure safe and efficient collection, please follow these guidelines:

Place your cart at the curb by 6 AM on your scheduled pickup day
Keep the cart at least 3 feet away from other objects (mailboxes, vehicles, etc.)
Make sure materials are loose in the cart (no bagged recyclables)
Do not overfill the cart; the lid should close completely
Only include accepted materials to avoid contamination

Following these guidelines helps ensure your recycling is collected and processed properly.

DID YOU KNOW?

Alabama is home to one of the largest paper and cardboard recycling industries in the Southeast, helping turn everyday materials into new products used across the country.

Recycling aluminum saves up to 95% of the energy needed to make new aluminum, and your soda can could be back on the shelf in as little as 60 days.

Many materials collected in Alabama are processed locally or regionally, supporting jobs and keeping valuable resources moving through the economy instead of being buried in landfills.

In 2020, Baldwin County SWDA landfills collected approximately 4.5 million cubic yards of debris from Hurricane Sally, highlighting the critical role waste management plays in disaster recovery.

Alabama’s recycling rate is around 16% total waste diversion, compared to the national average of approximately 34 to 35%, showing there is significant opportunity for growth.

Each year, more than 700,000 tons of potentially recyclable material are sent to landfills in Alabama.

Alabama also serves as a major hub for industrial recycling, with companies like KW Plastics in Troy, the world’s largest plastics recycler of 2s and 5s.

Check Service Availability

Not sure if curbside recycling is available in your area? Search your address to view available services and options near you.