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A CHaRM, or Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials, is a specialized facility that expands recycling beyond the curb. It provides a convenient option for residents to dispose of common recyclables and items that cannot go in a standard recycling cart.
By separating these materials from regular waste, CHaRMs help reduce environmental impact, prevent contamination, and support a cleaner, safer Baldwin County.
Your one-stop drop-off for items that
don’t belong in your curbside bin.
Bring these items at no charge:
A small handling fee applies to ensure safe, responsible processing of these items:
Mainly bulky or non-recyclable items:
Centers for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRMs) provide a convenient option for recycling beyond the curb. They are ideal for residents who do not have access to curbside recycling, as well as for disposing of items that cannot go in a standard recycling cart.
These materials often require special handling, sorting, or disposal methods that curbside systems are not designed to manage. Items like electronics, household hazardous waste, paint, and other non-traditional recyclables should be taken to a CHaRM.
By using a CHaRM, you help reduce contamination, protect equipment, and ensure more materials are properly recycled or safely disposed of.
Our CHaRM facilities are available to Baldwin County residents looking to properly dispose of hard-to-recycle materials.
Not everything can go in your curbside recycling cart. Items that require special processing or pose safety risks are not accepted and should be taken to a CHaRM or other designated facility.
This includes materials like electronics, batteries, chemicals, paint, plastic bags, and other household waste. Placing these items in your curbside bin can damage equipment, contaminate recyclable materials, and prevent entire loads from being properly recycled.
Items such as paint, electronics, household hazardous waste, car batteries, and tanks require a handling fee. Paint and household hazardous waste are typically $2 per gallon, electronics are $5 per unit, car batteries are $2 each, and tanks are $4 each.
Cash, card, local checks, and money order payments are accepted.
When you arrive, our team will guide you to the appropriate drop-off area and provide instructions for unloading your materials.
In most cases, you will unload your materials, but our staff is available to assist as needed.
Magnolia CHaRM
15101 Terra Bella Drive, Summerdale, AL 36580
Monday – Friday: 7AM to 4PM, Saturday: 7 AM to Noon
Fairhope CHaRM
20609 Bishop Road, Fairhope, AL 36532
Monday – Friday: 10AM to 6PM, Saturday: 7 AM to Noon
Orange Beach CHaRM
22510 Russian Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Monday – Friday: 10AM to 6PM, Saturday: 7 AM to Noon
Each location may vary slightly in services, hours, and capacity, but all are designed to accept hard-to-recycle materials.
Materials are sorted and sent to specialized recycling or disposal partners to ensure they are handled safely and responsibly.
Improper disposal can harm the environment, contaminate recycling streams, and pose safety risks to workers and the community.
We recommend keeping items contained, separated, and easy to unload.
Yes, all liquids and hazardous materials should be sealed and, if possible, clearly labeled.
Please avoid bringing leaking materials. Contact us ahead of time for guidance on how to safely transport them.
You can contact our team directly for guidance before your visit to ensure your materials are accepted and properly prepared.
Want to find the closest CHaRM location to you? Check out our interactive map with custom directions from your house to the CHaRM.
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