听The Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County, in partnership with the Baldwin County Commission, has earned a 2025 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award. NACo Achievement Awards recognize outstanding county government programs and services. One of only four Alabama counties recognized in 2025, this award recognizes the Baldwin County Commission for its achievement in the category of Community and Economic Development for its recycling and waste鈥憆eduction initiatives.听
Center stage in the award is Baldwin County鈥檚 new $25 million, 62,000鈥憇quare鈥慺oot Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Designed to process up to 40,000 tons of recyclables each year, the MRF keeps valuable materials out of landfills, supplies clean feedstock to regional manufacturers, and positions Baldwin County as a sustainability and economic development leader.听
鈥淭his recognition underscores the vision and hard work our team鈥攁nd our partners at the County鈥攈ave invested over the past several years,鈥� said Terri Graham, chief executive officer of SWDA. 鈥淭he MRF is more than a building; it鈥檚 a catalyst for a true circular economy on the Gulf Coast鈥攚here materials are reused, jobs are created and our communities benefit long term.鈥�听
Planned five years ago to modernize Baldwin County鈥檚 recycling, the new MRF is already delivering environmental and economic benefits鈥� creating partnerships and collaboration opportunities from companies like Novelis鈥攁nd includes the Waste & Recycling Adventure Center, where interactive exhibits teach visitors how recycling works and why conserving resources matters.听
鈥淭his award highlights what collaboration can do for our residents and our future,鈥� said Commissioner Billie Jo Underwood. 鈥淏y working alongside SWDA, we鈥檙e reducing landfill dependence, protecting our natural resources and attracting companies that value sustainable operations.鈥�听
While the MRF anchors the initiative, SWDA and the County are also expanding options for materials that don鈥檛 belong in curbside carts. The development of CHaRM (Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials) sites will provide safe drop-off points for electronics, batteries, paint and other household items that require special handling, further broadening access to responsible disposal.听
Baldwin County leaders say the work isn鈥檛 finished. SWDA and the Commission will continue coordinating infrastructure, education and outreach to balance growth, safeguard natural assets and create new opportunities for residents.听