The Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County, Alabama, Inc. opened its new $25 million, 62,000-square-foot advanced Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and commissioned its renewable natural gas (RNG) plant. Local, state, and federal elected officials gathered today to celebrate this historic occasion at the facility, located at 15480 Terra Bella Drive, Summerdale, AL. Following the ribbon cutting, guests toured the MRF, RNG plant, and the education center.听
鈥淭he state of Alabama has been a proud partner in making this project a reality. By processing and supplying high-quality recyclable materials, we are keeping resources and business here in Alabama,鈥� said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, in a video message released during the event. 鈥淏aldwin County is one of Alabama鈥檚 fastest-growing areas attracting more and more tourists each year, and this project means more good-paying jobs, more economic growth, and a forward-thinking solution to keeping this region beautiful!鈥�听
First established in 1996 as the county commission鈥檚 solid waste department, SWDA of Baldwin County manages waste and recycling services throughout Baldwin County and serves 55,000 households with weekly garbage collection and 24 recycling drop-off locations. Using an integrated approach to managing waste and recycling, SWDA processes more than 7,600 tons of waste each week at the county鈥檚 Municipal Solid Waste Landfill, Magnolia Landfill; two construction & demolition landfills, and a transfer station. The Materials Recovery Facility, gas plant, education center, and six future CHaRMs (Centers for Hard-to-Recycle Materials) allow the Authority to expand its services into new areas and markets.听
鈥淭he Baldwin County Commission鈥檚 forward-thinking, modernized approach to recovering, reducing, and reusing waste demonstrates our commitment to the long-term sustainability of our community and this entire region. Achieving sustainability at each step of the process is a collaborative effort, and we are especially proud to celebrate our partners who helped make this dream a reality,鈥� said Terri Graham, CEO of SWDA of Baldwin County. 鈥淭hrough this investment, we will be a driver to enhance and grow recycling not only in Baldwin County and our 14 participating municipalities but also in Mobile, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Escambia, and Conecuh counties serving as a regional hub in southern Alabama.鈥�听
To bring the vision to life, local, state, and federal entities, both public and private, partners include:听
鈼� Founding Partner: Baldwin County Commission听
鈼� Municipal Charter Partner: City of Bay Minette听
鈼� Construction and Design Partners: Banks Compton, Green Machine LLC, LaBella Associates, Persons Services Corp. and Whirlwind Creative听
鈼� Funding Partners: Baldwin County Commission, ADECA, ADEM, Glass Recycling Foundation and The Recycling Partnership听
鈼� Energy Partners: Riviera Utilities, Viridi Energy and ADECA听
鈼� Industry and Business Partners: Baldwin County Commission, Baldwin County Sewer Service, Ecovery, Indorama, International Paper, KW Plastics, Midland Davis Corporation, Novelis, Pratt Industries, SA Recycling and Sibelco听
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said, 鈥淭his is a true gem for Baldwin County and our entire state. This facility is the first of its kind in the state, and it will be instrumental in conserving natural resources, reducing waste and pollution, and promoting a circular economy that will keep materials in use longer and be reused by numerous manufacturers throughout Alabama and the Southeast.鈥�听
Based on data from the county鈥檚 Solid Waste Management Plan and the U.S. Census, the impact of cans the Authority will collect from the Southwest region 鈥� including Baldwin, Mobile, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Escambia and Conecuh counties 鈥� is significant with the potential to collect more than 117.4 million aluminum cans each year, which is more than 3.6 million pounds (1,834.6 tons).听
鈥淭oday is a day to celebrate Baldwin County鈥檚 investment in ourselves and current and future generations of this beautiful county,鈥� said Matt McKenzie, chairman of the Baldwin County Commission. 鈥淭his facility will create a lasting impact for our region, serve and educate the community and change the conversation about waste management.鈥�听
The MRF is a 60,000-square-foot facility that will process up to 40,000 tons of recyclables annually. With advanced sorting technology, it separates plastics, paper, metals, and cardboard to be baled and sold to recycling markets.听
Graham added, 鈥淲hen we first began discussing the idea of countywide recycling services with the Commission, we knew strong partnerships were critical to achieving the innovation, sustainability, and scale needed to serve the people of Baldwin County. 鈥淭oday, the people of this county can be proud of the Authority鈥檚 leadership and collaboration that led to this beautiful facility and a more sustainable future for our community.鈥�听
The 7,000-square-foot Waste & Recycling Adventure Center will provide a hands-on learning experience for students and visitors of all ages. Visitors can explore recycling through interactive games, a sorting challenge, exhibits explaining the recycling process for various waste, and learn how landfill gas becomes energy. Comprised of 20 stations on two floors with an overlook of the MRF in operation, tours can be scheduled for a wide range of ages, school groups and interests.听
鈥淭he educational portion of this facility is fantastic and positions us to lead the way for recycling education and as a resource for recycled materials,鈥� said Baldwin County Commissioner Billie Jo Underwood. 鈥淭he Waste & Recycling Adventure Center is designed for not only school children to come in and learn, but also adults to gain understanding of waste recycling. Seeing the heart of the MRF – the Green Machine – in action offers a real-time experience of how recycling works.鈥�听
Constructed by Viridi Energy, the RNG plant is adjacent to Magnolia Landfill and will capture and clean methane gases emitted from the landfill and convert them into natural gas. The 鈥渞enewed鈥� natural gas will then be piped through a 2-mile pipeline to Riviera Utilities to fuel Baldwin County. The gas-to-energy plant will produce more than 1 million BTUs of natural gas annually, enough energy to heat more than 2,500 homes.听
鈥淲e recognize the immense potential of developing community RNG projects like this one in Baldwin County,鈥� said Bill Keller, executive vice president of Viridi. 鈥淲e are confident that this gas-to-energy plant will effectively reduce emissions and create a positive economic impact each year for Baldwin County.鈥�听
Funding for equipment and facilities was provided through grants from the State of Alabama. Baldwin County Commission allocated $4.6 million of ARPA funds to be used toward the design and construction of the Magnolia MRF. Grants from ADEM helped fund the education facility and equipment within the MRF, and ADECA provided $2 million in grant funding through the Alabama Saves program for the RNG operations.