One of the best ways you can protect the Gulf of Mexico? Reusing and recycling. In 2016, the City of Gulf Shores http://www.gulfshoresal.gov decided to completely revamp their recycling program to make it easier for both residents and visitors to do their part.

Recycle at the beach

During your day at a Gulf Shores public beach, you’ll notice blue and gray bins along the sand. The blue bin is for recyclable materials and the gray bin is for landfill items. Check the labels on the side for details regarding which items are recyclable.

Your recyclable items are collected each day and transported to the Gulf Shores Recycling Center for sorting. A grant awarded in 2016 provided a conveyor system that picks up the recyclables and carries the items inside the center, where employees then sort them by hand. Please be very careful to place only clean, recyclable material in those bins, as that small decision allows a much more efficient process that is, ultimately, better for our world.

Recycle at the drop-off facility

The City of Gulf Shores operates a drop-off recycling facility located at 160 W. 36th Avenue. Just like at the beach, here you’ll find bins designated for different materials. Again, it’s important we all do our part by carefully sorting items for placement into the correct bin.

Items accepted at the drop-off facility:

  • Glass
  • Aluminum
  • Plastic No. 1, 2, 3
  • Office paper, newspapers, magazines
  • Metal
  • Cardboard
  • Electronics (televisions, microwaves, printers)

Please note the center cannot accept medical waste, aerosol cans, paint or tires.

Recycle at your home

Finally, the City of Gulf Shores also provides weekly residential recycling services. Recycling pickup days are Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Items that can be recycled:

  • Aluminum cans
  • Cardboard (must be broken down)
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Office paper
  • Paper products
  • Phone books
  • Plastic jugs
  • Tin cans (must be rinsed)

Items that cannot be accepted include aerosol cans, aluminum foil, egg cartons, food or yard waste, glass, juice boxes/bags, paper/waxy milk cartons and pizza boxes.

Leave Only Footprints

Thank you for living a “Leave Only Footprints” lifestyle, both on and off the beach. To learn more about the Gulf Shores Recycling Program, please contact the Gulf Shores Public Works Department at 251-968-1156 or by email.