At GBB, our expert consultants share a strong passion for solid waste management and working towards a more sustainable future. GBB's newsletter, The GBB Circular, is intended to contribute to the industry dialog, sharing ideas, observations, and words of wisdom.

Summer 2026

From Vision to Award-Winning Reality: The Baldwin County, AL MRF

March 2026 marks one year since the Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County, AL (Authority) officially inaugurated its new Material Recovery Facility (MRF) with GBB Executive Vice President Chris Lund, P.E., in attendance! While a key milestone, a lot happened before and since then!

It all started with a long-term vision for a sustainable county-wide recycling system from the Authority’s leadership, led by its CEO, Terri Graham. From there, the County selected multidisciplinary engineering firm LaBella Associates, with GBB as a specialized solid waste management sub-consultant, to conduct a current and future needs study related to recycling programs utilized by the County and municipalities within and to subsequently design, procure, and manage the construction of a Materials Recovery Facility and supporting infrastructure.

As a specialized sub-consultant, GBB was tasked with GIS wasteshed mapping, material volume analysis and estimates, cost and revenue analysis, capital expenditure projections, and concept design of required equipment.

GBB was also tasked with MRF logistics, the development of operations descriptions/procedures/manuals, and personal training. With extensive procurement expertise, GBB played a key role in developing the RFP, evaluating proposals, selecting vendor(s), and overseeing construction management, installation, start-up, and acceptance of the new MRF.

The end result: a state-of-the-art $25 million, 62,000-square-foot facility with the capacity to recycle up to 40,000 tons of material a year that the Authority and the state of Alabama can be proud of!

Since then, the authority was honored with the William Gerald Hardy Project of the Year Award, presented by the Alabama Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). The award, which recognized the MRF’s Waste and Recycling Adventure, is reserved for projects that demonstrate excellence in:

Environmental stewardship
Community involvement & education
Innovation and efficiency
Economic impact

GBB is very proud of its role, as a subconsultant to LaBella Associates, in bringing this ambitious project to life. A huge congratulations to Terri Graham and her team for the award and the visionary leadership required to make this MRF a reality!

MRF inauguration ceremony:

GBB Project Manager Joe Dunlop – Certified Master Composter

A year ago, industry veteran Joe Dunlop joined GBB as a Project Manager, shifting his 25-year career from public-sector service to consulting.

Prior to becoming a consultant, he was Waste Reduction Administrator and Commercial Recycling Specialist for over 12 years with Athens-Clarke County, GA, where he achieved results by building and leading award-winning teams, finding consensus, and emphasizing community partnerships – always with measured outcomes. He also identified and secured grant funding to improve infrastructure and leverage operations.

Before that, for 12 years, he served as a Program Coordinator for the state of Georgia, where he developed solid waste management plans for rural and urban communities; wrote Georgia’s required Solid Waste Management Annual Report; managed the state Recycling Markets Directory; built grant programs based on findings of a statewide waste characterization study; and approved local government plans. He was also a trainer for multiple solid waste planning workshops, empowering local governments to craft their own successful plans.

Since becoming a consultant, Joe has helped multiple GBB clients in South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia address complex materials management issues. He is also assisting a confidential, large retirement community in changing its solid waste management practices to be more sustainable.

Passion for Composting

A Certified Georgia Master Composter trained by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, he led food rescue and composting collection programs while at the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government in Georgia. He also secured about $270,000 in funding from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for food scraps collection and composting promotion. This expertise is key in a current GBB Food Scraps Diversion Feasibility Project for Loudoun County, VA.

As a composting expert, he recently contributed an article to Waste Today. Traditional composting is evolving as municipalities face increasing pressure to divert organic waste. While windrow composting was once the standard, aerated static piles (ASPs) are emerging as a superior alternative for efficiently processing food scraps. In his insightful article, he explored how ASPs technology reduces footprints, controls odors, and simplifies operations for local governments.

Read the article

Island Community Long-Term Strategic Solid Waste Management Planning

In the Fall of 2025, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formally approved the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Comprehensive Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan, unlocking access to nearly $34 million in additional federal funding. Sourced through the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (ASADRA), these funds are specifically designated for solid waste and recycling infrastructure projects prioritized by the Plan to enhance, modernize, and develop a resilient solid waste and recycling infrastructure across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota in the years ahead.

GBB, along with its subcontractors GHD, Pacific Galleon, and Congruent Environmental Strategies, is proud of its extensive contributions to developing this blueprint for a sustainable future for the CNMI. This effort will significantly increase the capacity to reduce, reuse, compost, and recycle materials, dramatically minimizing and diverting waste currently destined for disposal.

Looking Ahead

With the blueprint now finalized and federal funding unlocked, the CNMI is well-positioned to lead the region in waste diversion and resilient infrastructure. GBB is proud to have contributed to the strategic foundation for this success and remains dedicated to providing innovative, economical solutions that solve the unique challenges of island waste management, turning the ambitious goals of sustainable material management and Zero Waste into a tangible reality.

See the comprehensive plan

Waste characterization study by the GBB Project Team in Saipan.

Speaker's Corner

GBB Executive Vice President Chris Lund, P.E. (right), is joined by Steve Nesbitt (Arcadis) and Dennis Bagley (Southeastern Public Service Authority) before their session at the Virginia Recycling Association/SWANA Old Dominion Conference, in Virginia Beach, VA.

The Role of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in the Circular Economy

Chris Lund, P.E.

GBB Executive Vice President

At the Virginia Recycling Association / SWANA Old Dominion Conference, held in April 2026 in Virginia Beach, VA, GBB Executive Vice President Chris Lund, P.E., explored the pivotal role of MRFs in achieving circularity within solid waste management as part of the “Evolution Inside and Out: MRFs & Tech” session.

Chris’s presentation specifically addressed how MRFs can leverage data to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve sustainability, ultimately contributing to a more circular economy.

See PDF of the Presentation

You Can't Always Get What You Want... (Solid Waste Management Planning)

Joe Dunlop

GBB Project Manager

In May 2026, as part of the SWANA South Carolina Palmetto Chapter Spring Conference program in Myrtle Beach, GBB Project Manager Joe Dunlop discussed strategic solid waste management planning. His presentation stressed the importance of Solid Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) that include a Demonstration of Need and describe how they help ensure new solid waste management facilities align with communities’ needs, including location. Attendees learned about:

South Carolina’s laws pertaining to local government SWMPs
Benefits of adopting a good SWMP
Risks of not having a good SWMP
SWMP implementation timeline & costs

See PDF of the Presentation

Recent GBB Assignments

GBB has recently been selected for several new assignments, including:

Review of County Tipping Fee Ordinance

Avery County, NC (as a subcontractor to Smith Gardner, Inc.)

Financial Analysis / Rate Adjustment Review

City of Fort Worth, TX

Transfer Station Feasibility Study

City of Jackson, TN

Assistance with Landfill Assessment, Design, and Permitting

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands – Island of Tinian (as a subcontractor to GHD)

Solid Waste Management and Recycling Consulting Services

Confidential Client - Continuing care retirement community

Transfer Station Pre-Filing Review

Lake County, IL

Food Scraps Diversion Feasibility Project

Loudoun County, VA (as a subcontractor to SWS Consultants, LLC)

Technical Support and Expert Witness Testimony - Landfill Operations Compliance

Seneca County General Health District, OH

Rate Study and Development of Full Cost Accounting Model / Assessment of Long-Term Disposal Alternatives

Transylvania County, SC (as a subcontractor to Smith Gardner, Inc.)

Development of Centralized Waste Collection System and Infrastructure

Villanova University, PA

Solid Waste Management Plan Development and Rate Study

York County, SC (as a subcontractor to Smith Gardner, Inc.)

Due Diligence Assignments for Confidential Clients

Recyclables Supply Assessment to Support Financing New MRF
Anaerobic Digestion and Composting Facility Review to Support Equity Ownership Participation Decision

Expert Witness Assignments for Confidential Clients

Solid Waste and Recycling Contracts Review

We very much appreciate the opportunity to assist these clients with their needs. Please contact us at hello@gbbinc.com to let us know how we can help you too!

GBB Reading: Published Articles

As thought leaders, GBB consultants regularly contribute articles to leading industry publications, sharing insight and information on important topics. Recently published articles include:

Transfer Station
Evolution

Steven Schilling, P.E.

GBB Sr. Project Manager

Waste Today – Dec. 2025

Read Article

How to Improve Contracting for Municipal Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services

Chris Lund, P.E.

GBB Executive VP

Waste Today – July 2025

Read Article

Uncovering Opportunities with Waste Material Assessments

Steven Schilling, P.E.
GBB Sr. Project Manager