The Basics
The Alabama Environmental Council (AEC), is a 501 c-3 educational and grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of Alabama’s natural environment and health. Since its inception, AEC has worked to build environmental awareness, promote the wise management of our natural resources, and ensure the protection of Alabama’s diverse natural heritage. Founded in 1967, AEC has been instrumental in the creation of innovative environmental projects that have had far-reaching impacts on the environment and communities throughout Alabama for over thirty-seven years.

Organizational structure
The AEC is a statewide, membership organization, currently with a paid staff of two. A Board of Directors from different economic levels and geographic areas of the state governs the organization. The Board of Directors meets quarterly and as needed. An Executive Director supervises the organization. The Executive Director supervises a program coordinator, an administrative coordinator, and a recycling center manager.

The membership is approximately 1000 people and is representative of all areas of the state. The membership represents a variety of socio-economic levels and cultures. The membership also helps to execute programs at a local level through chapters. Currently our volunteer chapters are located in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, but we are always looking to start new chapters to expand the important work of the AEC into all other parts of the state. Contact us if you’re interested in organizing a local chapter in your area.

Breakdown of funding:
Memberships 14%
Foundations 33%
Donations 25%
Fundraisers 13%
Corporations 8%
Other sources 7%

Recycling
One of the AEC’s biggest accomplishments has been establishing systems for recycling around the state, and especially in the greater Birmingham area. The AEC opened the state’s first recycling center in 1973 providing Birmingham area residents with a drop off location for their recyclables. In the first year of its operation, managed by volunteers, the center collected over 600,000 pounds of recyclables and since reopening in 2000 has collected over 1150 tons! AEC's Recycling Center serves the greater Birmingham area and is located in downtown Birmingham.

Recognizing the need for more recycling options statewide, the AEC lead the effort to establish centers in Auburn, Montevallo, Tuscaloosa, and Muscle Shoals. Before recycling was a common household term, the AEC became known as the clearinghouse for recycling issues statewide. The AEC Montgomery Chapter started a magazine recycling program in 1992 with three drop off locations around the city.

In addition to establishing recycling drop off centers, the AEC wanted to make recycling more convenient for citizens. The AEC then lead the effort to establish curbside programs, with the first one located in Birmingham. In 1989, the AEC operated the program with a modest 25 households participating and grew the program to over 1100 households by 1991, when the city took control of the program. The AEC lead the effort to establish curbside programs for the cities of Birmingham, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Huntsville, Hoover and Anniston.

The AEC also launched the Christmas tree recycling program. In 1989, in coordination with Bruno’s supermarkets and Alabama Power, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Auburn had a program to recycle used Christmas trees. A total of 11,241 trees were ground into rich mulch in the three cities. In 1990, the project went statewide with sites in twelve major cities throughout the state. In 1994, the program was expanded to include BASS, BFI Waste Management, and Home Depot.

Toll Free Recycling Hotline: 1-800-982-4364.

The AEC recycling center is located at 2431 2nd Avenue North and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Helpful brochures and staff are available to make the center more user-friendly. Thanks for recycling!

The Recycling Center will be accepting the following recyclable items:

Glass (all types, please remove any lids/tops and make sure they are washed out)
Mixed paper (cereal boxes, box packaged foods, phone books, magazines, office paper, junk mail, etc.)
Newspaper
Corrugated cardboard (broken down)
Steel, aluminum, & tin cans
Plastics 1-7 (bottles only, lids removed, contents emptied)
Cell Phones
Printer Cartridges

Recycling Awards
The AEC has received numerous state and local awards for recycling efforts over the years. In 1974, the AEC received the governor’s Environmental Award for outstanding conservation achievement for the recycling program. In 1983, the Birmingham Beautification Board presented the AEC with an award for its grounds at the recycling center.

The AEC’s recycling efforts have also been recognized nationally over the years. In December of 1973, the AEC received a Distinguished Service Citation from Keep America Beautiful, a national organization based out of New York. The AEC’s Birmingham Southern College Chapter was presented with a Point of Light Award by President George Bush in 1990 when he chose to visit the college to sign a declaration making April 1990 National Recycling Month. Renew America, a national organization promoting recycling issues, listed the AEC in their Environmental Success Index in 1989, 1990 and 1991.