Photo by Sam Chandler.
Alabama Environmental Council Executive Director Michael Churchman, left, and Alan Gurganus, AEC’s recycling director, at the recycling center in Avondale.
Since Alabama’s oldest nonprofit recycling center moved to a new location in the spring, its operators have been able to keep more of Birmingham’s trash out of landfills.
After spending more than 30 years downtown on Second Avenue North, the Alabama Environmental Council opened the doors to its freshly renovated, Avondale-based recycling center in April.
AEC Executive Director Michael Churchman said the location change was motivated by multiple factors, including limitations on collected materials — namely glass — and the need for a more spacious facility. “We started looking for a bigger site, some more space, which would not only bring glass recycling back, but expand the amount of materials and different kinds of materials that we can bring in and collect, because one of the big drivers is collecting the materials,” Churchman said.
Sitting on nearly an acre of land, the new recycling center accepts more than 25 types of recyclable materials, including plastic bottles, electronics and appliances. Plus, the acquisition of a refurbished pulverizer has renewed its glass recycling ability.
Although the recycling center used to accept glass at its previous location a number of years ago, Churchman said it became an unsustainable practice. Now, the recycling center is one of the state’s only facilities capable of processing the material.
While the recycling center accepts the majority of its approved materials for free, it does charge a small fee on glass, batteries, computer monitors and TVs. Since these items hold negative value, the fee helps cover associated recycling costs, Churchman said.
Alan Gurganus, AEC recycling director, said the center processed nearly 2,000 tons of recyclable materials per year at its previous location. In Avondale, he said he expects the total annual quantity to hover around that same mark, though he said he would welcome an uptick.
Gurganus said an increase in the amount of recyclable materials collected by facilities like the AEC’s can help reduce environmental impact while also stimulating the economy. With 30 manufacturers throughout Alabama relying on recycled materials to produce consumer goods, demand far outweighs available in-state supply.
Manufacturers are therefore forced to import the recycled materials, he said.
“We have the world’s largest plastics recycler down in Troy, KW Plastics,” Gurganus said. “If they relied solely on what we as Alabamians recycle, they would only operate two days out of the year.”
Citing a 2010 study, Gurganus said that if Alabamians recycled 10 percent more than they do, the added influx would create 1,400 new jobs, $66 million in personal income and $3 million in state tax revenue.
“We have a huge potential in Alabama, not only for the environment, but also for our economy as well. Recycling is one of the instances where it proves that a strong, healthy environment can also support a strong, healthy economy,” he said.
The AEC Community Recycling Center, 4330 First Ave. S., accepts drop-offs seven days a week. For hours of operation, volunteer opportunities, a list of accepted materials and more information about the AEC, go to AEConline.org or check its social media accounts.
