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[[Image:AEC_Recycling_Center.jpg|right|450px|thumb|AEC Recycling Center from 25th Street North, April 2011]]
[[Image:AEC_Recycling_Center.jpg|right|450px|thumb|AEC Recycling Center from 25th Street North, April 2011]]
The '''Community Recycling & Resource Center''' (formerly the '''AEC Recycling Center''') is a non-profit 24-hour drop-off recycling center operated since [[1973]] by the [[Alabama Environmental Council]].
The '''Community Recycling & Resource Center''' (formerly the '''AEC Recycling Center''') was a non-profit drop-off recycling center operated by the [[Alabama Environmental Council]] from [[1973]] to [[2018]].


The establishment of a recycling center was led by AEC treasurer and co-founder [[Bob Burks]], and he served as its director from [[1974]] to [[1977]].
The establishment of a recycling center was led by AEC treasurer and co-founder [[Bob Burks]], and he served as its director from [[1974]] to [[1977]]. From [[2004]] to [[2018]] the Center's coordinator and manager was [[Dan Tenpas]].


From [[1980]] to [[2015]] it was located at 2431 [[2nd Avenue North]], on the southwest corner of the intersection with [[25th Street North]], adjacent to [[Massey's Corral]]. The [[downtown revitalization|redevelopment]] of Birmingham's [[loft district]] put pressure on the AEC to relocate its recycling center. In [[2007]] there was discussion of moving it to the former [[Parisian]] warehouse at [[11th Avenue North]] and [[Carraway Boulevard]]. It moved in early [[2016]] to 4350 [[1st Avenue South]] in [[Avondale]].
From [[1980]] to [[2015]] the center was located at 2431 [[2nd Avenue North]], on the southwest corner of the intersection with [[25th Street North]], adjacent to [[Massey's Corral]]. The [[downtown revitalization|redevelopment]] of Birmingham's [[loft district]] put pressure on the AEC to relocate its recycling center. In [[2007]] there was discussion of moving it to the former [[Parisian]] warehouse at [[11th Avenue North]] and [[Carraway Boulevard]]. It moved in early [[2016]] to 4330-4350 [[1st Avenue South]] in [[Avondale]].


One factor in choosing a new location was the ability to load crushed glass directly onto a long-haul trailer to maintain the cost-effectiveness of recycling used glass. With grant funding from the [[Alabama Department of Environmental Management]], the center purchased a refurbished glass crusher which produced glass "gravel" used as landscape fill and for pipe bedding.
One factor in choosing a new location was the ability to load crushed glass directly onto a long-haul trailer to maintain the cost-effectiveness of recycling used glass. With grant funding from the [[Alabama Department of Environmental Management]], the center purchased a refurbished glass crusher which produced glass "gravel" used as landscape fill and for pipe bedding.


The center collects all types of glass, paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastic bottles. It also accepts cell phones and printer cartridges. In early [[2008]] the center began accepting all types of plastics. Most recyclables are delivered to [[Birmingham Recycle & Recovery]] for processing.
The center collected all types of glass, paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastic bottles. It also accepted cell phones and printer cartridges. In early [[2008]] the center began accepting all types of plastics. Most recyclables were delivered to [[Birmingham Recycling & Recovery]] in [[Avondale]] for processing. By its own calculations, the center processed an average of 600 tons of material each year, saving approximately 1,500 cubic yards of landfill space and reducing the need for raw materials extraction, processing and transportation significantly.


By its own calculations, the center processes an average of 600 tons of material each year, saving approximately 1,500 cubic yards of landfill space and reducing the need for raw materials extraction, processing and transportation significantly. The Center's coordinator and manager is [[Dan Tenpas]].
After moving to its Avondale location, the Community Recycling & Resource Center began hosting educational tours. A 1.5 kW rooftop photovoltaic system was donated to the center by [[Eagle Solar & Light]] as a demonstration project. Other plans for future expansion included a retail shop for usable items brought for recycling and for artwork incorporating recycled materials.


After moving to its current location, the Community Recycling & Resource Center began hosting educational tours. A 1.5 kW rooftop photovoltaic system was donated to the center by [[Eagle Solar and Light]] as a demonstration project. Early planning is also underway for a retail shop for usable items brought for recycling and for artwork incorporating recycled materials.
In January [[2018]] China began curtailing the importation of recycled materials, which eliminated much of the worldwide market. The AEC scaled back its drop-off hours to just one day a week, then decided to close, effective [[December 13]]. The unused facility was sold to [[Duffy's Garage]] in [[2019]].
 
In January [[2018]] China began curtailing the importation of recycled matter, which eliminated much of the worldwide market for such materials. The AEC scaled back its drop-off hours to just one day a week.


==References==
==References==
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* "[http://www.aeconline.org/were-moving-avondale We're Moving to Avondale!]" (November 10, 2015) aeconline.org
* "[http://www.aeconline.org/were-moving-avondale We're Moving to Avondale!]" (November 10, 2015) aeconline.org
* Rebman, Stephanie (October 17, 2016) "Why a Birmingham nonprofit moved its facility to Avondale ." {{BBJ}}
* Rebman, Stephanie (October 17, 2016) "Why a Birmingham nonprofit moved its facility to Avondale ." {{BBJ}}
* Pillion, Dennis (November 28, 2018) "Avondale recycling drop-off center closing forever in December." {{BN}}
* Van der Bijl, Hanno (July 16, 2019) "Bham auto repair shop selling Parkside location, moving to Avondale." {{BBJ}}


==External links==
==External links==
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB1VhaMsKKk Alabama Environmental Council, Birmingham City Recycling] video by [[Rebecca Schiffman]]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB1VhaMsKKk Alabama Environmental Council, Birmingham City Recycling] video by [[Rebecca Schiffman]]


[[Category:Environmental nonprofits]]
[[Category:Recycling]]
[[Category:1973 establishments]]
[[Category:1973 establishments]]
[[Category:2018 disestablishments]]
[[Category:2nd Avenue North]]
[[Category:2nd Avenue North]]
[[Category:25th Street North]]
[[Category:25th Street North]]
[[Category:1st Avenue South]]
[[Category:1st Avenue South]]
[[Category:Recycling]]

Latest revision as of 10:21, 4 May 2023

AEC Recycling Center from 25th Street North, April 2011

The Community Recycling & Resource Center (formerly the AEC Recycling Center) was a non-profit drop-off recycling center operated by the Alabama Environmental Council from 1973 to 2018.

The establishment of a recycling center was led by AEC treasurer and co-founder Bob Burks, and he served as its director from 1974 to 1977. From 2004 to 2018 the Center's coordinator and manager was Dan Tenpas.

From 1980 to 2015 the center was located at 2431 2nd Avenue North, on the southwest corner of the intersection with 25th Street North, adjacent to Massey's Corral. The redevelopment of Birmingham's loft district put pressure on the AEC to relocate its recycling center. In 2007 there was discussion of moving it to the former Parisian warehouse at 11th Avenue North and Carraway Boulevard. It moved in early 2016 to 4330-4350 1st Avenue South in Avondale.

One factor in choosing a new location was the ability to load crushed glass directly onto a long-haul trailer to maintain the cost-effectiveness of recycling used glass. With grant funding from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the center purchased a refurbished glass crusher which produced glass "gravel" used as landscape fill and for pipe bedding.

The center collected all types of glass, paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastic bottles. It also accepted cell phones and printer cartridges. In early 2008 the center began accepting all types of plastics. Most recyclables were delivered to Birmingham Recycling & Recovery in Avondale for processing. By its own calculations, the center processed an average of 600 tons of material each year, saving approximately 1,500 cubic yards of landfill space and reducing the need for raw materials extraction, processing and transportation significantly.

After moving to its Avondale location, the Community Recycling & Resource Center began hosting educational tours. A 1.5 kW rooftop photovoltaic system was donated to the center by Eagle Solar & Light as a demonstration project. Other plans for future expansion included a retail shop for usable items brought for recycling and for artwork incorporating recycled materials.

In January 2018 China began curtailing the importation of recycled materials, which eliminated much of the worldwide market. The AEC scaled back its drop-off hours to just one day a week, then decided to close, effective December 13. The unused facility was sold to Duffy's Garage in 2019.

References

External links

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