Alabama Environmental Council

We believe all Alabamians have a right to a clean and safe environment. Our goal is to empower citizens to help make that right a reality for each of us. The AEC gives voice to citizens & groups interested in protecting our rights. We focus our efforts toward sustainable living by reducing our impact on global warming; expanding our work in recycling; and growing education and environmental literacy efforts across our state.

AEC originally served as an initiator and clearing-house for environmental issues in the state and continues to participate in a now larger environmental movement. We are proud of the role we have had in shaping the movement in the past and are excited about continued participation in the future.Alabama Environmental Council--formerly The Alabama Conservancy--is the oldest state-based environmental organization (i.e., not part of a national organization like Audubon or National Wildlife Federation)? In 2017, AEC will celebrate its 50th anniversary. (AEC was founded in 1967 and incorporated in 1969.) 

Won't you help us celebrate 50 years of accomplishments, including leading the fights for the Sipsey Wilderness, Alabama's Clean Air and Clean Water legislation in the 1970s, and 30+ years of recycling in Birmingham and beyond? Your $50 contribution will take us into the next half-century of work. But please don't stop at $50... if you can give more, use this link to donate any amount you like!

History

The Alabama Environmental Council is the oldest statewide nonprofit environmental advocacy organization in Alabama. We began before the first Earth Day, before the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, and before there even was an Environmental Protection Agency. It began in 1967 as the Alabama Conservancy by a group of dedicated individuals sitting around a kitchen table. Alabama's environment owes a debt of gratitude to these early environmental leaders.

Vision and Mission

We are a statewide, non-profit leader engaging citizens toward sustainable living and stewardship of the environment. Our mission is to organize and empower Alabamians to preserve the environment in a manner that is mindful of current and future generations.

From the low and gentle mountains of the north to the pure white sands of the coast, we breathe Alabama's air, drink Alabama's water and depend on Alabama's land. We recognize the positive link between a strong economy, a clean environment and a healthy, proactive citizenry. By working for a healthy environment with an emphasis on educating Alabamians on efficient and renewable energy, and improved waste reduction practices, we provide a voice for Alabama now and for the future.

Goals

• Educate and advocate for environmentally sustainable policies and practices.
• Be an effective and respected environmental voice for our stakeholders and others.
• Maintain a fiscally responsible and stable organization with an engaged Board of Directors, adequate staffing, and an active volunteer and membership base.

About the Recycle Alabama Campaign

The Recycle Alabama Campaign is a regional education campaign that utilizes the power of branding to create a truly regional approach to recycling, building upon what has primarily been a fractured, municipality-based effort. Only seven of the thirty-nine municipalities within Jefferson County currently offer drop-off or curbside recycling opportunities for residents. While some of these municipalities have seen some degree of success in resident participation, the restrictions imposed by a municipality-based program often create a fragmented rather than inclusive opportunity for recycling.

As new recycling opportunities are made possible through the 2010 and 2011 ADEM Alabama Recycling Fund grant and are introduced in parts of Jefferson County that have not had easy access to recycling, the Recycle Alabama Campaign will be used to inform and educate the new communities about the availability and benefits of recycling while serving as a reminder and behavioral reinforcement for residents who already have access to these services. By showing residents that the effects of recycling are bigger than a neighborhood, a community, or a city, the Campaign illustrates how individual actions can multiply into benefits that affect an entire region. The Alabama Environmental Council (AEC) serves as the lead for this portion of the grant and has contracted with The Modern Brand to create most of the graphic elements. However, success also depends upon members of the JCDH Environmental Committee as well as numerous local stakeholders to enhance the educational efforts.

Jefferson County is unique from other counties in that many individual and varied municipal solid waste (MSW) and recycling efforts operate within its borders, operated by numerous hauling companies. However, the types of materials accepted by the different efforts are mostly consistent, because of the limited but competitive nature of the recycling material recovery facilities (MRF). Most of the communities that offer recycling services operate their programs independently. However, they are supportive of a regional approach to educating citizens about the importance of increasing individual participation and the quantities they recycle. All partners of the grant, as well as additional municipalities currently offering recycling, will participate in promoting the Recycle Alabama Campaign and will utilize their collective media connections and education outlets to maximize dollars spent.

Short-Term Objectives:

• Be market-leaders in recycling resources and education; operate a best-practice drop-off model
• Find ways to make the Downtown Recycling Center self-sustaining. Replicate at other location(s)
• Set-up and operate a restaurant/bar glass-recycling program
• Create education campaign to improve existing and implement additional curbside recycling pickup
• Educate citizens, corporations, and communities about how to live more sustainably.
• Create and implement a work-plan tracking system for involving staff and maintaining focus on the short- and long-term objectives

Long-Term Objectives: 

• Celebrate the history and success of the organization
• Leverage our effectiveness by developing partnerships and collaborating with like-minded organizations
• Work to improve local and state legislative/regulatory environmental policies
• Implement a marketing campaign to increase awareness and grow our state-wide presence
  grow membership
• secure additional revenue through additional gifts and new programs
• Form chapters/clubs/satellite groups to further carry out our mission and goals
• Become the best source and “go to” in AL for sustainable living and environmental stewardship
• Develop education campaigns to carry out our mission and goals
• Use appropriate advocacy to support our environmental sustainability policies.
• Work toward a visible, measurable increase in statewide recycling