Birmingham's plastic bottle caps will be recycled for the first time thanks to a new partnership between Richard Joseph SalonSpa, Aveda, the Alabama Environmental Council (AEC) and area schools. Richard Joseph and the AEC are asking people in the community to begin collecting plastic caps from common household products like soda and water bottles, shampoo containers, detergent, etc. Richard Joseph SalonSpa can provide collection boxes, which can be shipped directly to Aveda, or brought to the salon in English Village.

The U.S. does not have an operable system in place to recycle plastic bottle caps. Most plastic bottle caps are not recycled, ending up in landfills, oceans and rivers. Birds and other marine creatures often mistake them for food with tragic results. Aveda hopes to change this by recycling caps into new caps and containers for their environmentally responsible cosmetics. Aveda hopes to ship products made using this re-worked product later this year.

The Alabama Environmental Council works for a healthy environment with an emphasis on clean air, efficient and renewable energy, and improved waste reduction practices. For more information: www.aeconline.org

Richard Joseph SalonSpa is Alabama's premier salon and day-spa, bringing a unique blend of fashion, beauty, art and wellness to our guests, our community and the planet. Located in English Village, Richard Joseph is an Aveda Lifestyle salon, a title awarded to those that exemplify Aveda's philosophy of connecting beauty, wellness and care for the environment. For more information contact Chace Wachter at chacewachter@gmail.com