Myrtle Beach Area Chamber Introduces Going Green Program
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is launching its Going Green program, with a number of activities during March. Myrtle Beach area businesses are continuing to find ways to reduce waste, reuse products and reduce their carbon footprints. Going green at the office is becoming easier and more prevalent.
The MBACC is expanding its office recycling program March 1, beginning with staff training at 8:45 a.m. Led by Fisher Recycling – Grand Strand, the training will introduce staff to new and enhanced recycling. Employees will now have access to recycling bins throughout the building, which will be emptied into larger containers. The recycling program will now include glass, plastics and cardboard as well as paper, aluminum and toner cartridges. All recyclables can be commingled, which saves organizational space and does not require individual collection or sorting of each recyclable.
“Fisher Recycling did a waste audit at the chamber, which showed how we could improve our recycling practices,” said Diana Greene, IOM, MBACC executive vice president for membership programs and services. “Our recycling program is easy, convenient and cost-effective. We’ll now be able to use a smaller dumpster for our nonrecyclable trash.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and news conference for Fisher Recycling will be held at the chamber at 10 a.m. March 3. As the chamber’s recycling partner, Fisher is introducing its Affinity Program for MBACC and Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association members. Members can receive complimentary onsite waste audits, assistance designing a customized recycling program to meet their business needs and personalized training and education for staff. As a special offer, a three-year recycling service contract will include one free pickup and one month of free recycling containers and bins.
On March 15, the S.C. Green Hospitality Alliance will host a free regional workshop to assist hotels, restaurants and other hospitality facilities in their resource conservation efforts. The workshop, which will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, will include speakers highlighting various environmental efforts.
Following the workshop, the MBACC, Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association and Horry Georgetown Home Builders Association will hold the Top 10 Green Business Practices panel discussion for all types of businesses 2 p.m.-4 p.m., with expert panelists from EARTHWORKS, SCE&G, Santee Cooper, Fisher Recycling, South Spray Foam and Horry County Solid Waste Authority. Steven Strickland, P.E., LEED AP, EARTHWORKS building design team leader, will lay the foundation with an overview of what is “green” and how it is measured, and panelists will share green practices. The panel discussion is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.
Fisher Recycling – Grand Strand will be at the following MBACC-sponsored events to answer questions and schedule waste audits for area businesses:
• March 11: Business After Hours at Hampton Inn & Suites Oceanfront (MBACC members only)
• March 15: Top 10 Green Business Practices panel discussion (open to the public)
• March 21: 2010 Grand Strand Green Fair at The Market Common (open to the public)
• March 25: Business Before Hours at Kiss Coffeehouse (MBACC members only)
According to the “South Carolina Solid Waste Management Annual Report Fiscal Year 2008,” the state’s recycling rate for municipal solid waste (MSW) was 24.4 percent. Horry County’s recycling rate was 30.7 percent, with 109,507 recycled tons. No county met the state’s recycling goal of 35 percent, although 16 counties including Horry were above the state’s rate of 24.4 percent. The state defines MSW as “the combined residential, commercial, institutional/nonprofit and industrial packaging/office waste generated.”
More activities will be added to the Going Green events calendar. Visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com for more information including going green practices that MBACC members have implemented.
