A Green Partnership

A Green Partnership with Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
March 2, 2010
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com

Going green. Conserving energy. Becoming eco-friendly. Recycling waste. Reducing your carbon footprint. Regardless of how you describe it, it's a national movement that can't be ignored. And unlike most trends, our community's commitment to living, working and playing while minimizing our impact on the environment is here to stay.

To that end, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is making a commitment to connect businesses to resources to help companies implement green thinking in their day-to-day operations and employees' lifestyles at work and in the community. The chamber also is embarking on a process to become more environmentally sound as an organization.

Going green is not a new practice for Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce - it's been part of the company's business practices for close to 15 years. Like most small businesses, going green for MBACC meant taking small steps over the years. Aluminum cans were collected for donations and recycling and soon other recyclables were added to the mix: cardboard, printer cartridges, plastic and paper. MBACC also is a Santee Cooper Green Power Partner with 15 blocks or 2.65 percent of our total annual billing amount being reinvested into future developments of additional renewable resources or Green Power facilities.

As we look to step up our conservation efforts, MBACC is working with Fisher Recycling on recycling efforts. One simple act is adding more recycling bins throughout the chamber offices to encourage staff, along with visitors and members, to recycle their beverage cans and water bottles.

Environmentally friendly practices
As your chamber takes on more environmentally friendly activities, MBACC recognizes a number of our members already are active proponents of environmental stewardship.

At the 2009 annual membership meeting, a new award recognized our members' commitment to sound environmental practices. The Operating Green Award was presented to Brookgreen Gardens for their eco-friendly outdoor policies and recycling efforts along with other environmentally friendly measures. Hilton & Kingston Plantation Resorts and Ocean Lakes Family Campground also were recognized as finalists. You can read more about these businesses in our cover story, "Greening of the Grand Strand."

When we recently asked members to send in their green tips, members responded enthusiastically with a slew of conservation practices ranging from solar energy installations and water conservation to business recycling. We invite you to learn more about what your fellow MBACC members are doing to keep the Myrtle Beach area beautiful and sustainable at this new Going Green Web site.

Sorting the mix
As environmental concerns have increased and the costs of green technologies come down, more and more businesses owners - both large and small - have begun adopting green technologies. Consumers are increasingly responding to businesses that are environmentally responsible. With this in mind, it only makes smart business sense to review your green practices. Besides, it is the right thing to do - reduce, reuse, recycle.

Brad Dean, president & CEO, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce