Ocean Lakes Family Campground has become the first resort along the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach, S.C., to dedicate a truck and manpower to haul its own recyclables to the Materials Recycling Facility in Horry County, according to WMBF-TV, Myrtle Beach.
The effort is part of the campground’s commitment to being “green friendly,” an initiative that kicked off last summer with the campground’s iCare Program. The iCare Program encourages guest responsibility and education, focusing on pet pollution, litter impact and recycling.
The campground currently owns and operates five 20-yard rear loader garbage trucks, one of which is dedicated to recyclables only. The truck was re-painted and bears the iCare logo. Since January, Ocean Lakes has delivered 8 tons of materials to the facility.
“We want to be good stewards and operate as ‘green’ as we can while creating a memorable experience for our guests,” said Barb Krumm, spokeswoman for the facility. “We want to lead by example. This is only the beginning. We plan to expand our efforts to do right by our environment, community and visitors.”
Guests checking in to the campground are asked to use the “iCare kit” to pick up after their pets in order to reduce “pet pollution,” which has proven to be harmful to the ocean and marine life. There are gloves and specially marked bags available at iCare stations throughout the campground so that people can dispose of the waste.
As part of the program, in January, the campground mounted a Apricus solar panel to the roof of an existing bathhouse to solar heat the water for 12 shower stalls and the sinks.
Last year, Ocean Lakes Family Campground won the 2009-2010 Plan-It Green Award from the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) for its iCare Program. The award is given to parks that demonstrate they have taken steps and actions to become more eco-friendly. Only three parks in the United States have received such recognition.
