New recycling initiative at CCMF aims to keep venue area clean, support charity

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - In less than two months, thousands of country music fans will be in Myrtle Beach for Carolina Country Music Fest.

But this year, fans will see changes to the event’s efforts to keep the festival area clean from June 6-9.

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Organizers want attendees to be more aware of where they can recycle. Not only to help the environment but also have their efforts go towards a great cause.

Liz Bradley says she’s noticed a disturbing trend in the six years she’s worked as security for the festival.

“We have noticed, at the end of the night, when we have to rally everybody up and get them out of the area - how much trash there is,” she said. “...up to your calf when you walk. Especially up by the stage.”

Bradley is also part of the Chirping Birds Society, an environmental advocacy group in the Grand Strand. After years of dealing with trash at CCMF, she wrote a letter to the City of Myrtle Beach expressing her concerns.

“We talked about aluminum, and we talked about maybe figuring out a way to recycle the aluminum and then use the money that comes from recycling for one of the causes,” said Bradley.

CCMF representative Amie Lee tells WMBF News the festival has been working with the city to coordinate recycling efforts. Among the changes will include recycling trailers at the festival this year.

Proceeds from recycled aluminum cans will go toward the South Carolina Burned Children’s Fund.

“This is an easy way for CCMFers to help with the recycling efforts during the event,” said Lee. “Throw the can in, and we’ll take it from there.”

While Bradley is excited to see improvement this year, she said it will only work if people are educated beforehand.

“The biggest problem is that we have to let people know that there is recycling and that they have to do it,” she said. “They can’t just drop their things. They have to bring it over to the bins in order for it to get recycled.”

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