SWA recognizes inaugural recipients

In March 2019, the Horry County Solid Waste Authority announced the creation of a new recognition program. The Spotlight on Environmental Awareness (SEA) program will recognize agencies/businesses/companies that practice reducing, reusing and recycling in their daily operations, promote the conservation of natural resources and/or utilizes sustainable business practices.

Two to three businesses will be recognized quarterly on the SWA website and social media platforms and will include a brief summary of the recipient’s environmental efforts and a link to their specific website. During the month of July, the SWA recognized the following local businesses as the inaugural recipients of the Spotlight on Environmental Awareness program.

Located in the historic Chestnut House (circa 1927) in Conway, Shine Café opened in 2019 with the mission to provide tasty home cooking with an international flair while also concentrating on sustainability and environmental awareness. This awareness is evident as soon as you walk on the property. A pervious pavement courtyard, organic herb garden and native plants greet visitors. The home has been restored to its original beauty and the dining areas are all fashioned in repurposed furniture and décor, as well as works of art created by local artists.

In the kitchen executive chef and owner Leslie Wilson takes great pride and effort in preparing delicious meals with locally and home grown, organic vegetables. Organic food scraps and other compostable materials are composted in the “Gussie Compost Castle” located behind the restaurant. In addition to recycling standard items, i.e., cardboard, glass and metal, etc. they also promote environmental awareness by providing eco-friendly, non-plastic service whether customers are dining in or taking it to go. Shine Café utilizes “real” service ware, i.e., ceramic dishes, cutlery, cloth napkins and glassware in their dining room and plant-based/compostable to go containers for take out orders. Shine Café takes their efforts to another level and utilizes melted ice to water plants, thereby not wasting even a drop of water.

Their environmental stewardship efforts have been acknowledged by many to include the Chirping Bird Society who recognized them for their leadership in zero waste practices and the use of sustainable farm to table products. Visit Shine Café at 707 Main Street in Conway, or on the web at www.ShineCafeConway.com to learn more about their environmental and community efforts.

Based in Little River, bFIVE40 is known as one of the southeast’s premier designers and innovators of sustainable printed signage, graphics, furnishings and fixtures and innovative custom products that are produced with REPREVE recycled fibers and ecological cling films. As stated by CEO Donna Brin, utilizing recyclable materials is how bFIVE40 will drive environmental change.

One of their premier products is Bonk Fit, a high-performance inflatable punching bag, made from polyurethane (not PVC) and form-fitting fabric covers (a.k.a. skin) to slip overtop. The eco-friendly/sustainable skin is machine-washable which makes it highly reusable. bFIVE40 also has a zero waste mission. They utilize a digital large format printer for the primary print process, which produces paper waste that represents about 90 percent of the waste the company generates. Instead of just dropping the discarded paper product in the garbage or even recycling it, bFIVE40 established a Reuse Program with Horry County Schools for art teachers to use the waste paper. Teachers use the paper for drawing projects, stage sets, wall coverings and so much more.

The paper is 60 inches wide and up to 60 yards in length … the ultimate canvas for kids and a great zero waste model for all. bFIVE40 is leading the way in developing innovative digital print products with high recyclability and a low environmental footprint. To learn more about bFIVE40, visit them at 412 Highway 90 in Little River or on the web at www.bfive40.com.

For more information on the Spotlight on Environmental Awareness program, contact the Solid Waste Authority at 843-347-1651.