POP Art Recycling Contest
Every year, the Solid Waste Authority honors middle school students with the POP (Protect Our Planet) Art Contest. The contest is designed to promote environmental awareness and highlight the creative talents of students in Horry County.
Students create a work of art using at least 70% of a specified material, normally thrown away, as chosen by the Solid Waste Authority.
The 2008-09 item is gum and candy wrappers (we ask that these wrappers are clean). The deadline for the 2008-09 POP Art contest is Friday, October 31, 2008. All entries must be delivered to the Horry County Solid Waste Authority administration building at 1886 Highway 90, Conway by 4:30 pm on the deadline. For contest rules and an entry form in Adobe PDF format, please click here."
2007 POP Art winner Allison Dunavant of North Myrtle Beach Middle School won with her creation, "Generations Within Recycling For Tomorrow".
Horry County's POP Art Winners
2007-08 - Allison Dunavant, North Myrtle Beach Middle, Generations Within Recycling For Tomorrow plastic bag creation
2005-06 - Jovonte Kinney, North Myrtle Beach Middle, "Horry County" bottle cap creation
2004-05 - Tayler Todd, Aynor Middle, "The Mermaid" CD creation
Environmental Scholarship
The Horry County Solid Waste Authority has a scholarship program for eligible high school seniors. The goal of the Environmental Scholarship Program is to award one graduating high school senior from each Horry County high school (who intends on pursuing a degree related to the environment) a one-time $1,000 scholarship.
The Solid Waste Authority wants to encourage and support students seeking a degree in an environmental field, which, in turn supports our mission of Protecting Tomorrow's Environment Today.
The deadline for the 2008-09 Environmental Scholarship Applications is Friday, January 16, 2009. To download an application in Adobe PDF format, please click here.
Congratulations to the 2007-08 Environmental Scholarship Recipients:
  • Aynor High School - Logan Richardson
  • Carolina Forest High School - Melissa Sabbagh
  • Conway High School - Kelli Wofford
  • Green Sea Floyds High School - Thomas Buffkin
  • Myrtle Beach High School - Leah Baker
  • North Myrtle Beach High School - Randy Hering
  • Socastee High School - Shay Godwin
  • St. James High School - Taylor Bryant
Each of the recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship after having completed public education volunteering with the Solid Waste Authority.

Classroom Paper Recycling Contest
Every month from November-May, one Horry County school will be named the top school for recycling classroom paper, based on volume and being contamination-free. The monthly winning school will receive $250 and recognition in local newspapers at the end of the school year.
2007-08 Winning Schools
November - Myrtle Beach High School
December - Black Water Middle School
January - St. James High School
February - Green Sea Floyds Elementary School
March - none
April - Myrtle Beach Primary
May - none
Newspaper Recycling Contest
The 2007-08 Newspaper Recycling Contest winner was Ocean Bay Middle School.
Every year, one Horry County middle and high school will be named the top school for recycling newspaper, based on volume and being contamination-free. Those schools will win recycled-content prizes, one for each student, and will receive recognition in the local newspaper at the end of the school year.
Recycling Student of the Year

SWA Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Sellers, Recycling Student of the Year Rachael Harter, Socastee Elementary 4th Grade Teacher Kerry Pilkey and Rachael Harter's mother, Barbara Harter.
Every year the Solid Waste Authority will honor one student in Horry County as the Recycling Student of the Year. This student demonstrates a positive influence in fulfilling the Solid Waste Authority's mission of Protecting Tomorrow's Environment Today while also participating in recycling activities at school and at home.
Students in grades K-12 may apply, but only one application per school per year will be accepted.
The winner will receive a $250 savings bond, an award plaque, local media coverage and recognition as well as a prize package valued at $250.
The deadline for the 2008-09 Recycling Student of the Year is March 31, 2009. To download an application in Adobe PDF format, please click here.
Nomination applications are also available at The Horry County Solid Waste Authority and with each area school's principal.
Horry County's Recycling Students of the Year
2005-06 - John Hastings of Aynor High School
2006-07 - Markquez Jamison of Conway Middle School
2007-08 - Rachael Harter of Socastee Elementary School


Denise Applewhite, a longtime educator and teacher at Conway Middle School, received the 2007 Environmental Eagle Award for her lifelong commitment to the environment.
Environmental Eagle Award
The Solid Waste Authority recognizes the local heroes who soar above and beyond in conserving our environment with the Environmental Eagle Award. Criteria for receiving this honor include level of commitment to the environment, environmental impact, beneficial waste reduction, originality and cost-effectiveness.

Environmental Eagle Award Winners
2007 - Denise Applewhite, Conway Middle School
2006 - Ben Abercrombie, Playcard Environmental Center
2005 - Kimberly Dawn Clayton, Blackwater Gallery
2004 - Yaupon Garden Club, North Myrtle Beach
2003 - Heather Rabon, Midland Elementary
2002 - Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority
August 2001 - Gerry Ferguson, North Myrtle Beach Elementary
March 2001 - City of Myrtle Beach Planning Department
2000 - Amelia Hadfield, Horry County School District
To nominate an individual or an organization, please download the Environmental Eagle Nomination Form (PDF). Nominations are accepted throughout the year. You may also call our office at (843) 347-1651 or email education@solidwasteauthority.org for an application.