The Echo Project, Atlanta's annual enviromentally friendly music and arts festival, begins this Friday. Backed by top names in rock and hip-hop, the Echo Project raises enviromental awareness by utilizing alternative energy sources, educating the public on enviromental issues and hosting eco-enhancing volunteer projects.

This year, the Echo Project teamed up with Sustainable Waves to begin a 10-year attempt "to find a balance between current lifestyle choices and alternatives that will positively impact the earth." Sustainable Waves has helped other music festivals, including Austin's South by Southwest Music Festival and Chicago's Lollopalooza, green up their act.

The 3-day festival boasts such musical guests as the Flaming Lips, The Killers, Common, The Roots, Spoon, the Polyphonic Spree and many more. All performers will utilize Sustainable Waves' eco-savvy staging and sound equipment.

Concert goers are invited to camp on festival ground; over 350 acres of the privately owned Bouckaert Farm, just south of Atlanta. Unlike most large outdoor concerts, the festival area will not be littered with trash and debris after all the attendees have gone home.

The Echo Project has created several volunteer clean up projects to ensure the place remains spotless. They hope to leave the enviroment better than when they came.