Background

Greenville (pop. 60,709) may be a relatively small city in upstate South Carolina, but it is the county seat and primary city in a metropolitan population that is steadily climbing toward 900,000 residents. Greenville’s weekly curbside recycling program, which utilizes a single-stream collection bin and allows various other waste items to be placed curbside, provides unparalleled convenience to its citizens. As well, South Carolina state law requires that electronic waste must be responsibly recycled. The Greenville region has numerous drop-off locations to satisfy the legislative demands.

Materials recycled

Paper Accepted items include mixed paper, newspapers and inserts, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, phonebooks and paperboard (no frozen food packaging). Corrugated cardboard is also accepted, and must be clean and flattened (no pizza boxes). Plastic Any plastic bottles or jugs with a neck are accepted — no wide-mouth containers such as yogurt cups, butter tubs or takeout containers. Metal Aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, clean aluminum foil and clean aluminum pie tins are accepted. Glass Clear, brown, blue and green glass bottles and jars are accepted. Miscellaneous Vehicle tires (limit four per pick-up), scrap metal and various appliances can also be placed curbside, separate from the recycling bin.

Frequency

Greenville recycles at the curb on a weekly basis (same day as trash collection). Bins must be curbside no earlier than 12 hours prior to pick-up and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day. A collection map is available online.

Other programs

It is illegal to dispose of computers, computer monitors, TVs, printers and any associated parts in South Carolina. The City of Greenville holds twice-annual e-waste collection events, but Greenville County residents can drop off electronics for safe recycling at seven residential waste and recycling centers. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Proof of residency is required. Yard waste can be placed at the curb, loose, for pick-up on collection day. Accepted materials include grass clippings, leaves and branches (6 feet long and 6 inches in diameter or less). Please pile leaves separate from other yard waste, and place piles 3 feet from any obstructions (vehicles, mailboxes, utility poles, etc.). Tabs from drink cans are collected at the East Stone Avenue Recycling Center (800 E. Stone Ave.). Funds generated from the recycling of this material benefit the Ronald McDonald House and Shriners Children’s Hospital charities.

More information

Visit the City of Greenville Department of Public Works website for more recycling program info.