Background

Charleston, SC’s (pop. 125,583) recycling program is in the midst of a countywide change. A new single-stream recycling system, signaled by the arrival of new 95-gallon blue roll carts, is establishing itself in some of the city’s and surrounding county’s neighborhoods. This new program, which is incrementally expanding across Charleston County, replaces the original two-bin collection system, in which Charlestonians were required to separate paper-based recyclables from others like glass, aluminum, steel and plastics. Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department oversees the area’s curbside and drop-off recycling programs, serving 110,000 households and operating 45 drop-off recycling locations. The recycling program has been awarded the Best County Recycling Program Award and the Most Innovative Recycling Program by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, as well as the South Carolina Recycling Association’s Best Recycling Program Award.

Materials recycled

Paper All paper products, including corrugated cardboard, paperboard, mixed paper, newspapers, magazines and catalogs. Those in Charleston County still using a two-bin collection system must collect paper products separately from the other materials listed below. Plastics Plastic containers numbered 1 through 7 are accepted (lids/caps OK). Those in Charleston County still using a two-bin collection system must collect plastic products, metals and glass separately from the paper materials listed above. Metals Aluminum, tin and steel cans and containers are accepted. Those in Charleston County still using a two-bin collection system must collect plastic products, metals and glass separately from the paper materials listed above. Glass Glass bottles and jars (all colors) are accepted. Those in Charleston County still using a two-bin collection system must collect plastic products, metals and glass separately from the paper materials listed above.

Frequency

Charleston residents take recyclables to the curb on a biweekly basis. Carts or bins may be placed curbside no later than 7 a.m. on collection day and must be placed 3 feet from obstructions (vehicles, poles, trees, etc.). A collection day lookup tool and a collection map (downtown Charleston residents can use a supplemental map) are available online.

Other programs

Charleston County is dotted with drop-off recycling centers, including the fully staffed John L. Jencks Recycling Center (13 Romney St.; open Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), which collects household hazardous waste, motor oil, paint, light bulbs and e-waste at the the northern end of downtown Charleston. For countywide listings, click here.

More information

Visit the Charleston County Environmental Management and Recycling Information website for more recycling program info.