Recycling in South Carolina
Where to recycle, donate or get rid of things in 22 cities and towns across South Carolina. Pick your city, or search for your item. We also pick up anywhere in the state.
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South Carolina rules
- Since July 1, 2011, consumers in South Carolina may not knowingly put a covered device (computer, computer monitor, printer or television) in waste headed for a solid waste landfill. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 48 Chapter 60: Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: residents must recycle televisions; they may not knowingly put them in waste going to a landfill. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Residents (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: residents must recycle computers, computer monitors and printers rather than landfill them. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Residents (opens in new tab)
More South Carolina rules (70)
- The landfill ban (Section 48-60-90) stays in force even though the rest of the Act has sunset dates; the rest now runs to December 31, 2029. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Residents (opens in new tab)
- Apart from the landfill ban, the Act's provisions are repealed December 31, 2029. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 48 Chapter 60: Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (opens in new tab)
- Landfills may not knowingly accept loads with more than an incidental amount of covered devices, and must post signs and notify haulers. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 48 Chapter 60: Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (opens in new tab)
- Covered televisions are consumer devices with a CRT or flat-panel screen larger than 4 inches diagonally that receive video programming. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Haulers and Landfills (opens in new tab)
- Covered computer devices include desktop, laptop and tablet computers and consumer printers. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Haulers and Landfills (opens in new tab)
- Some other electronics can still legally go to Class 3 landfills, but SCDES encourages recycling all electronics. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Haulers and Landfills (opens in new tab)
- All 46 counties and some cities run electronics collection programs or one-day events; SCDES points residents to RecycleHereSC to see what is accepted locally. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Residents (opens in new tab)
- SCDES says many retailers and most manufacturers offer collection or take-back programs, which vary in how they work and what they accept. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Residents (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: delete personal data first, and donate working electronics to a nonprofit if possible. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Residents (opens in new tab)
- Since program year 2023, TV and computer monitor makers must run a manufacturer e-waste program that transports and recycles TVs and monitors collected at participating counties' program sites and one-day events. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 48 Chapter 60: Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (opens in new tab)
- Counties (or solid waste authorities) choose whether to opt in to the manufacturer-funded TV and monitor program; manufacturers then pay to transport and recycle those devices. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Local Governments (opens in new tab)
- For each participating county, the manufacturer program must offer one collection site (population under 100,000), two (100,000 to 199,999) or three (200,000 or more), unless the county agrees otherwise. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 48 Chapter 60: Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (opens in new tab)
- Registered collectors in county-supervised programs may charge a fee for each desktop computer monitor or television they accept. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 48 Chapter 60: Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (opens in new tab)
- Retail collection sites are allowed to charge a fee for each covered device they collect. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 48 Chapter 60: Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (opens in new tab)
- A city of more than 17,000 people in a county that does not participate may join another participating county's program and use its sites. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 48 Chapter 60: Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (opens in new tab)
- Each covered-device manufacturer pays the state an annual registration fee of $3,500. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 48 Chapter 60: Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (opens in new tab)
- Whole waste tires may not knowingly be put in a landfill in South Carolina. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: when you buy tires the retailer usually keeps the old ones, and each of the 46 counties accepts waste tires from residents. Source: SCDES: Where Can Residents Recycle Tires? (opens in new tab)
- Counties often limit how many tires residents can bring (for example five per day or 10 per month); check with the county recycling coordinator first. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES suggests asking the tire retailer before buying whether it will take the old tires. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- State law imposes a $2 fee on each new tire with a DOT number sold to the ultimate consumer, whether or not the seller mounts it. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: the $2 per-tire fee funds local government tire management; retailers may add their own environmental fees as company policy. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- South Carolina has no other fee on tire sales, but retailers may charge additional environmental fees as company policy. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- The state passes $1.50 of each tire fee to counties by population, to be used for collecting, processing or recycling waste tires. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- The 1991 Act requires counties to manage waste tires generated in the county with collection and enforcement programs. Source: SCDES: Waste Tires (opens in new tab)
- Counties may not impose an additional fee on waste tires generated within the county; they may charge for heavy-equipment, oversized, out-of-state and similar tires. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- Exceptions where counties may charge: heavy equipment tires from farming, logging and mining; fleet tires without proof the $2 fee was paid; unsold South Carolina-made tires with no fee paid. Source: SCDES: Where Can Residents Recycle Tires? (opens in new tab)
- Counties may charge up to $400 a ton for out-of-state, non-DOT or no-fee-paid tires. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES supports county programs so that residents, retailers and salvage yards have free access to tire drop-off locations. Source: SCDES: Waste Tires (opens in new tab)
- Improper tire disposal carries a fine of up to $200 per tire. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- Drain and recycle tires stored at home; standing water breeds mosquitoes. Source: SCDES: Where Can Residents Recycle Tires? (opens in new tab)
- Counties must manage waste tires and are encouraged to work with cities on tires collected from residents. Source: SCDES: Waste Tires: County Responsibilities (opens in new tab)
- The $2 tire fee does not apply to farm tractor, airplane, off-highway, used, recapped, retread, lawn mower, bicycle, garden cart or wheelbarrow tires. Source: SCDES: Tire Dealers/Other Retailers of New Tires (opens in new tab)
- Under the 2022 revisions, manufacturers pay to transport and recycle all TVs and monitors collected from agreed program collection points, and participating counties are guaranteed a minimum number of sites or one-day events. Source: SCDES: Electronics Recycling (opens in new tab)
- South Carolina law defines white goods to include refrigerators and freezers, along with ranges, water heaters, dishwashers, trash compactors and air conditioners. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- Washers and dryers are white goods under South Carolina law. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- White goods may not knowingly be mixed with municipal solid waste bound for a landfill, and MSW landfills may not knowingly accept them. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- Violations carry a fine of up to $200 per white good. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- Anyone disposing of white goods is encouraged to reclaim freon before recycling or disposal. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- A $2 fee applies to each new white good delivered by wholesalers for resale; it goes to the Solid Waste Management Trust Fund. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: large appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers must be recycled; most counties take them at drop-off centers, in curbside programs or at events. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: washers and dryers must be recycled; most counties accept them at drop-off centers or other designated locations. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- When buying a new appliance, ask whether the retailer will take the old one; retailers may add their own environmental fees. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: there is a $2 fee on each appliance purchased, funding local recycling grants and the state program. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- Used lead-acid batteries may not be put in mixed municipal solid waste or discarded except by delivery to a battery retailer or wholesaler, a registered collection or recycling facility, or a permitted secondary lead smelter. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- Improper disposal carries a fine of up to $200 per battery. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: lead-acid batteries must be recycled; every county accepts them and most auto parts retailers do too. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- Small sealed lead-acid batteries may not be incinerated or put in a landfill. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- Lead-acid batteries under the law are lead and sulfuric acid batteries of 6 volts or more; small sealed ones (25 lb or less, non-vehicle) are defined separately. Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: never put lithium-ion batteries in household garbage or recycling. Source: SCDES: Lithium-Ion Batteries (opens in new tab)
- Tape the terminals of button/coin batteries and all lithium batteries before drop-off. Source: SCDES: Be Battery Smart - Recycle Right and Safely (opens in new tab)
- Many counties have household hazardous material programs or one-day events that take some battery types. Source: SCDES: Be Battery Smart - Recycle Right and Safely (opens in new tab)
- SCDES: alkaline batteries can go in household garbage; lithium and button batteries should be managed as household hazardous waste. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- Other options SCDES names: Redwood Materials drop-off locations and events, and Batteries Plus stores (call ahead). Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES points residents to the Thermostat Recycling Corporation's nationwide program for mercury thermostats. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- Some county HHW programs or one-day events take CFLs; Lowe's, The Home Depot and Batteries Plus Bulbs may also take them (check first). Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- If no recycling option exists, residents may put CFLs in household garbage, sealed in a plastic bag as EPA recommends. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- Some county programs accept household hazardous waste, either through regular collection or single-day events; check RecycleHereSC. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- Do not pour household hazardous products down the drain, on the ground or into a storm sewer. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- SCDES asks residents to use only the drop-off locations of their own county of residence. Source: SCDES: Where to Recycle (county recycling locations) (opens in new tab)
- Some county programs accept latex paint from residents through permanent collection or one-day events. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- Dry (solidified) latex paint may go in household trash; air-dry small amounts or mix larger amounts with clay cat litter or paint hardener. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- For larger amounts, mix in an equal amount of clay-based cat litter until thick. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- Usable paint in a reasonable quantity can be donated to a community service organization, school or theater group. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- Oil-based paint should go to a household hazardous waste program or event. Source: SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare's state list (California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington) does not include South Carolina: there is no PaintCare program in South Carolina. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare runs paint recycling programs only in states with paint stewardship laws. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
- The Mattress Recycling Council operates statewide only in California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island; South Carolina has no state mattress recycling program. Source: Mattress Recycling Council (opens in new tab)
- MRC runs recycling programs only in states that have passed mattress recycling laws. Source: Mattress Recycling Council (opens in new tab)
- With no South Carolina mattress law, there is no MRC/Bye Bye Mattress program for mattresses or box springs in the state. Source: Mattress Recycling Council (opens in new tab)