1. Recycling is available - each of the state's 46 counties has a residential recycling program. In fact, South Carolina has nearly 70 curbside programs, 535-plus drop-off centers, and more than 900 collection sites for do-it-yourself (DIY) motor oil changers.
2. Recycling provides jobs - recycling supports more than 300 companies and 42,000-plus jobs that comprise South Carolina’s recycling industry.
3. recycling makes a green economy - recycling has a $13.5 billion annual economic impact in South Carolina.
4. Recycling saves and makes money - throwing away aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, and other valuable recyclables not only is costly, but also throws away potential revenue from the sale of the wasted material.
5. Recycling turns waste into new material - recycling provides the valuable raw material that manufacturers rely on to make recycled-content products.
6. Recycling conserves finite natural resources - recycling prevents the harvesting of virgin material as well as the resources required to process it.
7. Recycling conserves energy - reducing the need for raw material also saves the energy required to extract and process it.
8. Recycling means less pollution - reductions in harvesting virgin material and energy use prevent pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
9. Recycling reduces litter - as much as 75 percent of litter is material that can be recycled. Recycling this material helps protect the environment and wildlife as well as avoid costs associated with clean-up efforts.
10. Recycling reduces the need for new landfills - reducing, reusing, and recycling save landfill space by diverting valuable material from disposal.

Understanding what can be recycled, where, and how can get confusing. This confusion often leads to placing recyclables in the trash or throwing trash into the recycling bin.

To help, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about household waste management.

What is recycling?

Recycling is collecting items that otherwise would be thrown away and turning them into new products.

Why recycle?

Recycling conserves natural resources, saves energy, provides raw material to manufacturers to make new products, creates jobs, and much more. Learn more about why to do it here.

Where can I recycle?

Each of South Carolina’s 46 counties have recycling programs, as do many cities and towns. To learn where you can recycle, visit RecycleHereSC.

What can I recycle?

It depends on the program – so always check. Items that are usually okay include aluminum cans, steel (soup, fruit, and vegetable) cans, cardboard, and plastic (water, soda, and milk) bottles. To find out what you can recycle at home, visit RecycleHereSC.

What does "Recycle Right" mean?

"Recycle Right" means only placing items in the bin or cart that are accepted in your program and properly prepared. Learn more here.

Where do my recyclables go?

Items are taken from your cart, bin, or drop-off site to a facility that sorts, bales, and prepares them to become new raw material for manufacturers. For more information, check out The 3-Step Recycling Loop (PDF).

What are recycled-content products?

Recycled-content products are items made with recycled material.

What is buying recycled?

It means buying products made from recycled material. Recycling will not work if recycled-content products are not purchased. Today, almost anything you buy can be made from recycled material –  auto parts, backpacks, clothing, decking, furniture, and school supplies as well as new aluminum cans, glass jars, and plastic bottles. 

What do those three arrows mean on products?

The arrows are the universal symbol for recycling and indicate that the product has the potential to be recycled. They do NOT necessarily mean that you should place an item in your recycling bin. Check here to see if your program accepts a specific item.

What is the best waste management option?

It’s not recycling. The best option is to prevent waste. Refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, and donate before recycling.