Citizen (Non-Business) Activities That May Require a SCDES Permit
SCDES issues a handful of permits to individuals and groups for certain kinds of, non-business, activities that could affect the environment and public health. If your plans include any of the following projects, you may need a permit from SCDES. For information on these permits, click the links below., Building a Home on Wetlands, Wetlands Permit from Army Corps of Engineers, Building a Private Pond, Wetlands Permit from Army Corp of Engineers (if impacting a wetland or stream) Installing a Septic Tank Installing a Private Residential Well or Irrigation System, *Wetlands are water/plant ecosystems such as Carolina bays, marshes, and swamps. Wetlands provide habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife, fish and shellfish, amphibians, reptiles, and rare plants. Wetlands also provide safety and economic and other benefits to communities by reducing flooding, and by cleaning and replenishing water supplies. It is better for the environment if impacts to…Confidentiality of Information
Please keep in mind that any information that you provide to SCDES may be released to the public upon request under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. If you believe that some or all of your information should be kept confidential, you should clearly identify the information as "confidential". If SCDES receives a request for public release of confidential information that you have submitted or…How Long Will the Permitting Process Take?
How Long Will the Permitting Process Take?, This is a tough question to answer with complete certainty. The permitting process timeline is influenced by many factors including: The quality of the application you submit: Many of the applications we receive are incomplete. This always triggers a request from us for additional information. The request and response cycle, which may occur several times in a given permit application process, can…, Planning Time Frames, Generally, about 80% of the new permit applications in 2013 were processed faster than the time frames shown below. The time frames shown are in total calendar days and include the time it typically takes for applicants to provide complete information. For planning purposes, you may want to base your expectations on the time frames below with some contingency time added. Remember, the more…, Need More Than One Permit?, If you will need more than one permit, it's especially important that you meet with us early in the process. Request a Meeting See our tips for avoiding delaysOut of Compliance
Have you just realized that you failed to follow the law in setting up or operating your business? Are you conducting an activity that you now realize needed a SCDES registration, license or permit prior to startup? It's your duty to bring your business into compliance, and you will need to apply for and receive the required permits, licenses and/or certifications to continue operations. By…Tips to Speed Process
Before you draw any plans, dig any holes, or build any structures, plan ahead to ensure that your efforts to get required permits, licenses, etc., will go as smoothly as possible. Follow our tips to avoid costly, time-consuming delays and get it right the first time.Electronics Recycling
Electronics Recycling Unwanted electronics are one of the nation's fastest-growing waste streams. Often called e-scrap, electronics contain potentially hazardous materials such as lead and mercury that can pose a risk to human health and the environment if not properly managed. Electronics also contain valuable materials such as precious metals that can be recovered through responsible recycling…Local Government Recycling
The S.C. Solid Waste Policy and Management Act of 1991 (Act) – S.C. Code of Laws §§ 44-96-10 et seq. – provides the foundation and framework for South Carolina to safely and efficiently manage its solid waste protecting human health and the environment. The comprehensive legislation establishes a state program that provides technical and financial assistance to local governments to manage solid…, County/Regional Solid Waste Plan Requirements, County governments or regions are required to develop solid waste management plans that are consistent with the State Plan. These plans, which also must address a 20-year planning period, must include: The amount and type of solid waste projected to be managed; An estimate of the current capacity within the county or region to manage its solid waste; An analysis of facilities that will be needed…, DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling, DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling (Office), which was created in the Act, provides non-regulatory technical assistance, outreach/education programs and grant funding to local governments. The Office also is responsible for the annual solid waste report that is required by law., Questions?, Please contact the Office by email or call 1-800-768-7348 .Recycle U
Colleges/universities have a unique opportunity to improve the community and help South Carolina achieve its recycling goals. SCDES’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling (Office) provides assistance in establishing and enhancing recycling on college/university campuses. Through its Recycle U program, the Office offers free, non-regulatory services including: site visits to assess waste…, S.C. Collegiate Recycling Professionals Certification, and other workshops. In addition, the Office supplies promotional artwork that can be customized for use on your campus, as well as , Recycle Guys, costumes for use at events., Contact, For more information or to schedule a site visit, call , 1-800-768-7348, ., Reporting, State-supported colleges and universities are required by law (, S.C. Solid Waste Policy and Management Act of 1991, )to report annual recycling and buying recycled activities to SCDES's Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling. Reports are due by , September 15 , each year, and should be submitted on , Re-TRAC Connect, . Call 1-800-768-7348 if you have questions or need assistance with tracking or reporting your data. The RecycleU program offers site visits to help assess the best practices in recycling and tracking data.Smart Business Recycling Program
South Carolina Smart Business Recycling Program logo Businesses – large or small – purchase goods and services, use energy and water, and generate and dispose of waste. In fact, more than half of the waste generated in South Carolina comes from businesses. Operating in an environmentally responsible fashion, businesses can lead by example with everyday practices that help protect and preserve the…, The Smart Business Recycling Program is a free, confidential initiative for businesses, and designed to: Help reduce their environmental impact; Provide technical assistance to begin or expand waste reduction and recycling programs; and Recognize recycling and sustainability efforts with an annual awards program. The program – created by the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling – offers these services through phone/email…, SCDES's Smart Business Recycling Program, Smart Business: A Guide for Reducing Waste & Recycling at your Business Top 5 Tips for Recycling at Your Business Top Ways to Engage Employees to Recycle Dirty Dozen: Office Edition Poster South Carolina Solid Waste Management Annual Reports S.C. Recycling Markets Directory S.C. Material Exchange, Contact, :, smartbiz@des.sc.gov, or call , 1-800-768-7348, .State Agency Recycling Responsibilities
The S.C. Solid Waste Policy and Management Act of 1991 (Act) requires the Governor’s Office, Judiciary, state-supported colleges/universities and state agencies to: provide a recycling program for the collection of selected materials including aluminum, cardboard, glass, lead-acid batteries, high-grade office paper, plastic, tires, used motor oil and compost material; design the program to…, S.C. Department of Corrections (SCDC) Recycling Services, SCDC collects recyclables from state agencies located in the Midlands. There is a fee for this service and participating programs need to provide recycling containers. For more information, call (803) 896-2364 ., S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Requirements, The Act requires SCDOT to provide an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly on the use of: • compost as a substitute for regular soil amendment products in all highway projects; • solid waste including ground rubber from tires and fly ash mixtures in road surfacing; • solid waste including glass, plastic and fly ash in asphalt or concrete; and • recycled plastic for…, Green Government Initiative, GGI Logo State agencies have a responsibility to lead by example and operate in an environmentally responsible manner. DES’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling offers assistance to state agencies to meet this obligation through the Green Government Initiative. Services provided include: • technical assistance to support, improve or expand state agency waste reduction and recycling…