DHEC Encourages Residents to Reduce Food Waste, Recycle Properly throughout Holiday Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 18, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encourages residents to be good stewards of the environment this holiday season by properly recycling and helping reduce food waste. Celebrations this time of year tend to also include giftwrap, packaging, decorations and other items that increase amounts of household…, Richard Chesley, DHEC's Section Manager for the Office of Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling., “We encourage all South Carolinians to be conservative in how much food they purchase to prevent food waste and to do the same with giftwrapping paper and other items used during the holidays.” The Don’t Waste Food SC public education campaign, which is coordinated by DHEC, the S.C. Department of Commerce and many ambassadors around the state, provides helpful resources for directing food waste…, Meal planning., Only buying the amount of ingredients you need for each dish helps reduce food waste. , Do a head count., Knowing how many people to prepare food for helps reduce the amount of prepared but unneeded food. , Reusable containers for leftovers., Send your guests home with leftovers in a reusable container. This helps eliminate single-use materials like plastic wrap and keeps large quantities of food from going unused and spoiling in your fridge. , Composting., If you can’t donate or reuse your leftovers, another option is composting. Sending food waste to a composting facility or composting at home can improve soil health and structure, increase water retention, support native plants and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. DHEC provides composting tips at scdhec.gov/recycling. To help cut back on the amount of household waste that’s…, Make sure to recycle right., Putting the wrong thing in the recycling bin is called “contamination.” If a load of recyclables has too much contamination, it gets thrown away instead of being recycled., Know what is recyclable., What you can recycle at work may be different from what you can recycle at home, or what you can recycle if you’re visiting someone in a different county. Take a minute to learn what’s accepted for recycling wherever you are by visiting scdhec.gov/RecycleHereSC., Be mindful of hard-to-manage items., Some common items like lithium-ion batteries, electronics, and household hazardous waste can be recycled but should not go into your recycling bin. These items require specially handling to make sure they don’t hurt people or the environment. For help with these items, visit DHEC’s webpage about recycling hard-to-manage items or call 1-800-768-7348 . For more info on safely handling and recycling…, Keep it clean., Make sure items you recycle are empty and relatively clean. No liquids, food or residue should go in your recycling bin., Reducing and reusing support recycling., Recycling can be supported by reducing the amount of household waste that’s generated and by reusing or repurposing items. More information about local recycling programs, proper recycling tips, and food waste reduction efforts are all available on South Carolina’s Recycle Right SC campaign page . ###DHEC Closes Shellfish Harvesting Locations in Charleston and Georgetown Counties due to Excessive Rainfall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 18, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is closing multiple shellfish harvesting beds in Charleston and Georgetown counties due to excessive rainfall, the agency announced today. Harvesting areas temporarily closed are:, Georgetown County, Shellfish Management Area 4 - Murrells Inlet Shellfish Management Area 5 - North Inlet Shellfish Management Area 6A - North and South Santee, Charleston County, Shellfish Management Area 6B - McClellanville/Cape Romain Harbor/Cape Island Shellfish Management Area 7 - Bulls Bay Shellfish Management Area 8 - Bull Island/Capers Island/Isle of Palms Shellfish Management Area 9A - Isle of Palms/ Hamlin Sound/Sullivans Island "These temporary closures go into effect at official sunset today, December 18,", said Mike Marshall, manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section., "These harvesting areas will be evaluated and reopened once water quality data indicate bacteria levels are once again suitable for shellfish harvesting." For more information about these clam and oyster harvesting areas, please visit scdhec.gov/shellfish or contact your local DHEC Environmental Affairs Office in Charleston or Beaufort counties…S.C. Mining Council to Meet December 6, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 4, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Mining Council will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, in Board Room No. 3420 of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, 2600 Bull Street, in Columbia. The agenda is available here . ###DHEC Asks South Carolinians to be Thankful, Not Wasteful, this Thanksgiving
HEC offers tips for limiting food waste, donating to food banks, and handling food safely , FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 20, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — No holiday is more associated with food and leftovers than Thanksgiving. In advance of the upcoming holiday, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encourages South Carolinians to help reduce the amount of food that gets discarded this holiday. Food waste is the number one item thrown away by Americans every…, said Adah Gorton, DHEC Food Waste Prevention Specialist., “One in ten South Carolinians, including more than 140,000 children, face hunger. Anyone fortunate enough to have leftover food this Thanksgiving can visit our Don’t Waste Food SC webpage to find food donation programs in their community.” Other ways to cut back on food and food-packaging waste include: , Meal planning, . Only buying the amount of ingredients you need for each dish helps reduce food waste. , Do a head count., Knowing how many people to prepare food for helps reduce the amount of prepared but unneeded food. , Reusable containers for leftovers, . Send your guests home with leftovers in a reusable container. This helps eliminate single-use materials like plastic wrap and keeps large quantities of food from going unused and spoiling in your fridge. , Composting, . If you can’t donate or reuse your leftovers, another option is composting. Sending food waste to a composting facility or composting at home can improve soil health and structure, increase water retention, support native plants and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. DHEC provides composting tips at scdhec.gov/recycling. Additionally, DHEC reminds South Carolinians to handle food…, Salmonella, ,, Clostridium, perfringens,, Campylobacter, and other germs. Below are several important food-safety tips. , Wash your hands., Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling turkey or other raw meats. Also wash cutting boards, utensils, dishes and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing raw turkey and before you prepare the next item. , Don’t buy the bird too early., If you bought your turkey fresh, keep it in the refrigerator and cook it within one to two days. If you bought your turkey frozen, to thaw it safely in the refrigerator, allow for a thaw rate of 4-5 pounds per day. Learn more safe thawing recommendations here . , Safely cook your turkey., It’s important to make sure a turkey has reached a safe internal temperature of 165° F before serving, and to make sure stuffing is fully cooked as well. Learn more here . , Turkey frying., Never put a frozen turkey in the deep fryer. When working with large amounts of hot oil, select a cooking vessel large enough to completely submerge the turkey without it spilling over. Select a safe location outdoors for deep frying a turkey, and never leave the hot oil unattended. More tips are available here . , Monitor your leftovers., After dinner, remember to follow the two-hour rule. For safety, do not leave turkey or other perishable foods sitting out at room temperature longer than two hours. Refrigerate your leftovers at 40° F or colder as soon as possible to prevent food poisoning. , Eating out, . If eating out, look for the “A” rating from DHEC. The A rating indicates the restaurant met high standards for cleanliness and food safety. Also, scan the QR code on the decal (most now have them) to learn the restaurant’s inspection history before you eat there. Another important holiday reminder is to properly dispose of cooking oil. Pouring cooking fats, oils and greases down the drain can…DHEC Thanks South Carolinians for Recycling Efforts, Encourages Proper Recycling of Household Batteries as Part of ‘America Recycles Day’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 14, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — In observance of America Recycles Day tomorrow, Nov. 15, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) applauds South Carolinians statewide for their efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle. Recycling helps make the Palmetto State a cleaner, safer place to live. Through the Recycle Right SC campaign , which is a…, said Myra Reece, Director of DHEC’s Environmental Affairs., “While many of our residents understand the importance of recycling paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum, we have a new goal to spread awareness about how critical it is to also properly recycle household batteries.” DHEC offers several tips for how to have the biggest impact with household recycling: , Make sure to recycle right., Putting the wrong thing in the recycling bin is called “contamination.” If a load of recyclables has too much contamination, it gets thrown away instead of being recycled. , Know what is recyclable., What you can recycle at work may be different from what you can recycle at home, or what you can recycle if you’re visiting someone in a different county. Take a minute to learn what’s accepted for recycling wherever you are by visiting scdhec.gov/RecycleHereSC. , Be mindful of hard-to-manage items., Some common items like lithium-ion batteries, electronics, and household hazardous waste can be recycled but should not go into your recycling bin. These items require specially handling to make sure they don’t hurt people or the environment. For help with these items, visit DHEC’s webpage about recycling hard-to-manage items or call 1-800-768-7348. For more info on safely handling and recycling…, Keep it clean., Make sure items you recycle are empty and relatively clean. No liquids, food or residue should go in your recycling bin. , Reducing and reusing support recycling., Recycling can be supported by reducing the amount of household waste that’s generated and by reusing or repurposing items. , Don’t waste food., The Don’t Waste Food SC program is a partnership with the S.C. Department of Commerce focused on preventing food waste, which is the No. 1 item Americans throw away each year. According to the South Carolina Solid Waste Management Report for 2022 , residents recycled 1,161,924 tons of municipal solid waste – the type of waste generated from households. The top materials recycled by weight were…, said Richard Chesley, DHEC's Section Manager for the Office of Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling., “While America Recycles Day is one day where we spotlight the advantages of household recycling, we want all South Carolinians to make proper recycling a routine part of their everyday lives so that our communities and state as a whole can reap the benefits of a clean, green, healthy state.” For information about household recycling, visit scdhec.gov/recycling. Learn more about the importance of…DHEC Receives $1 Million EPA Grant to Extend Efforts for Advancing Environmental Justice in South Carolina
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 8, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is the recipient of a $1 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to continue the agency’s Environmental Justice efforts in South Carolina. This is the largest amount of federal funding for Environmental Justice initiatives that DHEC has received…, said Keisha Long, DHEC’s Environmental Justice Coordinator., “Our work, which is supported by these federal grants, is driven by that principle ― that no community or neighborhood should be left behind when it comes to environmental impacts. All South Carolinians deserve to live in a clean and healthy environment.” DHEC and its partners will work together to communicate and then apply the principles of Community-Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CDMRR)…, said Dr. Dan Kilpatrick, with the University of South Carolina: Arnold School of Public Health, . “Our risk-based approach with EJ communities means the impact of these efforts helps support those communities with the greatest potential for disaster coupled with greatest opportunity for resilience." DHEC has been holding similar Environmental Justice training sessions in disadvantaged communities since 2020. The EPA also has awarded $500,000 to LAMC for its Environmental Justice efforts…, said Muhammad. , DHEC’s Environmental Justice program is housed with the Office of Environmental Affairs and dedicates itself to “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures and income with respect to the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies in working towards increasing prosperity of all South Carolinians.” To…Lt. Governor Evette, DHEC, ISRI Launch ‘Be Battery Smart’ Campaign for South Carolina
New public information effort focuses on importance of recycling household batteries and safety hazards posed by certain batteries , FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 7, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — A public education campaign designed to increase the public’s understanding of the health and environmental benefits of safely recycling household batteries is launching today in South Carolina, announced the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette joined Myra…, said Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette., "This campaign will help educate families about the hidden dangers of batteries and the economic benefits of recycling. By responsibly managing batteries, we not only protect our loved ones but also contribute to preserving the critical minerals that make up batteries." Batteries are required for many household essentials, such as remote controls, kids’ toys, clocks and watches, cell phones,…, said Myra Reece, DHEC’s Director of Environmental Affairs., “We want South Carolinians to understand that household batteries need to be properly recycled in order to limit the potential harm they can cause to people and the environment.” Lithium-ion batteries, which are a popular type of rechargeable battery, are easy to puncture and can cause fires in garbage trucks and recycling centers and landfills. This can injure those essential workers, including…, said ISRI President Robin Wiener., "Educating the public on this critical issue is important for the safety of our member companies and employees — and also for first responders and the communities around us. We are proud to partner with the South Carolina DHEC to launch this important campaign that will ultimately keep South Carolinians out of harm’s way.” Most South Carolina residents have opportunities to recycle batteries at…, said Reece., “Recycling — and recycling batteries in particular — is one of the ways to a sustainable economy and healthy environment.” Another critical focus of Be Battery Smart is educating the public about the choking hazards posed by small, shiny button batteries. Children are especially at risk for serious injury or even death if they swallow a button battery or put one inside their ear or nose. DHEC…DHEC Awards Twelve South Carolina Schools as ‘Champions of the Environment’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 2, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Twelve South Carolina schools were recently awarded grants that will support the education of the next generation of environmental stewards statewide, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced today. The “ Champions of the Environment ” awards are issued each school year to foster environmental education…, said Myra Reece, DHEC Director of Environmental Affairs, . “With the help of our great partners, we look forward to the many projects Champions of the Environment will support in classrooms across the state for years to come.” DHEC started Champions of the Environment in 1993 with the goal of encouraging, enabling, and recognizing youth environmental education projects that develop awareness, promote behavior change, or improve and protect our water,…, said Amanda Ley, DHEC coordinator for the Champions of the Environment program, . “Funding from the Champions program provides these schools environmental education opportunities that may not otherwise be available.” The 2023-24 Champions of the Environment winners are below. $2,500 winners: Academy for the Arts, Science, and Technology, Horry County R.B. Stall High School, Charleston County Loris Middle School, Horry County St. John Catholic School, Charleston County Starr-…DHEC Update on Fire at Unpermitted Debris Pile in Anderson County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 26, 2023 ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has been notified of a fire at an unpermitted land-clearing debris pile in Anderson County., At this time, there is no known threat to the environment or public health,, however, it’s always recommended that people avoid breathing in environmental smoke., What is Environmental Smoke?, • Whether from a campfire, wildfire, or burning landfill or pile of debris, all smoke is made up of very small partially burned particles and chemicals that form during burning. What makes up the particles and accompanying gases depends on the type of material that is burning., What is Going on Near 516 Bowen Street?, • An unpermitted land-clearing debris pile is on fire. This smoke is very similar to smoke from burning yard trash, fire pits or fireplaces. Because some of the materials that are burning are partially underground, the fire may smolder for a few days. • The Centerville Fire Department has responded and the South Carolina Forestry – Wildfire Division has moved dirt around the burning pile to…, How Can Smoke Affect Me?, • The heat from outdoor fires typically lifts smoke up into the air, but slower, smoldering fires in combination with some weather conditions can trap smoke close to the ground. • It’s never good to breathe smoke of any kind for extended periods of time. Most people should not have long-term health problems caused by breathing smoke for short periods of time, but chemical odors and particles in…, What Can I Do About It?, • In the event of a fire or smoke event, the first and most important thing to do is to minimize your exposure. o Report smoke to local authorities as the adage is usually true, “where there is smoke, there is fire.” In this case, the Centerville Fire Department has been on site and is closely monitoring the situation. • If possible, stay upwind from the fire. • Go inside, close windows and close…DHEC Spotlights the Dangers of Lead Exposure during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 23, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Oct. 22-28), the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encourages residents to learn the dangers of lead exposure and how to protect themselves and their families from it. In recognition of its importance Gov. Henry McMaster issued a proclamation for Childhood…