In 2024, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) was awarded a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a waste characterization study analyzing the type and amount of solid waste disposed of, and potentially recycled, in the state.

MSW Consultants will perform the waste characterization study. They are a national leader in conducting all phases of large-scale, multi-facility, multi-season, multi-generator waste characterization studies and will work closely with SCDES during the process. The study will last about one year and will be conducted at two Class 3 municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. Field data collection will be conducted over two seasons, anticipated to be Winter 2024-2025 and Spring/Summer 2025. MSW Consultants will follow industry standards during this process with a Quality Assurance Plan approved by EPA prior to work being initiated. 

MSW Consultants personnel will be on-site, in designated areas, at the selected landfills to ensure quality loads for surveying. Selected loads will be tipped in designated areas for sorting. Once sufficient data is collected, MSW Consultants will prepare a draft and final report of findings to be submitted to SCDES.  

This study – the first directed by SCDES – will provide essential data to revise the S.C. Sustainable Material Management Plan (SCSMMP - formerly called the State Plan). If you are interested in learning more about the study and how it may affect the SCSMMP please contact us at SWRegDev@des.sc.gov.