SCDHEC: Green Guide

Where to Recycle

Recycle at home, school and work. Throughout South Carolina’s 46 counties, there are about 80 curbside recycling programs and more than 650 recycling drop-off sites. Find recycling centers in your area.

What can be recycled?*

Below is a list of material that is accepted in many curbside recycling programs and most recycling drop-off locations. A detailed list of recycling programs and sites -- as well as specific material collected by each -- is available.

Aluminum cans
Plastic bottles (soft drink, detergent, shampoo and other similar bottles as well as milk jugs)
Newspapers and newspaper inserts
Cardboard
Steel cans (fruit, vegetable, soup and other food and beverage cans)
Glass bottles (clear, green or brown)
Magazines
Office paper
Unwanted mail

For more information on recycling in South Carolina, call 1-800-768-7348.

*Not all sites accept all materials.

Why recycle?

In addition to protecting the environment, recycling is good for the economy. Every time you recycle, you’re helping create jobs in South Carolina. Collected recyclables are processed into valuable raw materials to make new products.

Recycling saves energy, conserves natural resources and reduces pollution. It also lessens the need to build landfills and incinerators.

In some areas, recycling is mandatory, but in South Carolina it’s voluntary. Local governments design and run the programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions -- on recycling tires, antifreeze, motor oil, batteries, computers and other items not routinely accepted by all recycling centers -- are available. This information also is available by calling 1-800-768-7348.