Local Government Recycling | South Carolina Department of Environmental Services

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 waste, addresses statewide waste reduction and recycling goals, bans certain items from disposal, defines terms, allows for the development of regulations and prioritizes recovery over disposal.

The Act (Section 44-96-80) also places the majority of the responsibility for managing solid waste on county governments. Counties are required to:

develop and implement a recycling program and designate a recycling coordinator;
develop a solid waste management plan that includes local governments within the county or region and that is consistent with the State Plan; and
provide annual reporting on the amount of waste disposed of and recovered as well as progress towards meeting the state’s waste reduction and recycling goals.

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 to manage solid waste;
The designation of a recycling coordinator, description of the recycling program and outreach/education initiatives;
An outline of how the county or region plans to meet South Carolina’s waste reduction and recycling goals; and
An estimate of the cost of implementing the plan.

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.