Charleston County Continues Hands-On Approach to Combat Recycling Contamination

Press Release

Charleston County Environmental Management is continuing efforts to combat non-recyclable contamination found in the County’s recycling program. Beginning May 24th, staff will be checking curbside recycling carts for contaminated material. Carts with non-compliant contents will receive an “Oops” tag with educational information.

Non-recyclables frequently found in recycling carts include: plastic bags and plastic wrap, food waste, wood, concrete, Styrofoam, clothing, blankets, tanglers (i.e. cables, cords, hoses, and belts), large plastic items, and household garbage. Non-recyclable contamination damages equipment, poses worker safety issues and increases the cost of recycling.

With the recent opening of the County’s new Material Recovery Facility (MRF), citizens are being asked to ensure that they are “Recycling Right.” The County recycling program only accepts glass bottles & jars, aluminum & steel cans, plastic bottles & containers, paperboard & cardboard, and paper. Do not leave material outside of your cart. Flatten all cardboard boxes and cut them to size, if necessary. Overflow recyclable material may be dropped off at any one of Charleston County’s many dropsite locations.

For more information on how to Recycle Right: recycle.charlestoncounty.org

If you or anyone you know would like to volunteer to assist with recycling education or to become a neighborhood captain, please email LaMonica Smalls at LRSmalls@charlestoncounty.org.

Staff will focus on communities throughout Charleston County. The current scheduled curbside recycling cart checks include:

Stiles Point, James Island

Mon. May 24

Mon. June 7

Mon. June 21

Westchester, James Island

Mon. May 24

Mon. June 7

Mon. June 21

Stono Park, West Ashley

Tues. May 25

Tues. June 8

Tues. June 22

Wappoo Road Area, West Ashley

Tues. May 25

Tues. June 8

Tues. June 22

Lenevar, West Ashley

Wed. May 26

Wed. June 9

Wed. June 23

Ardmore, West Ashley

Wed. May 26

Wed. June 9

Wed. June 23

Pepperhill, North Charleston

Thurs. May 27

Thurs. June 10

Thurs. June 24

Whipper Barony, North Charleston

Thurs. May 27

Thurs. June 10

Thurs. June 24

Remount Road Area, North Charleston

Thurs. May 27

Thurs. June 10

Thurs. June 24

Wando Woods, North Charleston

Thurs. May 27

Thurs. June 10

Thurs. June 24

**Dates and locations are subject to change due to weather and staffing availability.***

For more information on recycling, contact the Charleston County Environmental Management Department at (843) 720-7111 or visit recycle.charlestoncounty.org.

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