Recycling is simple and convenient in South Carolina.

Each of the 46 counties in the state has a residential recycling program. In total, there are more than 60 roadside projects, nearly 600 unloading centers, and more than 900 self-service (DIY) oil change machine collection points.

Almost all recycling programs accept aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles, paper and cardboard. The items listed below can also be recycled, but residents must contact their county recycling coordinator to find out if the material is accepted or what other options are available.

Please visit RecycleHereSC to learn more about recycling in your area. 

Question: How to properly dispose of or recycle antifreeze?

Answer: Some county-level projects accept antifreeze. To find out if your community accepts it, please visit RecycleHereSC. In addition, check if your community provides a single-day collection of household hazardous waste. Another option is to ask your car dealer or mechanic to see if they will accept your antifreeze for proper disposal or recycling.​​​

Question: Where can I recycle my lead-acid (eg, car, truck, motorcycle) battery?

Answer: Lead-acid batteries must be recycled in South Carolina. Every county accepts lead-acid batteries. To find the location closest to you, please visit RecyleHereSC. In addition, most auto parts retailers accept batteries.

Note: You can also recycle old lead-acid batteries at the retail point where you bought new lead-acid batteries. There is a pre-recycling charge of $7 for each new battery purchased. If you return the old battery when you buy a new battery, you will get a $5 credit and only pay $2.

Question: Where can I recycle rechargeable batteries?

Answer: Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at major retailers participating in the Call2Recycle program (such as Lowe's, Best Buy, The Home Depot). The program is free to residents and accepts all dry battery rechargeable batteries weighing up to 11 pounds, including nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), nickel zinc (Ni-ZN) and lithium ion (Li-ion) ) Batteries and small lead-acid batteries. To find a recycling location near you, please visit Call2Recycle.

Rechargeable batteries can also be recycled at the Batteries Plus Bulb store. Call ahead to confirm what services are available. To find a store near you, visit Batteries Plus.

Question: Where can I properly dispose of or recycle disposable batteries?

Answer: Alkaline batteries can be disposed of as household waste.

Lithium batteries-commonly used in cameras, watches, and remote controls-and button batteries-commonly found in watches, hearing aids, keyless entry remote controls, and medical equipment-should not be discarded if possible. These non-rechargeable batteries should be properly managed as household hazardous waste. To find out what opportunities are available in your community, please visit RecycleHereSC.

Question: Where can I recycle my CFL?

Answer: Some counties plan to accept CFL through household hazardous waste programs or single-day collection activities. To find out if your community accepts CFL, please visit RecycleHereSC.

Residents can also recycle CFLs at Lowe's, The Home Depot, and Battery Plus Bulbs.

Lowe's may provide a recycling center at the entrance of the store, accepting CFL as well as rechargeable batteries, cell phones and plastic bags. 

Home Depot can also provide recycling services for CFL and rechargeable batteries. 

Batteries Plus Bulbs can provide recycling for CFL and other types of bulbs and lighting products, as well as rechargeable batteries.

It is recommended to contact any of the above-mentioned stores before making sure these recycling services are available.

If you can't find a recycling option, residents can put CFL in household trash. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends putting the bulb in and sealing it in a plastic bag before disposing of it in the trash can. The EPA provides here more information about the CFL, proper disposal, and steps to be taken if the CFL is damaged.

Question: What can I compost at home? what should I do?

Answer: Composting is very simple. All you need to start is a little time, a small space, and a basic understanding of the composting process. To learn how to start composting in your backyard, visit Composting at Home.

Answer: The law requires residents to recycle computers, computer monitors, printers and televisions. The following are the main recycling opportunities available.

If you recycle unwanted electronic products, please delete all personal information.

Learn more about electronics recycling in South Carolina.

Question: Where can farmers recycle oil?

Answer: Many county projects accept used oil from farms (25 gallons or less per month) in specially designated collection tanks. To find a collection site near you, please visit RecycleHereSC.

Question: Where can gasoline be recycled?

Answer: Some counties plan to accept gasoline in specially designated collection tanks for oil/gasoline mixtures. To find a collection site near you, please visit RecycleHereSC.

Question: Where can I recycle glass?

Answer: Many projects have given up collecting glass on the roadside, but still provide recycling opportunities in recycling centers. To find out if glass products are accepted in your community, please visit RecycleHereSC. There is no need to remove any tags. Discard the lid. Avoid breaking the glass. Window glass, mirrors, heat-resistant glass, light bulbs, ceramics and water cups cannot be recycled.

Question: How do I properly manage household hazardous waste (HHW)?

Answer: There are multiple options to safely manage these unwanted household products (for example, cleaners, lawn and garden chemicals, pool chemicals, pesticides, stains, varnishes).

Question: Where do I recycle my large household appliances (for example, refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and dryers)?

Answer: Large electrical appliances must be recycled in South Carolina. Most counties accept these items in recycling centers or other designated locations, roadside programs, or single-day collection events. To find recycling opportunities in your community, please visit RecycleHereSC. When buying new appliances, please ask the retailer if they accept old appliances for recycling.

Note: You will need to pay a fee of $2 for each device you purchase. This fee provides local governments with funding for recycling programs and state solid waste management programs. There are no other expenses related to the sale of electrical appliances in South Carolina. According to company policy, retailers will charge additional environmental fees.

Question: Can I recycle my mercury thermostat here?

Answer: The Thermostat Recycling Corporation provides a nationwide program to collect mercury thermostats. To find the location closest to you, visit www.thermostat-recycle.org/zipsearch.

Question: Where can I recycle used oil for the DIY oil change machine?

Answer: DIYers in South Carolina are required by law to recycle their used motor oil. There are more than 900 second-hand oil collection points in South Carolina for DIYers and farmers, including each of the 46 counties in the state. Most of the websites are provided by local governments, but participating retailers such as Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone, NAPA Auto Parts, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Pep Boys, Walmart and Jiffy Lube can also accept used motor oil from DIYers for free. 

To find a collection site near you, please visit RecycleHereSC. To find a retail outlet near you that accepts used motor oil, please visit www.irecycleoil.com. Not all retail locations participate in this program. Call ahead to ask if the service is available

Note: There is a charge of 2 cents per quart of pre-collected oil recovery. The fee is part of South Carolina’s solid waste legislation, which provides grants to local governments for the recycling of used motor oil, oil filters and oil bottles, and the state’s solid waste management plan. There are no other expenses related to oil sales in South Carolina. According to company policy, retailers may charge additional fees.

Question: Where can I recycle the oil filter and bottle?

Answer: Most county and city recycling programs accept used oil filters and bottles. To find a collection site near you, please visit RecycleHereSC.

Question: Where can the oil/gasoline mixture be recovered?

Answer: Most county-level projects accept oil/gasoline mixtures in specially designated collection tanks. To find a collection site near you, please visit RecycleHereSC.

Question: How can I deal with the packaged peanuts that came with the items shipped to me?

Answer: Don't throw them away. Save them and use them when you need to mail a package. If you don't want to do this, some shops that mail packages will accept peanuts and reuse them.

Question: How do I properly dispose of or recycle latex paint?

Answer: Improper paint treatment can damage septic tanks, overload wastewater treatment plants and cause environmental hazards on the ground. Residents have four options to properly manage unwanted latex paint.

Question: How should I properly dispose of or recycle oil-based paint?

Answer: Most experts recommend managing unwanted oil-based paint through household hazardous waste plans or activities. Visit RecycleHereSC to find out what services are available in your community.

Question: Can the pizza box be recycled?

Answer: If your pizza box is not heavily contaminated by grease (soaked in cardboard), it can be recycled. If it is contaminated, please remove the part and recycle the rest of the box.

Question: Where can I recycle plastic bags?

Answer: Food banks always need plastic bags-please consult your local non-profit organization first. Many grocery stores also accept plastic bags for recycling. For a list of stores in your area that accept them, please visit plasticbagrecycling.org.

Question: Where can I retrieve my phone book?

Answer: Most local government recycling programs accept phone books.

Question: Can I stop sending the phone book to my home?

Answer: Yes. To opt-out, please visit the National Yellow Pages Consumer Choice and Exit website.

Question: Where do I recycle unneeded tires?

Answer: Tires must be recycled in South Carolina. All counties accept unneeded tires from residents—usually limited to the minimum number of collection activities at designated locations or in a single day (for example, 5 per day, 10 per month). To find recycling opportunities in your community, please visit RecycleHereSC. Before buying tires, ask the retailer if they accept recycling of used tires. Before sending the tires to the collection center, please consult the county recycling coordinator to find out if there are any restrictions on the number of tires that can be discarded at one time. 

Note: Each tire purchased with a U.S. Department of Transportation number requires a fee of $2. This fee provides grants for local governments to manage unneeded tires. There are no other expenses related to tire sales in South Carolina. According to company policy, retailers will charge additional environmental fees.

Question: Can I reclaim unwanted mail? 

Answer: Most unwanted mail can be recycled. This includes newspaper inserts, glossy postcards, catalogs and other advertisements. 

Credit card applications and other spam emails containing any personal information should be smashed. Most local government programs do not accept shredded paper-so you must discard it. However, some programs offer single-day shredding events that can be recycled. To learn more about the services provided by your community, please visit RecycleHereSC.

Question: How to block unwanted mail? 

Answer: Stopping unwanted emails not only reduces waste, but also helps prevent identity theft. Unwanted emails and identity theft postcards provide contact information on how to block unwanted emails and tips on how to safely recycle emails.