Recycling Centers in South Carolina: 216 Locations

Recycling in South Carolina

South Carolina lists 216 recycling centers across 104 cities, including county convenience centers, scrap processors, e-waste drop-offs, and private buyback operations. The state's primary environmental agency overseeing solid waste is the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (formerly the Department of Health and Environmental Control, DHEC, renamed under 2026 legislation). Recycling is governed chiefly by the South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act, codified at Title 44, Chapter 96 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which sets a statewide recycling goal of at least 35 percent of the municipal solid waste stream (measured by weight) and requires every county or regional authority to maintain a recycling program. South Carolina does not have a bottle-deposit law.

Recycling infrastructure clusters in the Midlands and Upstate regions. Columbia leads with 20 centers, followed by Sumter with 9, Lexington with 7, and Greenwood, Aiken, Lancaster, Georgetown, and Winnsboro each listing 5 centers. Neighboring North Carolina and Georgia likewise have no bottle deposit, so residents rely entirely on curbside and drop-off options.

Under the Solid Waste Policy and Management Act, three material streams receive separate management requirements rather than standard landfill disposal: waste tires (Section 44-96-170) must be collected, processed, or recycled through permitted facilities, with tire retailers required to participate in take-back programs; used oil (Section 44-96-160) must be collected and, for facilities handling more than 6,000 gallons annually, directed to energy recovery — motor-oil retailers must accept used oil returns; and yard trash (Section 44-96-190) must be composted or mulched by counties rather than sent to a landfill. White goods (refrigerators, washers, and appliances containing CFC refrigerants) also require separate management under Section 44-96-200. South Carolina does not have a dedicated e-waste or electronics recycling mandate under state statute as of this writing.

Top Cities by Number of Centers

Columbia 20 Sumter 9 Lexington 7 Aiken 5 Georgetown 5 Greenwood 5 Lancaster 5 Winnsboro 5

All Cities in South Carolina

Abbeville 1 center Aiken 5 centers Allendale 1 center Anderson 4 centers Awendaw 2 centers Barnwell 2 centers Beaufort 2 centers Belton 1 center Bishopville 2 centers Blackstock 1 center Blair 1 center Bluffton 1 center Bonneau 1 center Camden 1 center Cayce 2 centers Charleston 3 centers Chester 1 center Clover 2 centers Columbia 20 centers Conway 1 center Darlington 2 centers Dillon 1 center Dorchester 1 center Duncan 2 centers Eastover 2 centers Edgefield 1 center Edisto Island 2 centers Elgin 3 centers Enoree 2 centers Fair Play 1 center Florence 3 centers Fort Mill 1 center Fountain Inn 1 center Gable 1 center Gaffney 1 center Gaston 3 centers Georgetown 5 centers Graniteville 4 centers Great Falls 1 center Greenville 3 centers Greenwood 5 centers Greer 3 centers Hardeeville 1 center Hartsville 2 centers Hilton Head Island 1 center Honea Path 1 center Hopkins 1 center Irmo 1 center Iva 1 center Jackson 1 center Jenkinsville 1 center Johnston 1 center Kingstree 2 centers Lancaster 5 centers Laurens 1 center Leesville 1 center Lexington 7 centers Little River 2 centers Loris 1 center Lugoff 1 center Lyman 1 center Manning 1 center Mayesville 1 center Mccormick 1 center Moncks Corner 2 centers Murrells Inlet 1 center Myrtle Beach 2 centers Newberry 2 centers North 1 center North Augusta 1 center North Charleston 1 center Olar 1 center Orangeburg 4 centers Pageland 1 center Pelion 1 center Pendleton 1 center Piedmont 2 centers Prosperity 1 center Ridgeland 1 center Ridgeway 2 centers Rock Hill 3 centers Round O 1 center Salem 1 center Saluda 1 center Sc 160 Fort Mill 1 center Seneca 4 centers Simpsonville 2 centers Spartanburg 4 centers St Matthews 1 center Starr 1 center Summerton 1 center Summerville 2 centers Sumter 9 centers Union 1 center Wagener 1 center Walterboro 2 centers Ward 1 center Wedgefield 1 center Wellford 2 centers West Columbia 4 centers West Union 1 center Whitmire 1 center Winnsboro 5 centers York 5 centers

Recycling in South Carolina — FAQ

Does South Carolina have a bottle deposit?

No. South Carolina does not have a bottle bill or container-deposit law. Beverage containers are recycled through curbside pickup and county drop-off programs. Statewide, 216 recycling centers across 104 cities accept recyclables; Columbia has the most options with 20 centers.

What materials can't go in South Carolina landfills?

The South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (Title 44, Chapter 96) requires separate management for waste tires, used oil, yard trash, and white goods — these materials may not be disposed of through standard landfill channels. Tires must go to a permitted tire-processing or recycling facility; used oil goes to a collection center or energy-recovery site; yard trash must be composted or mulched.

How do I recycle electronics in South Carolina?

South Carolina does not have a state electronics recycling mandate, but many county convenience centers and private drop-offs accept computers, televisions, and other electronics. Check your county solid-waste department or search this directory for e-waste collectors near Columbia, Sumter, or Aiken.

Where are the biggest recycling hubs in South Carolina?

Columbia is the largest hub with 20 centers, reflecting its role as the state capital and most populous city. Sumter lists 9 centers, Lexington has 7, and Greenwood, Aiken, Lancaster, Georgetown, and Winnsboro each list 5 centers across the state's 104 cities.