Do your part!
www.recyclemoresc.org
do your part.
Use this guide to find recycling solutions for your home,
school and business for:
appliances,
bottles,
cardboard,
paper,
computers,
printers,
televisions,
used motor oil,
filters,
cans,
tires,
fluorescent bulbs,
oil bottles and
yard trimmings and more.
Visit www.recyclemoresc.org for more information.
use this guide
Why recycle?............................................. 2
Recycling: The Basics................................. 3
The 40by2020 Partnership is a group of public and private
stakeholders dedicated to sharing knowledge, coordinating
resources and working together to help South Carolina meet
or exceed its 40 percent recycling goal set for 2020.
The RecyleMoreSC campaign is the centerpiece effort of
the partnership. The campaign is designed to reinvigorate
recycling in South Carolina by:
• promoting the economic and environmental benefits of
recycling;
• providing tools to local governments to present a clear,
consistent message across the state; and
• challenging residents, businesses and others to do their
part and recycle more.
The partnership includes Pratt Industries and Sonoco
Recycling as well as PalmettoPride, the S.C. Beverage
Association, the S.C. Department of Commerce and the
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
recyclemoresc
1
Recycling is easy........................................ 3
Recycle right!............................................ 3
Items That MUST BE RECYCLED................. 4
Recycling’s Dirty Dozen............................. 5
Miscellaneous Items.................................. 6
[antifreeze, compact fluorescent
lamps (CFLs), gasoline or gasoline/
oil mixtures, hazardous household
products, mercury thermostats, oil
filters and bottles, paint, rechargeable
batteries, unwanted mail, unwanted
medicine]
Bring your own bag.................................. 8
Doing 6 little things can make
a BIG difference......................................... 9
Recycling at School................................. 10
Recycling at Work.................................... 11
Recycling at Hotels, Motels
and Restaurants...................................... 11
Backyard Composting............................. 12
It’s never right to litter............................ 13
Do your part!
do your part
why recycle?
Although the state’s recycling
rate continues to increase, we
still send about 70 percent of
our waste to landfills. Much
of that material could have
been recycled. That reflects
lost opportunities to lower
disposal costs, earn revenue
from the sale of recyclables,
conserve resources, create
jobs and sustain recycling
businesses.
Here’s why – the three E’s: Energy, the
Environment and the Economy.
We can do better. It all begins
with you.
Recycle more, South
Carolina.
––––––––––––––––––––
BELOW: Workers process recycled
paper at the Sonoco Recycling facility
in Greenville County.
Do your part!
• Recycling saves energy. Manufacturing products from
recycled material uses far less energy than making the
same product from raw material. This makes us less
energy dependent.
• Recycling helps protect the environment. Recycling
conserves resources, prevents pollution by reducing the
need to collect raw material to make new products and
lessens the need to build landfills.
• Recycling plays a significant role in the state’s
economy. South Carolina is home to about 520 recycling
businesses that provide more than 22,000 jobs.
Together, businesses, local governments and individuals
make South Carolina a recycling success story.
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recycling: the basics
recycling is easy.
how does recycling work?
You can find a listing
of all of the recycling
programs in your county
at www.scdhec.gov/
HomeAndEnvironment/
Recycling/Whereto
RecycleLocally/.
Recycling – with the exception of a few items such as
appliances, electronics and lead-acid batteries – is not
mandatory in South Carolina. Recycling is voluntary. Local
governments design and offer programs for their residents
that need your participation to be successful. Recycling will
not work without you.
what can I recycle?
Programs differ from community to community. Most
programs, however, accept aluminum cans, plastic
bottles, steel cans (e.g., fruit, vegetable, soup), cardboard,
newspaper, glass bottles (clear, green and brown). One of
the most important actions that you can take is to find out
what is accepted in your program.
recycle the right stuff.
Recycling starts when you place the correct items in your
recycling container – that is material that is accepted in
your community’s program. Placing the wrong items –
material that is not accepted – increases costs for local
governments and businesses. To learn more, see
“Recycling’s Dirty Dozen” of items that you
should never place in a recycling container.
why can’t I recycle everything?
Markets often determine whether an item is
recyclable in your community. If there isn’t
enough of a given material or the material is too
far away from an available market, then it’s less
likely to be accepted for recycling. In addition,
some material (e.g., Styrofoam) has little value in
the marketplace and may not be cost effective to
collect.
where can I recycle?
You can recycle at home, school, work and on
the go – just about anywhere. South Carolina has
93 curbside programs, more than 640 recycling
drop-off centers and more than 900 used motor
oil collection centers. In addition, recycling is
available at each of South Carolina’s state parks and four
largest airports. Finally, many national retail outlets offer
recycling opportunities for specific material.
recyclemoresc
3
Recycle right!
Don’t forget to rinse cans,
flatten cardboard and leave
Do your part!
the caps on bottles.
items that MUST BE
RECYCLED
lead-acid
batteries
There are several items that by law must
be recycled in South Carolina. If you
have questions on any of these items,
please check with your county recycling
coordinator. You can find a listing of all of
the recycling programs in your county at
www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/
Recycling/WheretoRecycleLocally/.
You can
recycle your
old battery
at a retail
location when
you buy a new
one. If you have
an old battery and
don’t need to buy a
new one, there are two options. Check with
your county recycling coordinator. If your
county does not offer a program, check
with local car dealers and repair shops
to see if they will accept your old
battery.
This link also provides a list of what is
accepted, where it is accepted and who to
call locally for more information.
appliances
(large appliances such as refrigerators, stoves,
washers and dryers)
If you buy a new appliance, ask the retailer
to take back your old appliance. In addition,
each of the state’s 46 counties accepts large
appliances – so check with your county
recycling coordinator.
tires
Each county has a
collection program
that accepts a maximum
number of tires
at recycling
drop-off centers
or landfills.
electronics
All counties provide
programs and/or
single-day events to
recycle electronics.
In addition, many
retailers (e.g., Best
Buy®, TargetTM) offer
collection programs.
Finally, consider
donating
your working
electronics
to non-profits and
other organizations.
Do your part!
used motor oil
There are more than 900
collections sites for do-it-yourself
oil changers. The network
includes local governments,
quick lubes (e.g., Advance
AutoTM) and auto parts stores
(e.g., Auto ZoneTM).
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recycling’s dirty dozen
1
NO Plastic Bags
the facility, contaminating the paper going to
market.
Plastic bags are a
SERIOUS contaminant and jam
sorting machines at recycling
facilities. Plastic bags with a #2
that are clean, dry and empty
may be recycled at participating
grocery stores.
2
7
8
NO Plastic Bags with
Recyclables Either
9
10
NO Scrap Metal
11
NO Hazardous
Household Materials
NO Rope-like Items
Water hoses, holiday lights, leather
belts, etc., should not go in curbside bins or
carts. These items wrap around machines.
Holiday lights can be recycled at some scrap
metal dealers.
12
NO Diapers or
Bio-Hazardous Waste
Syringes and needles, diapers and other
sanitary products ARE NOT recyclable and
pose a risk to workers. Visit www.scdhec.
gov/HomeAndEnvironment/Recycling/
DisposingofNeedles/ to learn how to
properly dispose of syringes
and needles.
NO Flattened Items
Sorting equipment separates “flats”
(paper) from “rounds” (containers). When
containers are flattened, the equipment
mistakenly sends them to the paper side of
recyclemoresc
NO Non-recyclable Glass
Glassware, ceramics, Pyrex baking
dishes, light bulbs, fluorescent lamps, window
glass and mirrors cannot be recycled. These
types of glass often are treated with chemicals
and have different melting points than
traditional container glass (e.g., bottles and jars).
Paint, automotive fluids, household
cleaners and similar materials must
be disposed of properly. Check to
see if your county has a collection
program or offers single-day
collection events. If not, follow the
instructions on the label.
6
NO Liquids or Food
When bottles are compacted
for shipping, liquids drip and
splatter, creating a sticky, smelly
mess. Empty and quickly rinse all
containers before recycling.
NO Shredded Paper and
Other Small Items
Scrap metal – such as steel, brass, iron
and aluminum – cause excessive damage to
recycling equipment. Take scrap metal to a scrap
metal dealer or recycling center.
5
NO Caps/Lids on Glass
Bottles or Jars
Metal lids can be removed and recycled loose in
the bin or cart. Throw away plastic lids and caps
from glass bottles and jars.
Shredded paper and other small items often
become litter before reaching the recycling
center. Once there, they fall through the
cracks of sorting machines, stick to belts and
contaminate properly sorted material.
4
NO Non-recyclable Plastics
Loose plastic lids, Styrofoam® and other
plastic may not be recyclable where you live.
Check with your local recycling program.
Workers have to slow the conveyor belts to
open bags that contain recyclables. These
inefficiencies waste time and money.
3
Never place these 12 ITEMS
in a recycling bin or cart.
5
Do your part!
more reasons
to recycle
• Recycling reduces
waste. The more
you recycle the less
you throw away.
Remember, however,
that waste reduction
is a better option
than recycling and
that most effective
way to reduce waste
is not create it in the
first place.
• Recycling reduces
the need for more
landfills. Recycling
preserves landfill
space by diverting
valuable material
from disposal. In
addition, local
governments and
businesses can save
money on avoided
disposal costs by
reducing waste and
recycling.
miscellaneous items
Some of these items aren’t typically collected in residential
recycling programs. Your local government, however, may
hold special collection events or may be aware of more
convenient recycling options. So check locally first.
antifreeze
Many county programs accept antifreeze. Your local car
dealership, automotive repair shop and quick lube
may offer collection programs as well.
compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
The Home DepotTM customers can give
unbroken CFLs to a store associate at the
customer service desk for recycling. Visit
www.homedepot.com to find a store near
you. Lowe’sTM customers can bring unbroken CFLs
to the recycling center located inside the entrance
at participating stores. Visit www.lowes.com to
find a store in your area. Check with the store
before you go. Not all stores recycle CFLs.
gasoline or gasoline/oil mixtures
Most county programs accept gasoline
or oil/gasoline mixtures at designated
drop-off sites. Visit www.scdhec.gov/
HomeAndEnvironment/Recycling/
WheretoRecycleLocally/ to find a nearby
location.
hazardous household products
(e.g., automotive fluids, pesticides, etc.)
Automotive fluids, cleaners, lawn and garden
products, paint, pool chemicals and other
common hazardous household products
are difficult to recycle. Some counties have
permanent programs while many others offer
single-day collection events. Please visit
www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/
Recycling/WheretoRecycleLocally/ to see what
services are available in your community. If an
unwanted product cannot be recycled, is still
Do your part!
6
recyclemoresc
sold in stores and has a readable label, check to see if a neighbor
or community organization could use it. Otherwise, dispose of the
product by following the directions on the label. Never pour these
products into a drain or storm drain.
mercury thermostats
You can recycle mercury thermostats through a nationwide
program offered by the Thermostat Recycling Corporation.
Please visit www.thermostat-recycle.org to find a
location near you.
oil filters & bottles
In addition to used motor oil, most counties collect
used motor oil filters and bottles from do-it-yourself
oil changers. To find a site near you, please visit
www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/Recycling/
WheretoRecycleLocally/ .
paint
If the paint can be used, try to donate it to a
non-profit, church, theater group or school. Some counties
accept usable latex paint. A few counties also accept oil-based
paint. Visit www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/Recycling/
WheretoRecycleLocally/ to see what services are available in your
community.
Continued on the following page
recycle more paper
Many types of paper can be recycled such as
office, computer and copier paper (staples are OK),
wrapping paper, newspaper and inserts, magazines,
catalogs and paper bags as well as unwanted mail
(see page 7 for ways to reduce your unwanted mail).
But did you know that in some communities you can
recycle many of your food and household goods boxes
as well? Paperboard cartons (e.g., cereal, cracker, pasta
boxes) can be recycled. Some communities also accept
pizza boxes as long as they are not coated with cheese
or grease.
As always, check with your county recycling
coordinator to learn what types of paper and paper
products are collected in your community.
recyclemoresc
7
Do your part!
paint (continued)
If you are unable to donate or recycle your paint, you can
prepare it for proper disposal by completing the following
steps.
• Remove the lid and allow the paint to dry. Make sure
you do this in a well ventilated area away from children
and pets.
• You can add cat litter, shredded newspaper, sand or
saw dust to the paint to speed up the drying process.
Stir occasionally. You can purchase a hardening agent at
your local hardware or home supply store.
• Once the paint is dry, you can dispose of it with your
household garbage.
bring your
own bag
Grocery stores and other
retailers provide about
40 billion single use
paper and plastic bags
to their customers every
year. While many of the
bags are recycled, many
more are thrown away or
become unsightly litter.
rechargeable batteries
Call2Recycle® recycles rechargeable batteries and cell
phones. The following types of batteries can be recycled –
nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH),
small sealed lead (SSLA/Pb), nickel zinc (Ni-ZN) and lithium
ion (Li-Ion). All of these can be recycled at participating retail
stores including Best Buy®, The Home DepotTM, Lowe’sTM,
Radio ShackTM and SearsTM. For a retail location near you,
please visit www.call2recycle.org/locator/.
Here’s one simple way
to go green in your daily
life: bring reusable bags
every time you go to the
store.
Here are a few tips to
help you remember your
reuseable bags.
• Keep bags in
your car, office or
backpack.
• Hang bags on the
front doorknob.
• Make it the first
item on your
shopping list.
Do your part!
8
recyclemoresc
doing 6 little things can make a BIG difference
1
4
Learn about your recycling
program. Then participate.
Shredding services may be
available.
The best (and possibly easiest) thing you
can do is find out what is accepted in
your community’s recycling program. Visit
www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/
Recycling/WheretoRecycleLocally/.
Have some confidential documents? Need
them shredded? Check with local bank
branches. There may be a one-day event
coming up where your documents can be
shredded and recycled.
2
5
Recycle right.
Items like plastic grocery bags,
Styrofoam cups and trays don’t belong in
your recycling bin. Your local grocery store
or big box retailer, however, may accept
them. Ask next time you’re there. To learn
more about what not to place in your
recycling container, see “Recycling’s Dirty
Dozen” on page 5.
3
Be on the lookout for recycling
containers at South Carolina’s 47 state
parks, historical sites and four largest
airports. To learn more about recycling
at South Carolina’s State Parks, please
visit www.southcarolinaparks.com/ourmission/recycling-at-park.aspx.
6
Recycle with retailers.
Recycle at work and school.
Make sure you recycle on the job
and at school, too. Check RecycleMoreSC’s
Resources Page at www.recyclemoresc.
org/resources.htm for more information on
how to get started. Learn more about school
recycling at www.scdhec.gov/library/CR011016.pdf.
Big box retailers and office supply
stores often have recycling options available
for their customers. Ask about any recycling
services they provide for electronics,
electronic media, printer and toner
cartridges, Styrofoam packaging, etc.
recyclemoresc
Recycle on the go.
9
Do your part!
recycling at school
Do your part. If your school does not
have a recycling program, start one.
If your school already recycles, can it
recycle more?
By recycling at school, students, teachers,
staff, administration and parents can
learn not only the basics of recycling,
but of sustainability and environmental
stewardship.
Recycling may help schools and school
districts save money through avoided
disposal costs. Remember, the less you
throw away, the less you should have to pay
to have garbage hauled away. Depending
on what and how much is recycled, there
may be a chance to earn revenue from the
sale of certain collected items (e.g., printer
cartridges and aluminum cans).
The publications on the right can help schools
start recycling programs, begin composting
and organize environmental clubs. To
download a copy of each guide, visit
www.scdhec.gov/recycle.
Do your part!
10
recyclemoresc
recycling at work
Businesses and industry account
for more than 60 percent of
the material that is recycled
in South Carolina.
So, why should your business recycle?
Well, recycling is not only good for the
environment and the economy, but it is also good
for your bottom line. Recycling may save your business
money in avoided disposal costs and can create new revenue
from the sale of recovered material.
The S.C. Smart Business Recycling Program offers free,
confidential and non-regulatory services including:
• technical assistance;
• best management practices;
• research and contacts for potential markets of
material, service providers;
• site visits to assess reuse, waste reduction and
recycling opportunities;
• S.C. Materials Exchange; and
• state recognition program.
To learn more, visit www.scdhec.gov/smartbusiness.
recycling at hotels, motels
and restaurants
don’t forget to
report
Businesses that recycle
are encouraged to report
their activities (what you
recycled and the amount)
to their county recycling
coordinator or DHEC so
that your numbers can be
counted towards meeting
South Carolina’s recycling
goal.
top 10
reasons to
recyclemore
How many do you think
you know? Please visit
www.recyclemoresc.
org/pubs/CR-011122B.
pdf to see the list.
Hotels, motels and restaurants should recycle, too.
The S.C Green Hospitality Alliance provides
resources and technical assistance specifically to
help hospitality facilities go green.
Visit www.scdhec.gov/HomeandEnvironment/
BusinessesandCommunities-GoGreen/
HospitalityIndustryGoGreen/ to get started.
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11
Do your part!
backyard composting
Composting is nature’s way of recycling.
Making compost is a lot like cooking a meal.
You take some basic ingredients, add water,
mix well and let it cook over a given period
of time. You could have finished compost
ready to use in as little as 12 weeks.
Want to get started? Here are some tips.
Five ingredients are required for composting
– space, greens, browns, water and air.
Mixing the proper amounts of these
ingredients will provide the composting
organisms (microbes and insects) with
enough nitrogen, moisture and oxygen to
break down the material effectively.
1. Pick a partially shaded spot in your
yard. You will need an area about 3 feet
by 3 feet that is at least 2 feet from a
structure like your house or a fence. You
can build a compost pile on the ground,
but using a compost bin will help keep
your pile neat and tidy, deter rodents and
help your pile retain heat and moisture.
2. Add greens (e.g., grass clippings,
vegetable scraps). Do not add any meat
or dairy products.
3. Include browns (e.g., wood chips, dry
leaves and twigs, paper).
4. Check the moisture. Too
little moisture will inhibit
the composting process.
Too much moisture will
cause the pile to smell.
Here’s a simple rule
to follow – the
pile should be as
moist as a damp
sponge.
5. Turn, turn,
turn.
Air is
essential.
Turn your pile
once a week
to inhibit
odor-causing
bacteria and speed the
composting process.
Visit www.scdhec.gov/compost
to learn more about backyard
composting.
benefits of backyard composting
There are many benefits to backyard composting.
Do your part!
•
You make less waste.
•
You reduce or eliminate the need for chemical
fertilizer and pesticides.
•
You buy fewer bags for garbage or leaves.
•
You buy fewer bags of compost from retailers
because you make your own valuable product at
home that is rich in nutrients and can be used in your
garden12
and flower beds and on your lawn.recyclemoresc
it’s never right to litter
s.c. litter laws
As much as three-fourths of litter is
material that can be recycled.
• Litter is misplaced
trash or solid waste.
Why does litter matter? Because areas with
litter attract more litter. Neighborhoods with
litter, graffiti and other environmental blights
make residents feel less safe.
Litter negatively impacts economic development and
tourism. The bottom line is clear: people don’t want to
spend money in areas with litter.
More than 80 percent of all litter is intentional. And to
make matters worse, it is estimated that as much as
three-fourths of litter is material that can be recycled
such as bottles and cans.
The No. 1 way to stop litter is to get people to
stop littering.
1. Teach your children not to litter.
2. Set an example for your neighbors.
3. Tell your local governments to make
litter enforcement a priority.
4. Organize neighborhood cleanups and
beautification projects. Clean it up and make it
attractive. People are less likely to litter in an area
that is clean.
Our communities will be safer if they are
cleaner. Visit www.palmettopride.org to
learn how to get involved in the fight for
cleaner communities.
• Littering is against
the law. No person
shall dump, deposit,
discard or dispose
litter or solid waste
on public property,
private property or in
the waters in South
Carolina.
• Cigarette butts are
litter.
• Vehicles carrying
any type of load
MUST SECURE the
items to prevent
them from falling out
and creating litter.
That goes for trucks
or cars.
Want to learn more about recycling in South Carolina? Visit
www.scdhec.gov/recycle.