At Capital Waste Services, we’re passionate about making sustainability simple for our customers. Recycling is one of the easiest ways to protect our environment, but we know it can sometimes feel confusing. That’s why we’ve put together this quick and helpful guide for recycling in South Carolina especially in places like Charleston County, where our customers are doing their part every day.
We also want to remind you that we offer flexible recycling services, with weekly and every-other-week pickup options available to fit your household or business needs.
Here’s everything you need to know to make sure you’re recycling right.
Did You Know?
1 Plastic Bottle Recycled = One Less Threat to Charleston’s Sea Life
A single plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to decompose in the ocean. Sea turtles off South Carolina’s coast often mistake bottles for jellyfish, leading to ingestion and death.
1 Recycled Plastic Container = Cleaner Barrier Islands
80% of ocean plastic starts on land. That means litter on Folly Beach or Sullivan’s Island often washes into the sea.
Recycling helps prevent plastic from clogging Charleston Harbor and damaging oyster beds and marine habitats.
1 Glass Bottle Recycled = Fewer Cuts & Cleaner Beaches
Broken glass is one of the most common hazards found during SC beach cleanups. Glass can be recycled endlessly and turned into new bottles instead of washing up at Isle of Palms.
Bonus Fact: Charleston Sea Turtles and Plastic
Loggerhead turtles nest on South Carolina beaches and plastic waste can entangle hatchlings or block their path to the ocean.
Participating in curbside recycling helps keep beaches clean for nesting season (May–October).
What You Can Recycle In the Charleston SC area with Capital Waste Services
Thanks to Charleston County’s single-stream recycling system, you can toss all accepted recyclables into one cart with no sorting needed. That includes:
Paper Products
Newspapers, magazines, office paper, and flattened cardboard all go in.
Plastic Containers
Plastics labeled with #1 through #7 are accepted. This includes water bottles, milk jugs, and detergent containers.
Metal Cans
You can recycle both aluminum and steel cans, like soda or soup cans.
Glass Bottles and Jars
Clear, green, brown whatever the color, it can go in your cart.
Cartons
Juice, soup, and milk cartons are all recyclable.
Before you toss it in, make sure items are empty, clean, and dry. Rinse out food containers, flatten cardboard boxes, and don’t use plastic bags.
What Not to Recycle
Contamination is one of the biggest challenges in the recycling world, and a few wrong items in the bin can send a whole batch to the landfill. Avoid these:
Plastic Bags and Wraps
They tangle in recycling machines. Use grocery store collection bins for these instead.
Styrofoam
Even clean takeout containers and packaging foam are not recyclable curbside.
Shredded Paper
It’s too small to be properly sorted at the recycling facility.
Tanglers
Items like hoses, ropes, or string lights can jam up the equipment.
Food Waste and Liquids
They can ruin clean paper and cardboard. Always rinse and empty your containers.
Hazardous Materials
Batteries, electronics, and chemicals should go to a dedicated collection site.
And please don’t bag your recyclables. Everything should go loose in your cart so it can be properly sorted at the facility.
Extra Recycling Resources
Charleston County provides several staffed convenience centers for items that shouldn’t go in your curbside cart. These include electronics, scrap metal, tires, motor oil, paint, and more. If you’ve got something tricky, chances are there’s a special place for it.
Recycling Services from CWS
At Capital Waste Services, we make recycling easy and want everyone to find a level of recycling service that fits their needs and their budget. Our customers can choose:
Weekly Recycling
Perfect for larger households or those who recycle often.
Every-Other-Week Recycling
A great option if you have less material to recycle for a smaller household but still want to contribute to our Charleston, SC recycling efforts.
Help Us Keep Recycling Clean and Green
The key to a successful recycling program is teamwork as failure to recycle properly could potentially contaminate an entire load of your neighborhoods recycling. Here’s how you can help:
• Rinse containers and keep items dry
• Never bag your recyclables
• Stick to the accepted materials list
• Share this information with neighbors and friends
When in doubt, throw it out. It’s better to be safe than to risk contaminating an entire truckload.
Together, we can make recycling work for everyone in South Carolina. Thank you for doing your part and trusting Capital Waste Services to support your sustainability efforts. We’re proud to serve you and our environment one clean cart at a time.
Need help or have a question about your recycling service? Reach out to our team any time.
[Link to Charleston location page]
Learn More About Recycling in Charleston County