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Public Service - Environmental Services

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1. How do I obtain a residential garbage container?

If you are a new resident to the City of Charleston, you will be issued a garbage container for your household garbage upon request. Please submit an online request with the link listed below or call (843) 724-7311 to request a container. Residential containers are available in three sizes to suit the needs of the customer. Most customers use a 96-gallon container. A record of each assigned container is maintained to control and ensure against container loss.

Request a Garbage Container

2. What is the difference between garbage and trash?

Garbage is defined food, food containers, organic waste, clothing, etc…

Trash is defined as yard waste, such as grass clippings, weeds, twigs leaves, etc…

If you have questions about refuse please contact the Environmental Services Division at (843) 724-7364 or prices@charleston-sc.gov.

3. What cannot be put in the garbage or trash?

Unacceptable waste for single-family residential collection includes hazardous waste (examples include: paint, auto fluids, batteries, and household and pool chemicals), concrete, dirt, sod, sand, plaster, carpet, construction and renovation debris, tires and hot ashes.

Unacceptable waste for commercial and multifamily service includes hazardous waste (examples include: paint, auto fluids, nickel cadmium batteries, and household and pool chemicals), electronics (computers, TVs, etc.), concrete, dirt, sod, sand, plaster, shingles, heavy building materials, hot ashes, tires, fluorescent bulbs and flammable or biomedical waste.

4. What is the holiday garbage and trash pick-up schedule?

During the holiday week, your collection generally occurs one day later than your regular day. You may check the City’s Website (www.charleston-sc.gov) or visit the City’s Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/CityCharleston) for the exact dates your garbage or trash will be picked-up.

Environmental Services Website

5. Where should I place my garbage container on my scheduled day of pick-up?

Place containers within 2 feet of the curb with handle facing away from curb and at least 3 feet from any obstructions such as vehicles, mailboxes, recycling containers, trees, etc.

Garbage should be placed no earlier than 6:00 PM the day before scheduled pick-up and trash shall not be placed earlier than two days before scheduled pickup. Garbage containers must be removed as soon as possible after pickup, but no later than 6:00 PM on the scheduled pickup days.

6. How should I fill my garbage container?

To properly fill your garbage container, please follow these guidelines:

- Drain and wrap or bag wet garbage.
- Nothing should stick out of the top or hang over the sides of the container.
- The lid of your container should close.
- Don't place objects on top of closed lids or in front of containers.

7. How should I prepare my yard waste for collection?

Please prepare yard waste the following ways:

All leaves, twigs, weeds and grass clippings shall be placed in brown paper bags designed for the purpose of leaf and clippings disposal and placed at the curb. It is the responsibility of the resident to provide the necessary bags. Loose leaves and grass placed at the curb in piles will not be collected.

No household garbage may be placed with yard waste for pick-up.

Tree limbs and stumps need to be cut into 4 foot lengths and 4 inch diameter and stacked curbside clear of obstructions.

8. Does the City pick-up bulk items for City residents?

Yes, the City of Charleston collects bulk items, including white goods, for residents on regularly scheduled trash collection day.

Residents shall place bulk pickup with all doors and drawers removed, if applicable at the curb or edge of pavement only on the date and time assigned by the Environmental Services Division. No white goods shall be picked up by the city unless all doors or drawers are removed.

9. My garbage container was vandalized or stolen. What do I need to do?

If your garbage can was stolen or vandalized you need to report it to the Police Department at (843) 577-7434. To order a replacement container, or to report repair/service needs due to vandalism or graffiti, please call (843) 724-7311 or enter an online service request. When calling for service, please give the service address, telephone number, your name and the case number given to you by the Police Department. Please empty and wash out the damaged containers and place them at the curb on the scheduled day of repair.

Garbage Container Lost or Stolen Online Request

10. What is household hazardous waste?

Hazardous wastes are corrosive, toxic, flammable, and reactive substances that present a threat to public health, safety and the environment. Never place hazardous waste in garbage or recycling containers.

The City of Charleston does not collect hazardous waste. Please see Charleston County's Household Hazardous Waste Website for further information on how to dispose of hazardous waste.
Household Hazardous Waste Website

11. Where can I safely dispose of household hazardous waste such as electronics, batteries and paint?

Household hazardous waste (HHW) can harm the environment, especially when disposed of incorrectly. To make getting rid of these materials safe and easy, the Charleston County Environmental Management Department has nine convenience centers where Charleston County residents can drop off their HHW.

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Page

12. How do I dispose of syringes or other sharp items (i.e. – sharps)?

Sharp items or sharps are any discarded article that may compromise intact skin by causing punctures or cuts, including but not limited to, needles, syringes, Pasteur pipettes, lancets, broken glass, razor blades and scalpel blades. Sharps shall be disposed of in accordance with South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control's (SCDHEC) recommended procedures for syringe and sharp disposal.

All sharps shall be placed in an empty bleach, detergent, or other hard plastic or metal bottle or container and labeled with either a premade label that can be obtained for free from SCDHEC or the City of Charleston Environmental Services, or a homemade label with at least three-eighths-inch lettering stating: "WARNING: NEEDLES!" The bottle should then be placed in the garbage container at the top so it is clearly visible to collection crews.

13. What should I do with old electronics such as computers, TVs and microwaves?

The City of Charleston does not collect electronics (E-Waste). Please see our website for detailed information.

Environmental Services Website

14. Where can I dispose of used motor oil?

Used motor oil can be dropped off for recycling Charleston County’ Bees Ferry Landfill located at 1344 Bee’s Ferry Road. You may contact them at (843) 571-0929 or visit their website for disposal information.

Charleston County's Bee's Ferry Landfill Website

15. How can I dispose of junk, old appliances or scrap metal?

The City refers to these items as white goods or bulk items. To dispose of old appliances and large metal items, place them separately at the curb. Please drain hot water heaters and remove or secure all doors on refrigerators and freezers. Junk, furniture and other bulk items can be placed in their own pile at the curb on your collection day. Smaller items (dishes, clothing, etc.) should be bagged on your first scheduled collection day.

16. A professional landscaper has worked on my yard. Who is responsible for the yard waste?

All debris generated within the City by a contractor (tree surgeon, landscaper, etc…) must be removed and disposed of by the contractor - City Ordinance Sec. 14-51.

City Ordinance Section 14-51

17. Does the City remove contractor or builder refuse due to construction?

The city shall not collect refuse, bricks, lumber, mortar, plaster, roofing, guttering, shavings, tree debris and all other like material which is generated by a hired contractor or builder. It is the responsibility of the contractor/builder or owner/resident to remove refuse created by professional construction or renovations.

Construction or renovation refuse which is generated exclusively by an owner or resident on a residential and/or commercial construction, renovation or demolition project shall be collected by the city when the volume of the said material does not exceed ninety (90) gallons per trash collection cycle.

City Ordinance Section 14-51

18. Where can I obtain information on the City of Charleston’s Garbage, Trash, and Refuse regulations?

Please see the City of Charleston’s Garbage, Trash & Refuse Regulations brochure for information. Residential Garbage, Trash, and Refuse Regulations

19. Does the City of Charleston provide recycling services?

No, the City of Charleston does not provide recycling services but we strongly encourage all of our residents and businesses to recycle. Recycling is provided by Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department. Please contact them at (843) 720-7111 for more information.

Environmental Management Website

20. How can I get a blue curbside recycling container?

Please call (843) 720-7111 to request a recycling roll cart or you may request a cart at the link below.

New Recycling Bin Request Website

21. What can be recycled in Charleston County?

The City of Charleston does not provide recycling services but we strongly encourage all of our residents and businesses to recycle. Recycling is provided by Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department.

Generally, Charleston County recycles glass bottles and jars, aluminum, steel cans and aerosols, plastic bottles and containers (no plastic bags, plastic wrap or Styrofoam) and all paper (no shredded paper), paperboard and cardboard.

Please contact them at (843) 720-7111 for more information.

Charleston County Recyclable List