Charleston County News Release

Release Number: 3214

Date: January 21, 2011

County Initiates Single-Stream Recycling Pilot Program

Residential pilot program includes approximately 4,600 homes across the County

Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department announces a new effort to increase curbside participation in recycling through a Single-Stream Recycling Residential Pilot Program.

Approximately 4,600 homes will participate in the pilot program throughout selected neighborhoods of Mount Pleasant, James Island, North Charleston and West Ashley. Staff selected neighborhoods in different areas throughout the County with both low and high recycling participation rates, and then met with their representatives to ensure they were interested in joining the pilot program.

This week, residents of the selected neighborhoods are receiving either 95-gallon or 65-gallon roll-carts for all their recyclable materials to begin using immediately. Charleston County crews will begin collecting on Monday, Jan. 24 and collection days will remain the same.

In the pilot program, residents will put paper products (including cardboard) and commingled containers (plastics, glass, aluminum and steel) together in the new roll-cart. This process is known as single-stream recycling. The County currently operates a dual-stream recycling system whereby residents separate their recyclables into two bins, but this will temporarily change for pilot participants.

“Not only is single-stream recycling easier for residents, it enables neighborhoods to stay cleaner and neater with the use of larger, closed-top carts,” said Nancy Carter, Charleston County Environmental Management Department’s Community Representative. “Our goal is for non-recyclers to begin participating in the curbside program and for current participants to recycle even more.”

Collections personnel will use special automated trucks equipped with mechanical arms to lift and empty the roll-carts at the curb. Because the driver does not have to exit the vehicle and repeatedly lift heavy bins, the process is faster, more cost-effective and safer. 

“During the six-month pilot program, we will document variances in participation rates and tonnages diverted from the landfill as a basis for future, County-wide solid waste program recommendations,” Carter said.

For more information on the Single-Stream Recycling Residential Pilot Program, contact the Charleston County Environmental Management Department at (843) 720-7111 ext. 21, or visit recycle.charlestoncounty.org.