Bees Ferry Landfill Compost Facility

The County began composting in 1993. The Compost Facility, located inside the Bees Ferry Landfill, consists of 22 acres, and, in 2008, processed almost 6,900 tons of compost.

How is the compost made?

The County's compost is made from residential yard waste. Municipal yard waste pick-up trucks deliver it to the windrow area where it is grinded into wood chips with a horizontal grinder. The horizontal grinder has 1,000 horsepower and can grind trees up to 12 inches in diameter with relative ease. The wood chips are then piled into rows (called windrows) that are 700 feet long, 12 feet wide and 8 feet high. The rows are spaced far enough apart for a fire truck to come through in case of a fire.

After the windrows are created, they are turned and mixed up regularly with a windrow turner. The rows are also watered regularly in order to maintain optimum moisture. The temperature of the windrows is taken regularly to gauge when to turn the pile. When the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees Fahrenheit, it is time to turn the windrow.

After a year, the material has decomposed enough to screen it with a trommel, which is a screened cylinder that separates the fine, finished material from the oversized pieces of woody waste that is not fully decomposed and plastic bags.

How can I purchase compost?

Charleston County sells compost for $10 per ton and for $2 per bag (1.5 cubic feet) at:

The Bees Ferry Landfill
1344 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston (West Ashley)

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Compost can also be purchase for $2 per bag (1.5 cubic feet) at:

Charleston County Recycling Center
13 Romney Street, Charleston (Downtown)

Hours: Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For questions about purchasing compost, contact the Environmental Management Department at (843) 571-0929.
 

A Big Problem: Using Plastic Bags for Yard Waste

Plastic yard waste bags present a problem for Charleston County's Compost Facility because small pieces of plastic remain in the compost and reduce its quality. Currently, plastic bags are allowed for yard debris in Charleston County but are strongly discouraged. Consider buying paper bags for your yard debris from most home and garden stores. The paper bags will decompose with the rest of the organic materials.