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Compost Logo

Compost Program

Buy Compost

Food Waste Composting

Backyard Composting

Compost Calculator

Click on the link above to find certified compostable foodservice products.

Table to Farm: Recycle Your Food Scraps Into Compost

You've heard about farm to table, but what about table to farm?

Food scraps generated from local restaurants can be composted to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment that area farmers can apply to their crops. Local restaurants can complete the composting loop by purveying from local farmers.

 
Wild Olive
Butcher & Bee
Bohemian Bull
Food Scrap Composting for Restaurants

FAQS

Q. How does the program work?

A. Restaurants and other food waste generators can reduce their impact on our environment by composting food waste. Residents and farmers can close the loop by purchasing the compost.

  1. Participating food waste generators, such as restaurants and grocery stores, place their food and other acceptable waste items in specially marked collection containers located throughout the kitchen and food preparation areas.
  2. Food waste collection companies provide collection of your organic waste for a fee. Food Waste Composting Flier..
  3. McGill Environmental Systems receives and process incoming food waste, ensures quality of the finished compost product, and markets the compost material. .

Q. What can I compost?

A.

Accepted food waste and organic material:

  • Cooked meats and fish, including shells and bones
  • Egg and dairy products
  • Food preparation scraps and plate scrapings
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Bread, dough, bakery items, pasta and grains
  • Coffee grounds, coffee filters and tea bags
  • Consumable liquids
  • Wooden skewers and cocktail sticks
  • Food-soiled paper, for example:
    • Kitchen paper towels
    • Paper napkins
    • Waxed cardboard and paper bags
  • Compostable serve ware

Not accepted in food waste deliveries:

  • Raw meat or fish
  • Butcher wastes, trimmings or renderings
  • Oils, fats or grease
  • Plastic of any type, for example:
    • Plastic bags or food wrap
    • Produce baskets or netting
    • Plastic or latex gloves
  • Foil, wire or rubber bands
  • Painted or treated wood, metal or glass
  • Non consumable liquids

Accepted vs. Not Accepted Food Waste

Q. How do I start a food waste composting program at my business?

A. Charleston County Government does not collect or haul food waste directly, but has collection partners listed below. For fees and services options, you should contact each hauler directly.

Carolina Waste Services
Scott Fennell
(843)576-1100
carolinawaste.com

SMART Recycling US, LLC
(888)304-6912
smartrecyclingus.com

Compost Now
(919) 283-3627
compostnow.org

Republic Services
Dave Mitchell
(843)266-6199
republicservices.com

Q. How did the County's program get started?

A. Charleston County's Food Waste Composting Program began on September 1, 2010 when the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control approved Charleston County Environmental Management Department's request to implement a 12-month Food Waste Composting Pilot Program, the first such project in the state; 1,859 tons of food waste were processed under the pilot program. The County, having successfully completed the pilot program, received an operating permit, effective June 6, 2012, to process food waste.

Q. Where is the food waste processed?

A. Food waste is processed at the County's Bees Ferry Compost Facility by McGill Environmental Systems.

Q. Why should my business participate?

A. Composting food waste supports Charleston County Council's 40% recycling goal and allows the Environmental Management Department to receive an economic benefit through the sale of finished compost product. Compost may be purchased by the bag or in bulk at the Bees Ferry Landfill Compost Facility.

Your business can reduce the user fee charged by the County's Revenue Collections Department by participating in the County's Food Waste Composting Program. Revenue Collections currently charges businesses $172 per cubic yard of garbage service.

For example, an 8 cubic yard garbage dumpster serviced once per week has a user-fee charge of $1,376 per year. Reducing the size of the container by taking advantage of Charleston County's recycling and Food Waste Composting programs could reduce the amount of your business's user fee bill. Reducing the dumpster by 2 cubic yards to a 6 cubic yard dumpster and by diverting recyclables and food waste could save a business $344 in yearly user fee charges (less any food waste collection costs).

Food waste recycling is not only good for the environment - it's also good for your business's bottom line.

How To Start A Food Waste Recycling Program

Q. What other resources does CCEM offer?

A. Call the Charleston County Recycling Center for customer service support at (843)720-7111.

Resources

Accepted vs. Not Accepted Food Waste

How To Start A Food Waste Recycling Program

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Municipalities

City of Charleston
City of Folly Beach
City of North Charleston
City of Isle of Palms
Town of Awendaw
Town of Hollywood
Town of James Island
Town of Kiawah Island
Town of Lincolnville
Town of McClellanville
Town of Meggett
Town of Mount Pleasant
Town of Ravenel
Town of Rockville
Town of Seabrook Island
Town of Sullivan's Island

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