Waste Management in Upstate SC
The Palmetto State is way behind
South Carolina is one of the worst-performing states in the country when it comes to reuse, recycling, or composting.
Landfill is the name of the game
South Carolina has 17 operating landfills distributed across the state, with a high concentration in the Upstate region (7 landfills). Greenville County relies on the Twin Chimneys Landfill, while Spartanburg County relies on the Wellford Landfill.
High Costs & Barely Diverting Anything
In 2023, the Greater Greenville Sanitation District ended its curbside recycling collection because the processing costs were significantly higher than standard garbage disposal. South Carolina has an overall real recycling rate of just 8% (excluding cardboard). The state spends about $21 million on landfilling municipal solid waste, destroying materials valued at approximately $157 million.