If reducing food waste and recycling the right way are among your New Year’s resolutions, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) says it has tips that can help.
And the first tip they suggest is also the easiest — downloading their free Recycle Here SC app, which puts everything you need to know about Palmetto State recycling in the palm of your hand. The app was launched in November in conjunction with Palmetto Pride and the S.C. Beverage Association.
“While our web-based tool that provides recycling information has been extremely successful, this new app – which is one of the first of its kind nationwide — will make access to recycling information more convenient, reduce confusion, and lessen contamination of recyclable materials,” said Myra Reece, SCDES Interim Director. “This app will also support South Carolina’s efforts to achieve a goal of recycling 50% of the state’s municipal solid waste by 2030.”
According to SCDES, these additional tips will have the biggest impact on the success of your recycling:
- Make sure you’re recycling right. When items that can’t be recycled turn up in bins, the whole load has to be thrown away. To make that doesn’t happen, learn what goes in which bin by using the new app.
- Make special arrangements for hard-to-handle items. While certain kinds of hazardous waste like lithium-ion batteries can be recycled, they cannot be placed in bins. For assistance with these items, visit SCDES’s webpage about hard-to-manage items or call 1-800-768-7348.
- Keep things clean. Items for recycling should be empty and reasonably clean. No liquids, food or residue belong in the recycling bin.
- Reduce the volume. To support local recycling efforts, take proactive steps to reduce household waste and reuse items when possible.
“We can all take steps to reduce the amount of household waste that’s created,” said SCDES’s Richard Chesley. “Proper recycling and food waste reduction also supports SCDES in its everyday mission of protecting and preserving our state’s air, land water, and coastal resources now and for future generations.”
For more information on local recycling programs, proper recycling tips and food waste reduction, visit des.sc.gov/recycling. —Jack O’Toole
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