Environmental Management

About CCEM

Charleston County Environmental Management (CCEM) manages the collection of recycling and disposal of solid waste at the Bees Ferry Landfill. CCEM provides education and outreach to inform communities about proper solid waste disposal practices and procedures. CCEM has five divisions: Compost, Collections, Landfill, Material Recovery Facility (MRF), and Programs. These divisions manage specific tasks, including: collection, disposal, environmental enforcement, recycling and educational programs.

All residents of Charleston County are provided solid waste and recycling services by the County.

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Functions

• Solid Waste Management
• Recycling Administration and Education
• Landfill Management
• Material Recovery Facility Management
• Compost and Mulch Operations
• Curbside and Convenience Center Collection
• Environmental Enforcement

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Responsibilities

• Provide a residential recycling program servicing curbside collection to approximately 130,000 single family homes, with 16 drop site locations and 8 staffed convenience centers located primarily in the rural areas of the county. Curbside service occurs every two weeks.
• Provide a commercial business recycling program for qualified Charleston County businesses. Covered by the user fee, the program offers a weekly service (Monday through Friday).
• Provide a multi-family recycling program that is offered to apartment complexes, condominium complexes, and townhome communities. A weekly service is available and recycling roll carts and/or recycling dumpsters may be used on the property for collection of recycling from residents.
• Provide special event recycling equipment and education, including the rental of recycling collection bins.
• Provide school recycling programs and equipment to Charleston County schools in coordination and partnership with Charleston County School District (CCSD).
• Manage and operate the Bees Ferry Landfill, a 312-acre site with designated areas for debris brought in by local municipalities, and the Bees Ferry Compost Facility. Yard waste and commercial food waste are composted at this location by McGill Environmental Systems.
• Operate Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection and electronic waste collection at the 8 Convenience Center locations.
• Offer a paint re-blending program with re-blended paint for sale at $10 per five-gallon bucket at the Bees Ferry Road Convenience Center.
• Provide public information and community outreach to educate Charleston County residents on the department's programs and services.
• Enforce the county beautification (nuisance) and illegal dumping ordinances by investigation of violations and citizen's complaints in the unincorporated areas, Ravenel, Meggett and Public Service Districts.
• Oversee bidding and contract administration, in cooperation with the Charleston County Procurement Department, of rural franchise curbside collection of garbage, dry trash and yard waste in the unincorporated areas of East Cooper, Johns Island and the northern part of the county.