department of public works
Recycling A to Z
Resources for all kinds of recyclables
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC)
A
Aerosol Cans
Completely empty contents, and remove plastic cap. Place in your recycling
container.
Aluminum Cans
Place in your recycling bin or drop cans off at the Stone Avenue Recycling
Center.
Architectural Salvage
Habitat for Humanity: 864-298-0099
Appliances
The City of Greenville collects appliances at the curb for City garbage
customers.
Please call 864-467-4345.
- Goodwill Industries: 864-351-0100
- Habitat for Humanity: 864-298-0099
- Miracle Hill Ministries: 864-242-6931
- Salvation Army: 864-235-4803
Asphalt
Ashmore Brothers: 864-879-4298
King Asphalt, Inc.: 864-855-0338
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B
Baby Gear Recycling
Babyearth.com
Batteries
All battery types are accepted at the Stone Avenue Recycling Center
Lead-acid: Car and boat batteries are accepted at the Stone Avenue Recycling
Center
Ni-Cd: Rechargeable batteries found typically in power tools, cordless and cell
phones, battery-powered toys, and camcorders can be deposited at the Stone
Avenue Recycling Center.
Check also:
- Radio Shack
- Circuit City
- Wal-Mart
- Sears Repair Services
Bicycles
Bikes for the World
Books
Please deposit books into the mixed paper container at the Stone Avenue
Recycling Center. The following organizations also accept books:
- Goodwill Industries: 864-351-0100
- Habitat for Humanity: 864-298-0099
- Miracle Hill Ministries: 864-242-6931
- Salvation Army: 864-235-4803
- Greenville Literacy Association 864-467-3456
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C
Cameras and Disposable Cameras
Drop off one-time use cameras at the photo-finishing specialist near you. This
type of camera is 100% recycled!
Carpet/Carpet Pad
Good Carpet:
- Habitat for Humanity: 864-298-0099
- Miracle Hill Ministries: 864-242-6931
Old Carpet:
- Lafarge North America 843-462-7141
- Southeastern Plastics Recovery 843-308-5800
Cartridges
Copier, Fax, Laser, Toner: Please recycle at the Stone Avenue Recycling Center,
or at these retail locations:
- Office Depot
- Office Max
- Staples
Chemicals
Hazardous Waste Management Companies
- Carolina Environmental Assoc Inc.: 800-848-2324
- Hazpro: 864-848-1312
- Safety Klene: 316-252-1483
For additional information on chemical disposal, contact the local DHEC office
at 241-1090.
Clothing and Accessories
Clothes can be donated to charitable organizations such as:
- Greenville Rescue Mission: 864-242-6933
- Safe Harbor: 864-467-1177
- Goodwill Industries: 864-351-0100
- Miracle Hill Ministries: 864-242-6931
- Salvation Army: 864-235-4803
- Habitat for Humanity: 864-298-0099
- Green Karat - recycle
your old jewelry
- Donate dresses for out-of-work mothers:
www.dressforsuccess.org
Coat Hangers
Dry cleaners may accept wire coat hangers for recycling. Check the yellow pages
for listings.
Compact Disks and cassettes
Please drop off CDs, CD cases, cassettes and cassette cases at the Stone Avenue
Recycling Center. Many local record and book stores purchase used CD's. Check
the yellow pages for listings.
Computer Disks
Floppy disks can be recycled at the Stone Avenue Recycling Center.
Computer Equipment
See Electronics
Concrete and Construction Waste
- ACE Environmental: 864-947-8100
- Pavement Products and Services: 864-233-1990
- Concrete Recycling 864-579-3734
Construction Waste: DHEC Center for Waste Minimization
DHEC helps facilities improve their environmental performance through sustainable
environmental initiatives.
More info
Corrugated Cardboard
Flattened cardboard with all debris removed can be placed at the curb for
pick-up, or can be delivered to the Recycling and Environmental Education Center
on Stone Avenue.
Cardboard can also be reused for multiple crafts.
More info
Corks
Whole Foods is partnering with CorkReHarvest.org to recycle corks.
DHEC Center for Waste Minimization
DHEC helps facilities improve their environmental performance through sustainable environmental initiatives.
More info
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D
Disposable Cameras
See "Cameras"
Drywall
www.drywallrecycling.org
E
Egg Cartons
Paper cartons can be placed in your curbside bin or taken to the Stone Avenue
Recycling Center. Styrofoam cartons can be taken to Publix Grocery Stores,
where recycling bins are set up outside the front doors. Another option is to
donate them to schools or churches for reuse.
Electronic Equipment and Scrap
Special Notice: Electronics Ban in Effect Beginning July 1, 2011:
It is against the law to dispose of COMPUTERS, COMPUTER MONITORS, TELEVISIONS and
PRINTERS (as well as parts of any of these items)
in a recycling or trash container.
For more information about this new law, S.C. Code of Law, 48-60-90, and ways to lawfully recycle the electronics listed above, visit
www.scdhec.gov/e-cycle.
City Electronics and Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Day
Radio Shack Electronics Trade In and Recycling Program
Walmart Electronics Trade In and Recycling Program
Guide to Recycling Electronics and Scrap
throwplace.com
sharetechnology.com
www.ThinkGreenFromHome.com
Office Depot Tech Recycling Program
Interconnection Computer Recycling and Reuse
Please call local companies such as: EPSI 864-847-7700, Clean Lites
864-503-9900, the
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency.
Contact the Goodwill Computer Store in Simpsonville for refurbishing and
recycling options. Goodwill computer drop-off locations can also be found at the
Blackberry Valley, O'Neal, Piedmont and Enoree County-run convenience centers.
To contact the County Solid Waste Division, please call 864-297-8558.
Donation: Some public schools, churches, and non-profit organizations accept
some used computer equipment for reuse. You will need to call to confirm prior
to delivery. For more information on electronics recycling:
Eyeglasses
Donate used eyeglasses to the Lions Club at the Recycling and Environmental
Education Center, 800 East Stone Avenue , Greenville. Check the yellow pages
under "Opticians" for additional listings.
-
LensCrafters, Verdae Blvd., Greenville: 864-676-1122
- Haywood Mall: 864-234-7200
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F
FedEx Envelopes
Tyvek (or FedEx) envelopes can be recycled free by calling Dupont at
1.866.338.9835 or logging onto
www.tyvekenvelopes.com. Dupont will send a recycling pouch with a
preaddressed label so you can easily mail it back in.
Film Canisters (including lids)
The following retailers accept film canisters for recycling:
- Wal Mart
- Wolf Camera Stores
Fire Extinguishers
Contact your local fire department for more information. Also, see
chemicals.
Fluorescents
www.lamprecycling.com
www.usalamp.com
Clean Life Recycling South, Inc. (CRI): 864-503-9900
Hughes Supply Inc., Greenville: 864-233-0580
EPSI: 864-847-7700
Fleece - Polartec
patagonia.com/recycle
Fluorescent Bulbs
Should be recycled with household hazardous waste recycler due to the mercury
content in these lights. Or contact a local fluorescent bulb recycler such as:
- Clean Lite Recycling South, Inc. (CRI): 864-503-9900
- Hughes Supply Inc. Greenville: 864-233-0580
- EPSI: 864-847-7700
Information on advantages of fluorescents, disposal, etc
www.energystar.gov
www.productstewardship.us
www.ThinkGreenFromHome.com
Foam Packaging
EPS National Mail-Back Option
If there is no EPS recycling in your community please send it via U.S. Postal
Service or other carrier to the address below. Average shipping fees range from
$1.50-$9.00 based on the total packaging weight. To maximize your EPS recycling
efforts via the mail-back option we recommend the following:
1. Make sure the EPS is clean and free of any plastic film, loose parts or
glued-on cardboard.
2. To increase the amount of EPS in each shipping container, it can be easily
broken or cut into smaller pieces so that more foam can fit in individual boxes.
AFPR will also recycle the corrugated boxes used to ship the EPS.
3. When shipping EPS biomedical coolers simply tape the top and bottom pieces
together with shipping tape and apply the label and postage directly to the EPS.
An outer, corrugated box is not necessary.
4. AFPR does not accept extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam including meat trays,
cups, egg cartons or other disposable foodservice items for recycling.
5. Prepare shipping label and affix postage for delivery to:
Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers
1298 Cronson Boulevard, Suite 201
Crofton, MD 21114 USA
6. To facilitate shipping from home, the
United States Postal Service (USPS) provides numerous options for
printing labels and/or postage using online resources. This convenience also
allows you to have the shipment picked up by your local USPS carrier as outbound
mail.
EPS can be identified by the number 6 plastic resin identification code. Many
types of foam plastic are not clearly marked; if you have questions please
contact AFPR at (410) 451-8340 for clarification. To obtain information about
other recycling opportunities, including foodservice, rigid durable goods and
other plastics, please check the
U.S. & Canadian Recycled Plastic Markets Database. For loose fill
"peanut" recycling please call the Peanut Hotline at 800-828-2214.
The information contained herein is subject to change and is provided without
any express or implied warranty as to its truthfulness or accuracy. The Alliance
of Foam Packaging Recyclers does not endorse the products or processes of any
individual manufacturer or recycler.
Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers
1298 Cronson Boulevard, Suite 201
Crofton, MD 21114 USA
(410)451-8340 (phone)
Contact
Freon
Should be recycled with Household Hazardous Waste.
Furniture
- Goodwill Industries: 864-351-0100
- Miracle Hill Ministries: 864-242-6931
- Salvation Army: 864-235-4803
- Habitat for Humanity: 864-298-0099
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G
Gasoline, Diesel Fuel
Recycle at Blackberry Valley Convenience Center - check
www.greenvillecounty.org
for more information
Glass
Bottles and Jars ONLY: Items can be recycled by putting them in your curbside
bin. You can also recycle these items at the curb or at the Stone Avenue
Recycling Center . Food containers only are accepted - please remove caps and
rinse thoroughly.
Not Accepted: Ceramics, plate glass, drinking glasses, light bulbs. Including
these items can ruin an entire load of glass!
Greeting Cards
Old greeting cards can be reused. The Stone Avenue Recycling Center accepts old
greeting cards.
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J
Junk Mail
Stop junk mail and unwanted catalogs by writing "Return to Sender"
and placing back in the mail or contact the sender and ask them to remove you
from their list.
You may also write directly to:
Mail Preference Service/Telephone Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
PO Box 90008
Farmington , NY 11735-9008
Click here to download a
mailing card.
ADVO - System, Inc.
Director of List Maintenance
239 West Service Road
Hartford , CT 06120-1280
Customer Service Department
National Demographics and Lifestyles
Denver , CO 80202
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K
Kids and the Environment
General environmental information/activities:
http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/
http://www.planetpals.com/index.html
http://www.knowitall.org/
http://www.mrwizardstudios.com/
mrwizardsworld_mainpage.htm
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/index.cfm
Recycling/Waste Reduction Specific:
http://www.tappi.org/paperu/all_
about_paper/earth_answers/earthAnswers.htm
http://www.recycling-revolution.com/recycling-benefits.html
http://www.scdhec.net/recycle/html/pubs.html
http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htm
http://www.meetthegreens.org/sitemap/#episodes
Wildlife/Ecology:
http://www.nwf.org/kidzone/kzPage.cfm?
siteId=3&departmentId=107
http://pbskids.org/backyardjungle/info/plant_survey.php
http://www.enature.com/home/
Energy:
www.energystar.gov
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy_fungames/index.html
Litter:
www.palmettopride.org
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M
Magazines
Many local churches, elementary schools, health clubs, doctor's offices
and hospitals will take magazines in good condition. You may recycle magazines
at the curb or at Stone Avenue Recycling Center.
Medical Waste
Not available at this time. Contact your local DHEC office at
241.1090 or
www.safeneedledisposal.org. Also see
Syringes.
Donate unused medications:
www.aidforaids.org
Mercury Containing Materials
see
Batteries, or
Fluorescent
Bulbs
USA Lamp Pre-paid Recycling Program
www.energystar.gov
www.productstewardship.us
Thermostats:
www.nema.org 800-238-8192
www.ecolights.com
206-343-7443
www.4pipp.com
610-955-7634
Mercury and Hazardous Waste Recycling
LEI (Lamp Environmental Industries)
Metro Zeal, 866-676-3066
Thermostat Recycling
800-238-8192
Metals
see
Scrap Metal
Mixed Paper
A mixture of papers including cardboard, newspapers, office paper,
envelopes, cereal and cracker boxes, magazines, phone books, file folders. Mixed
paper is accepted at the curb or at the Stone Avenue Recycling Center.
N
Newspaper
Place in recycling bin at the curb or at any the Stone Avenue
Recycling Center.
O
Office Paper
Residential: Place in recycling be at the curb or at the Stone
Avenue Recycling Center.
Oil
Cooking Oil: Collect and allow to solidify, place in trash. Please do not
pour into drain.
Motor Oil: Do-it-yourselfers can take used oil to any of the County
Convenience Centers
www.greenvillecounty.org
or to a local automotive retailer such as:
Advance Auto
Jiffy Lube
Auto Zone
Pep Boys
Wal-Mart Supercenter
Tractor Supply Company
O'Reilly Auto Parts
Remember, never pour used oil on the ground, into sewer drains, into surface
water or ground water. Improper disposal of used oil is against the law in South
Carolina. For more information on proper disposal of used oil, contact DHEC at
800-768-7348.
Oil Filters
Can be recycled at one of the County Convenience Centers.
www.greenvillecounty.org.
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P
Packaging
Packing peanuts: are reusable at your local UPS Store. They may also take
large foam blocks and bubble wrap.
FedEx Envelopes
Tyvek (or FedEx) envelopes
can be recycled free by calling Dupont at 1.866.338.9835 or logging onto
www.tyvekenvelopes.com. Dupont will send a recycling pouch with
a preaddressed label so you can easily mail it back in.
www.terracycle.net
Styrofoam Packaging:
- "Peanuts" and smaller foam pieces are accepted at shipping/mailing stores
- Be sure your "peanuts" aren't the biodegradable type which you can put in flower
beds and vegetable gardens or in your compost pile as they are cornstarch-based
- Publix supermarkets accepts clean foam meat trays and egg cartons for recycling.
Look for the green bins outside the stores. Please consider buying eggs in
fiber-based containers as they are much easier to recycle.
- Post-industrial expanded polystyrene isn't economically or environmentally
feasible to recycle due to the cost and storage time to gather a truckload
quantity in addition to driving the load across the country to a market.
- For a nominal fee, you can ship your expanded polystyrene to the Alliance of
Foam Packaging Recyclers
www.epspackaging.org/info.html
Paint
Please DO NOT leave paint at the Stone Avenue Recycling Center.
Check the resources listed below or check for opportunities with
Greenville County Solid Waste Division.
Many charitable organizations will take good used paint. Check with you
local schools, churches, theaters, and Habitat for Humanity prior to disposal.
When disposing of your paint, the content must be dry. To properly dry the
contents, add sand or kitty litter to the liquid and place into your garbage
cart.
Visit
paintrecycling.org
to register your nonprofit for free paint from the National Council on Paint
Disposition. This group will try to connect you with a local retailer who has
excess inventory.
Pallets
Pallets are recyclable. Please check yellow pages for additional
listings. Call 467-8300 for additional vendors.
- Henson's Inc: 828-859-5836
- Pallet Solutions: 864-895-2145
Paper
(See
Mixed Paper,
Office Paper)
Use canvas bags when shopping to avoid those extra bags from the grocery
store. Many grocery stores sell canvas and mesh bags at a reasonable price. A
canvas bag will hold more items, will not break and scatter your groceries, and
the handles make the bags much easier to manage.
Pesticides
Purchase less toxic products when available, and only the amount
you need. Do not overuse the product. More is not better. Donate unused portions
of pesticides to neighbors, churches, and community groups.
Phone Books
Recycle phone books in your recycling bin at the curb or at the Stone Avenue
Recycling Center drop-off or convenience centers.
Photographic Chemicals
Don't contaminate our drinking water by pouring chemicals into your
drain.
Plastic
Plastic Bags
Please return your plastic bags to your local supermarket for recycling!
- Retail bags (hard plastic and string handles removed)
- Plastic newspaper bags
- Plastic dry cleaning bags
- All clean, clear bags labeled with a #2 or #4
Note: Please ensure that all plastic bags are clean and dry. Please remove
receipts.
Do NOT include the following. The following are considered film
contaminants:
- NO Food Wrap (e.g., Saran Wrap®)
- NO Film (bags) that has had direct contact with food or organic material
- NO Film that has been painted or glued
- DO NOT INCLUDE Any other bags or films
Plastic Containers
Plastic bottles and jugs are accepted at the curb or at the Stone
Avenue Recycling Center. For other containers, please check local listings.
Plastic Newspaper Bags and Grocery Bags are NOT accepted in curbside bins or at
the drop-off centers. Reuse grocery bags for storage or for trash can liners.
Grocery bags can be recycled at your local grocery store.
Polystyrene and Polyethylene
Recycled at:
- Plastics Reclaim: 864-421-0402
- The Bean Bag Boys, Inc: 803-356-0326
- Polymer Recovery Group: 704-391-2470
- Trademark Corporation: 879-1186
Propane Tanks
Rhino Recycling
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S
Scrap Metal
City solid waste customers can put all scrap metal and appliances at the curb
for recycling. Call 467.4345 to arrange pickup. Non-City customers can call the
following vendors or check the yellow pages for the most updated listings:
- Norris Iron & Metal: 864-232-4490
- CRG 864-294-4608/800-225-2898
- Dixie Iron & Metal 864-232-4490
- Greer Metals 864-879-3936
- M & M 864-363-5440
Shoes
Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe Program: Athletic shoes can be recycled in to playgrounds,
running tracks and basketball courts. Ship old and defective shoes of any brand
to:
Nike Recycling Center
c/o Reuse A Shoe
26755 95th Street
Wilsonville , OR 97070
Also, shoes in wearable condition should be donated to one of the following:
- Greenville Rescue Mission : 864-242-6933
- Safe Harbor : 864-467-1177
- Goodwill Industries: 864-351-0100
- Miracle Hill Ministries: 864-242-6931
- Salvation Army: 864-235-4803
- Habitat for Humanity: 864-298-0099
Check out these recycled footwear donation programs:
http://www.recycledrunners.com/
Smoke Detectors
Photoelectric smoke detectors are not hazardous to the environment and can be
disposed of in the trash. However, ionizing smoke detectors should be returned
to the manufacturer. If you are unsure which type you have, return it to the
manufacturer.
Soap
Global Soap Project
Sports Equipment
Good used sporting equipment can be donated to local churches, schools, and
civic organizations.
Play it Again Sports: 864-268-2407
Steel Cans
Steel cans may be placed at the curb or at Stone Avenue Recycling Center.
Styrofoam
See
Packaging
Syringes
Presently, there is no program for recycling syringes. Please contact your
health provider for disposal options or purchase Sharps containers to
participate in the mail-back program.
Otherwise, please place your needles in a thick plastic container such as a
detergent jug, tightly screw the cap back on and tape the top to the neck and
body of the container. Throw this container into your garbage and place the bag
into your cart, NOT your recycling bin. Please help keep City employees safe by
using this practice.
www.safeneedledisposal.org
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T
Textiles
Also, see
Clothing.
J. G. Thompson Enterprises: 828-453-0034
Tires
Rimless tires used on cars, motorcycles, vans and small trucks will be collected
at the curb. However, no large truck tires, farm equipment tires or other heavy
equipment tires will be picked up. Please call customer service at 467-4345 for
pick-up.
Toner Cartridges
Please refill or recycle your cartridges at the Stone Avenue Recycling Center .
Also check local office supply stores for recycling options.
TVs, Televisions
See Electronics
Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers through the Terracycle and Colgate Oral Care Brigade.
Terracycle Information
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W
Wood Waste
See Construction Waste.
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Y
Yard Waste
May be placed at the curb for collection on your regular garbage day. The yard
waste is ground into mulch at the Enoree Landfill and is made available to
residents of Greenville County free of charge. Please call 297-8558 for pickup
dates and times and availability of the mulch.
Composting is an alternate way of using yard waste. Please call 864-467-8300 for
more information.
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