State environmental officials now have a better understanding about the types and amounts of waste being dumped in South Carolina’s landfills. The findings are reported in a Statewide 91²Ö¿â Characterization Study, released by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES).
A first for South Carolina, the primary purpose of the comprehensive research was to examine the amount by weight and type of municipal solid waste (MSW) discarded by households, businesses and institutionsâincluding materials that potentially could have been recycled or diverted from landfill disposal.
“This study gives us a realistic look at our waste stream and the opportunities there are to make positive impacts on sustainable waste management,â said SCDES Director Myra Reece. âThis data report is essential for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of current efforts as well as for targeting specific materials, increasing diversion rates, and maximizing the lifespan of our landfills.â