There are many reasons to recycle – economic, environmental, social, and more.

(1) RECYCLING IS AVAILABLE

Each of the state's 46 counties has a residential recycling program. In fact, South Carolina has nearly 70 curbside programs, 535-plus drop-off centers, and more than 900 collection sites for do-it-yourself (DIY) motor oil changers.

(2) RECYCLING PROVIDES JOBS

Recycling supports more than 300 companies and 42,000-plus jobs that comprise South Carolina’s recycling industry.

(3) RECYCLING MAKES A GREEN ECONOMY

Recycling has a $13.5 billion annual economic impact in South Carolina.

(4) RECYCLING SAVES AND MAKES MONEY

Throwing away aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, and other valuable recyclables not only is costly, but also throws away potential revenue from the sale of the wasted material.

(5) RECYCLING TURNS WASTE INTO NEW MATERIAL

Recycling provides the valuable raw material that manufacturers rely on to make recycled-content products.

(6) RECYCLING CONSERVES FINITE NATURAL RESOURCES

Recycling prevents the harvesting of virgin material as well as the resources required to process it.

(7) RECYCLING CONSERVES ENERGY

Reducing the need for raw material also saves the energy required to extract and process it.

(8) RECYCLING MEANS LESS POLLUTION

Reductions in harvesting virgin material and energy use prevent pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

(9) RECYCLING REDUCES LITTER

As much as 75 percent of litter is material that can be recycled. Recycling this material helps protect the environment and wildlife as well as avoid costs associated with clean-up efforts.

(10) RECYCLING REDUCES THE NEED FOR NEW LANDFILLS

Reducing, reusing, and recycling save landfill space by diverting valuable material from disposal.