Recycling in Columbia, SC

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Drop Off Locations (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Public Works
  • City of Columbia Public Works is at 2910 Colonial Dr, Columbia, SC 29203 (GPS users should enter 3000 Harden St.). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The city page says electronics can be dropped at Public Works Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · sources disagree.
  • Electronics are not collected curbside in Columbia; state law bars putting computers, monitors, printers or TVs in landfill-bound waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses are pointed to the SCDES business recycling guide instead. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Richland County Recycling Locations (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
  • SCDES lists electronics drop-off at Public Works from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · sources disagree.
  • SCDES: electronics and fluorescent bulbs are accepted at the Public Works facility from City of Columbia residents only. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES lists flattened, dry cardboard (shipping and pizza boxes) in City of Columbia curbside recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: large appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers) are accepted at the staffed centers but not at Clemson Road. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: mattresses and box springs are taken only at the C&D Landfill, limit 2 per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Waste Wizard: Televisions (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Solid Waste (Waste Wizard, ReCollect)
  • Columbia Waste Wizard: televisions have no curbside collection; drop them at the Public Works Facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Waste Wizard: Desktop computers (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Solid Waste (Waste Wizard, ReCollect)
  • Columbia Waste Wizard: desktop computers have no curbside collection; drop them at the Public Works Facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Solid Waste & Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Public Works
  • Columbia Public Works Administration: 2910 Colonial Dr, open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., (803) 545-3780. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Columbia Solid Waste collects garbage, recycling and yard waste within the corporate city limits. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Garbage Collection (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Public Works
  • Yard trimmings and bulk items are collected separately and must not go in the roll cart. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Yard Trimmings (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Public Works
  • Columbia counts bulk items such as furniture, clothing and rigid plastics as part of yard trash collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Waste Wizard: Furniture (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Solid Waste (Waste Wizard, ReCollect)
  • Columbia Waste Wizard: furniture is accepted as bulk waste; a fee may be charged based on a supervisor's assessment. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Waste Wizard files couches, sofas, chairs, tables, mattresses and box springs under Furniture, which is accepted as bulk waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Put bulk items out by 7:30 a.m. on your yard waste day, in a neat pile apart from garbage, recycling and yard trimmings. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Waste Wizard: Mattress (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Solid Waste (Waste Wizard, ReCollect)
  • Columbia Waste Wizard: mattresses are accepted for yard trimmings collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Waste Wizard's Mattress entry also covers box springs. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Waste Wizard: Refrigerator (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Solid Waste (Waste Wizard, ReCollect)
  • Columbia Waste Wizard: refrigerators are not collected curbside; it points to the Richland County Landfill drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Waste Wizard: Washer (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Solid Waste (Waste Wizard, ReCollect)
  • Columbia Waste Wizard: washers are not collected curbside; drain all water and take them to the Richland County Landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Waste Wizard: Dryer (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Solid Waste (Waste Wizard, ReCollect)
  • Columbia Waste Wizard: dryers are not collected curbside; it points to the Richland County Landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Waste Wizard: Tires (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Solid Waste (Waste Wizard, ReCollect)
  • Columbia Waste Wizard: tires are not collected curbside; take them to the Richland County Landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Waste Wizard: Corrugated cardboard (opens in new tab) · City of Columbia Solid Waste (Waste Wizard, ReCollect)
  • Columbia Waste Wizard: corrugated cardboard goes in the blue recycling cart. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Flatten boxes; set the blue cart out by 7:30 a.m. on collection day. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Drop-Off Centers (opens in new tab) · Richland County
  • Richland County drop-off and recycling centers are free for residents; commercial customers pay fees. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Proof of residency is required; items must come from your primary residence, no more than four visits a month. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Caughman Rd. landfill drop-off takes mattresses (only there), furniture, household appliances and playground and exercise equipment. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • E-waste accepted (limit 5): computers, monitors, printers, televisions of all types, phones and fax machines. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Also accepted: scrap metal, automobile tires (limit 5) and latex paint (limit 5 gallons). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Also accepted: automotive or marine lead-acid batteries and rechargeable batteries from computers or hand tools. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Know Where It Goes (opens in new tab) · Richland County
  • Oil-based paint, stains and solvents go to county hazardous materials collection events, not the drop-off centers. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Lexington County Collection and Recycling Centers (opens in new tab) · County of Lexington
  • The centers are for Lexington County residents only (from a primary residence); ID may be required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Electronics are not accepted at the centers; take up to 5 a day to Edmund Landfill or HHW events. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Freon appliances are not accepted at centers; take them to Edmund Landfill, where fees apply. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Lexington County Recycling Locations (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
  • SCDES: the 11 centers collect lead-acid batteries, flattened corrugated cardboard and scrap metal, among other items. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES lists scrap metal among the items the Lexington County centers collect. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tires (car, truck, ATV) are accepted at 7 of the centers, limit 4 per day per household. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: Edmund Landfill takes electronics (computers, monitors, printers/copiers, televisions; limit 5 items), refrigeration units (fee may apply) and tires over 4 (fee may apply). Checked October 26, 2026.
• Solid Waste FAQ (opens in new tab) · County of Lexington
  • Centers take ovens, washers, dryers and similar metal items in the scrap metal container (you lift them in); they can also go to the landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Centers accept up to 4 passenger tires; fees apply above 4. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The landfill accepts refrigerators for a fee; remove food and liquids first. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • TVs, computers and monitors are accepted at the Edmund Landfill and HHW events. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Washers and dryers may also be taken straight to the landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Fees (opens in new tab) · County of Lexington
  • Most residential waste is disposed of at no charge at the centers and the landfill, funded by the Solid Waste Tax Levy. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Non-chargeable residential items include household furniture and mattresses (up to 2 sets or 4 pieces). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tires and refrigerators/Freon appliances are subject to tipping fees. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents must be present and show ID; business, landscaper, contractor and rental-property waste must go to the landfill and pays fees. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Edmund Landfill, Transfer Station, & Compost Facility (opens in new tab) · County of Lexington
  • Edmund Landfill recycles electronics, metal, refrigeration units, tires and white goods, and its C&D landfill takes furniture. Checked October 26, 2026.
• All Donation Centers (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina
  • Goodwill store and donation center at 6642 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia, SC 29209. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Goodwill store and donation center at 2627 Millwood Avenue Suite C, Columbia, SC 29205. Checked October 26, 2026.
• S.C. Code of Laws Title 48 Chapter 60: Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Information Technology Equipment Collection and Recovery Act (opens in new tab) · South Carolina General Assembly
  • Since July 1, 2011, consumers in South Carolina may not knowingly put a covered device (computer, computer monitor, printer or television) in waste headed for a solid waste landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A computer maker may not sell covered computers in South Carolina unless it provides a recovery program at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The maker may use a mail-back system, such as a prepaid shipping label printed online. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Without mail-back, the maker must provide centrally located collection sites or events. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The recovery program must offer to collect covered computer devices bearing the maker's label (its own brand). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Collection events held under the program must accept any covered computer device. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Each maker must describe its recovery program on its website. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Covered computer devices: desktop, laptop or notebook computers and consumer printing devices; TVs and computer monitors are covered by a separate program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A consumer is a household occupant who used the device mainly for personal or home business use. Checked October 26, 2026.
• SCDES: Electronics Recycling: Residents (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
  • SCDES: residents must recycle computers, computer monitors and printers rather than landfill them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • All 46 counties and some cities run electronics collection programs or one-day events; SCDES points residents to RecycleHereSC to see what is accepted locally. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: delete personal data first, and donate working electronics to a nonprofit if possible. Checked October 26, 2026.
• S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab) · South Carolina General Assembly
  • Used lead-acid batteries may not be put in mixed municipal solid waste or discarded except by delivery to a battery retailer or wholesaler, a registered collection or recycling facility, or a permitted secondary lead smelter. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Improper disposal carries a fine of up to $200 per battery. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Anyone selling lead-acid batteries at retail must accept lead-acid batteries from customers at the point of transfer and post a notice saying so. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The required store sign says state law requires the store to accept motor vehicle batteries for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Lead-acid battery wholesalers must also accept batteries from customers at the point of transfer. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Retailers must charge a $5 refundable deposit on each battery sold without a returned core; it is refunded if the core is returned to the same retailer within 30 days. Checked October 26, 2026.
• SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
  • SCDES: lead-acid batteries must be recycled; every county accepts them and most auto parts retailers do too. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: you can recycle your old battery where you buy a new one; with the old battery returned you pay $2 instead of $7 on the new one. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Returning the old battery with a purchase gives a $5 credit, so only $2 is charged. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: rechargeable batteries can be recycled at major retailers (e.g., Lowe's, Best Buy, The Home Depot) that take part in Call2Recycle. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: the Call2Recycle program is free to residents and accepts dry-cell rechargeables up to 11 pounds (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Ni-Zn, Li-ion) and small lead-acid batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
• SCDES: Be Battery Smart - Recycle Right and Safely (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
  • Some participating retailers also take single-use batteries up to 11 pounds (AA, AAA, 9V, C, D, button cells) and small lead-acid batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tape the terminals of button/coin batteries and all lithium batteries before drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): Drop-off Locations (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network
  • Most sites take common household and rechargeable batteries; check each location's details before visiting. Checked October 26, 2026.
• SCDES: Lithium-Ion Batteries (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
  • SCDES: never put lithium-ion batteries in household garbage or recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.