A few reminders on how to green up your holiday

Image by Flickr user sdminor81

Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department staff would like to remind all residents that they are here to help citizens make their holidays a little “greener.”

Christmas trees and greenery can be recycled (please remember to remove all tinsel and ornaments). Some municipalities will pick them up curbside, or they can be taken to a convenience center. The trees picked up curbside are transported to the Bees Ferry Landfill to be ground and composted. Residents who drop off a tree at the Bees Ferry Landfill from January 2-9 will receive a free bag of compost.

Cardboard, all mixed paper and commingled products (plastics #1-7, glass containers and aluminum and steel cans) can also be recycled through the curbside program and at the numerous drop-site locations and convenience centers located throughout the county. The convenience centers also accept used motor oil and cooking oil, electronics, household hazardous materials, batteries, paint, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and holiday light strands.

Residents should note changes in the schedule over the holidays. All convenience centers will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24 except for Bees Ferry Landfill, which will close at 2 p.m., and all will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Curbside recycling schedules will not change during the holidays.

For more information on recycling, contact the Charleston County Environmental Management Department at (843) 720-7111 or visit the County website.