How Simpsonville Handles Trash & Recycling: A Practical Guide

Simpsonville maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Simpsonville falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Simpsonville Public Works collects household trash and yard waste Monday through Friday on a 5-day route schedule for residents and the core business district. Curbside single-stream recycling was discontinued in 2021.

Key details: Collector: Simpsonville Public Works (in-house). Schedule: Monday–Friday, 5-day routes. Setout time: By 7 a.m. pickup day. Yard-waste bag limit: 25 pounds maximum. Brush limit: ~2 cubic yards per pickup.

Bags over 25 pounds, unbagged trash, or non-conforming containers are not collected; residents must correct and set out on the next scheduled day.

Recycling Requirements

Simpsonville discontinued curbside single-stream recycling in 2021 due to contamination and rising fees. Residents now recycle at drop-off sites, including 110 Woodside Park Drive and Greenville County convenience centers.

Key details: Curbside recycling: Discontinued in 2021. Reason: Contamination, rising fees. Now: Voluntary drop-off only. Main drop-off: 110 Woodside Park Drive. County sites: Greenville County centers.

No penalty — recycling is voluntary; there is no curbside recycling service or recycling mandate in Simpsonville.

Bin Placement Rules

Place the black Simpsonville cart at the curb by 7 a.m. with the front facing the road and at least 3 feet of clearance from vehicles, mailboxes and other objects. Do not park vehicles in front of the cart.

Key details: Setout time: By 7 a.m. pickup day. Cart facing: Front toward roadside. Clearance: 3 feet from objects. No parking: Keep vehicles away from cart. Bulk items: 3 ft from curb, 5 ft from obstructions.

A cart that is blocked, facing the wrong way, or has less than 3 feet clearance is skipped; the resident must re-set it on the next collection day.

Bulk Item Disposal

Simpsonville collects bulk items and white goods without an appointment during the first weeks of May and October; place materials curbside before 7 a.m. Monday. Refrigerator doors must be removed, and most electronic waste is not collected.

Key details: Cleanup weeks: First weeks of May and October. Setout: Curbside before 7 a.m. Monday. Appliances: Remove refrigerator doors. E-waste: Not collected; drop-off only. Large TVs: >50" by appointment only.

Items set out outside the May/October cleanup weeks, mixed with yard waste, or not prepped (e.g., refrigerator doors left on) may be left uncollected.

Illegal Dumping

Dumping litter or solid waste on public or private property is illegal statewide under SC Code 16-11-700, with fines starting at $25 and rising to $1,000-plus for large loads. Simpsonville Code Enforcement also cites illegal dumping locally.

Key details: State statute: SC Code 16-11-700 (litter). Small dump (≤15 lbs): $25–$100 + service. 15–500 lbs: $200–$500 fine. Over 500 lbs: $500–$1,000, up to 1 year. Local enforcer: Simpsonville Codes Enforcement.

SC Code 16-11-700: $25-$100 (≤15 lbs), $200-$500 (15-500 lbs), or $500-$1,000 and up to one year (over 500 lbs), plus mandatory community service and cleanup.

The Bottom Line

Simpsonville's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Simpsonville is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Simpsonville's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.