Trash & Recycling in Richland County, SC (2026)
8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Richland County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Richland County's curbside contractors will not collect certain waste categories under Sec. 12-29. Dead pets go out only in sealed plastic bags after residents notify Animal Care; all other dead animals, plus discarded building material, dirt, rock, and industrial or hazardous waste, are the property owner's responsibility and never belong at the curb with the roll cart.
Items Not Eligible for Richland County Curbside Pickup
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code § 12-29
(a) Dead animals. Dead animals shall not be collected. Dead household pets shall be collected by the County Department of Animal Care if placed in plastic bags at curbside and if that Department is notified. Proper disposal of all other dead animals shall be the responsibility of property owners. (b) Building materials. The County shall not be responsible for collecting or hauling discarded bui...
Bin Placement Rules
In unincorporated Richland County, roll carts go at the curbside of the nearest public road by 7:00 a.m. on collection day and must be brought back in once emptied or by 7:30 p.m. Keep carts out of ditches and storm drains.
Where to place trash and recycling carts
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code § 12-20
Roll Carts shall be placed at curbside of the nearest public road, no later than 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Roll Carts shall be removed from the curbside by the residents once collection is complete or no later than 7:30 p.m.
Bulk Item Disposal
Richland County will haul away large household items like furniture, mattresses and appliances at no extra charge, but only by appointment under Sec. 12-23. Curbside customers get up to four bulk items per scheduled pickup, and nothing may be left at the curb without a confirmed appointment already booked.
Bulk Item Pickup Rules in Richland County
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code § 12-23
Residential/Small Business curbside collection customers may request, at no extra charge, the pickup and disposal of Bulk Items such as indoor and outdoor furniture, large yard toys, mattresses, etc. by requesting an appointment for pickup. Bulk Items shall only be placed at curbside following a confirmed, scheduled appointment for pickup and shall not remain at curbside indefinitely. Limit of ...
Recycling Requirements
Unincorporated Richland County provides curbside recycling by roll cart under Code Sec. 12-22. Only authorized recyclable materials are accepted, and collectors may refuse contaminated carts. Residents must remove contamination before the next collection to keep service.
Richland County recycling requirements
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code § 12-22
Collection contractors may refuse to collect curbside recycling if the material is found to be contaminated by non-recyclables ... The resident shall remove the non-recyclable material identified as contamination before the next scheduled recycling collection day in order to be serviced.
Illegal Dumping
It is unlawful to dump garbage, debris, junk, appliances, or any solid waste anywhere in unincorporated Richland County except at an SCDHEC-approved landfill (Sec. 12-60). South Carolina's litter law (16-11-700) adds criminal fines that rise with the weight dumped.
Illegal dumping laws in Richland County
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code § 12-60; SC Code § 16-11-700
It shall be unlawful for any person to dump, allow another person to dump, or cause to be dumped any garbage, debris, household trash, litter, junk, appliances, equipment, cans, bottles, paper, trees, tree limbs, tree stumps, brush or parts thereof, or any other solid waste, anywhere in the unincorporated area of the county, except at an SCDHEC approved landfill.
Yard Waste Collection
Richland County collects yard waste separately from garbage at no extra charge, but only within tight size limits under Sec. 12-21. Sticks, hedge clippings and small brush must be neatly stacked within six feet of the road; larger branches up to four inches thick get cut into four-foot lengths and piled at the curb.
Yard Waste Collection Rules in Richland County
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code § 12-21
(b) Yard Waste shall be collected in the unincorporated portion of the County under the following conditions: (1) Yard waste (Sticks, hedge clippings, and small brush) shall be neatly stacked and placed in order to facilitate efficient pick up. A volume roughly equivalent to two (2) roll carts (192 gallons or a pile measuring approximately six feet (6') in length, three feet (3') in width, and ...
Collection Schedule
Richland County runs a single countywide curbside program for unincorporated households, small businesses and duplex-through-quadraplex units under Sec. 12-19. One roll cart is issued per household under the Residential/Small Business Curbside Collection Program, and the annual service fee is billed directly on the Real Property Tax Notice, not as a separate utility bill.
Curbside Trash Collection Service in Richland County
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code § 12-19
Solid Waste collection service shall be provided under the following conditions: (1) Unincorporated areas of the County; (2) Small Municipalities covered by an IGA for solid waste services, and Residential, Single family homes; (3) Residential, Duplexes, Triplexes, or Quadraplexes; (4) Small/home-based businesses located within residential areas; (5) Ancillary facilities located within resident...
Recycling Rules
Richland County's countywide recycling program is mandatory only on the household side of curbside service; for local businesses it stays voluntary. Sec. 12-42 sets the program's four goals, conserving landfill space, promoting economic development, protecting the environment, conserving energy, while Sec. 12-44 leaves commercial recycling to education and voluntary reporting.
Commercial Recycling Rules in Richland County
Light RestrictionsRichland County Code § 12-42(a)-(b), § 12-44
(a) The County shall, consistent with State Law, conduct a program of residential recycling in order to: (1) Conserve Natural Resources and Landfill Space; (2) Promote economic development and security; (3) Protect the environment; and (4) Conserve energy. (b) The County shall also promote and encourage commercial and business recycling. Participation in recycling programs is encouraged and vol...
Trash & Recycling by City in Richland County
1 cities in Richland County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Richland County ordinances
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