Charleston County, SC Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Set out by
- 7am on collection day
- Clearance
- 3 feet from cars, mailboxes, trees
- Handle direction
- Facing your house
- Tampering rule
- Sec. 10-28 (no scavenging)
- Set-out option
- Night before allowed
Summary
Charleston County residents should set out the recycling roll cart by 7am on collection day (or the night before), keep it at least 3 feet from cars, mailboxes, and trees, with the cart handles facing the house.
It shall be unlawful for any person to rummage through, remove, salvage items from or otherwise scavenge from or tamper with any solid waste container, whether located curbside or at designated drop-off or collection points... The scattering of any of the contents of any solid waste container is also prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
Charleston County Environmental Management's cart guidance directs residents to place recycling at the curb by 7am on their recycling day, or the night before. The cart must sit at least 3 feet away from cars, mailboxes, and trees or shrubbery so the automated truck arm can reach it, with the handles of the cart facing your house (lid opening toward the street). Only accepted single-stream materials go in the cart. It is also unlawful under Sec. 10-28 for anyone to rummage through, scavenge from, or scatter the contents of any curbside solid-waste or recycling container. Municipal residents follow their own town's set-out rules.
Violations & Fines
Rummaging, scavenging, or scattering contents from a curbside container is a misdemeanor under Sec. 10-28; carts not properly placed may be skipped by the automated collection truck.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I put my cart out?
Can someone take items from my recycling cart?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston County
Compare Charleston County to another location·View the South Carolina trash & recycling overview
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