Columbia, SC Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Section 19-39(a) sets the baseline: retail and commercial establishments not required to have bulk containers use roll carts instead, with the city furnishing one per establishment and letting a business purchase a second. Once a business generates more refuse than two roll carts can hold, it "must convert to bulk container service as specified by the director of public services," and "all waste generated by a business must be contained within the two roll carts" until that conversion happens.

For businesses that lack a rear entrance for service, § 19-39(b) authorizes curbside placement only within a defined window: "Business and commercial establishments having no accessible rear entrance may place refuse roll carts or bulk containers at curbs in front of the business establishment between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.," and any container put out that way "must be removed by 9:00 a.m. following collection." Section 19-39(c) adds a separate charge for disposing of used appliances, furniture, tires and shipping materials once they exceed normal containerization, billed by weight, type, size or quantity at the director's determination. Bulk containers themselves carry a signage mandate under § 19-41(b): they must display "No Parking-Towing Enforced" or similar wording in letters at least four inches tall in a contrasting color on the approach side, with parking enforcement left to the business receiving the service.