Greenwood County, SC Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Section 8-1-12 makes it unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to throw, dump or cause to be dumped garbage, refuse, rubbish, litter, junk, appliances, equipment, cans, bottles, paper, lumber, trees, tree limbs or brush anywhere in the unincorporated area of the county, except as permitted by county rules or at the county sanitary landfill. An exception in subsection (b) allows dumping sand, dirt, broken bricks, blocks, pavement, lumber, trees, limbs or brush on private property when the material creates no nuisance or health hazard, the property owner consents, and health department requirements are met.

Subsection (c) creates a presumption: if dumped material is traced to a person, firm or corporation, that identification is prima facie evidence they committed the dumping. Subsection (d) separately bars throwing refuse from a motor vehicle and holds the driver responsible when litter is thrown. Section 8-1-15 assigns enforcement to county environmental control officers and other law enforcement officers. Section 8-1-16 sets the penalty: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $100.00 or up to 30 days' imprisonment, with each day of violation a separate offense; courts may substitute at least five hours of supervised litter-gathering labor, and every conviction carries an additional $25.00 fee funding supervision of that labor. The county may also seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction against repeat violators under section 8-1-16(d).