Suspension of Curbside Recycling
Due to the increasing costs and proven ineffectiveness of curbside recycling, the City of Clemson will suspend curbside collection of recycling effective Monday, August 1st, 2022.
Why is Curbside Recycling Being Suspended?
The National Waste & Recycling Association estimates that at least 25% of recyclable material in single-stream recycling (which includes curbside recycling) ends up in landfills due to contamination. Single-stream recycling is more convenient but makes sorting difficult when materials are mixed together and plastics are co-mingled. This also increases the likelihood of contamination, which is why China banned US Recyclables a few years ago.
The result is a steady and steep increase in the cost of recycling, even though a significant amount of this recycling ends up in the landfill anyway.
What Alternatives Are Available?
Residents will still be able to drop off their recycling at the City of Clemson’s brush grinding facility located at 1155 Old Central Road. Pickens County also offers several facilities throughout the county, including one at 600 Chastain Rd in Central, SC. These locations utilize a dual stream method of recycling, which greatly reduces the chance of contamination and therefore fewer of these materials end up in the landfill anyway. The City will also be providing information on reducing and reusing, which are much more effective means of lowering your carbon footprint.
What About My Recycle Bin?
The City will not be collecting the recycle bins, so you will be able to use these to transport your household recycling to these other locations.
What About Cardboard Pickup?
At this time, the City will continue to do curbside pickup of cardboard by work order only.
For more information, visit the City website at www.clemsoncity.org or contact the Public Works Department at 864-653-2053.