Support Us Button Widget

Free composting program in Charleston, SC

Dig into the details.

Screen Shot 2022-12-19 at 2.51.33 PM.png

Sign up for the compost program in Charleston.

Photo by CHStoday

Table of Contents

We’re breaking down the local composting program. On Tuesday, Dec. 20, City Council approved a $287 million budget for the City of Charleston for 2023. The approved budget supports the residential composting program, which will now continue and expand.

This began as a pilot program in 2022 and has since become a regional partnership between the City of Charleston, Charleston County, and the City of Folly Beach.

How it works

Residents can collect food scraps in a sealed container at home, then empty the contents at drop sites below to be composted locally for free.

  • Corrine Jones Park (36 Marlow Dr.)
  • Medway Park (Medway Road, James Island)
  • Ackerman Park (55 Sycamore Ave., West Ashley)
  • Bees Ferry Convenience Center (1344 Bees Ferry Rd., West Ashley)
  • Folly Beach Community Center (55 Center St., Folly Beach)

The scraps are then sent to the Bees Ferry Compost Facility instead of the landfill.

The expansion

The program will expand to include three new locations within the City of Charleston. The city will conduct an analysis to determine the new locations and Daniel Island will be one of them, according to Director of Sustainability Katie McKain. Stay tuned for updates on the timeline.

Why compost?

Composting recycles organic matter into a soil additive that can be used as a natural fertilizer in gardening and agriculture. It saves space in the landfill, protects air and water from pollution, and helps stormwater absorption.

Did you know Charleston area residents throw out over 30,000 tons of food scraps each year? Over 1,000 households have participated in the program in 2022, diverting more than 50 tons of food scraps from the landfill.

Sign up

To sign up to receive training and find out which items are accepted for composting, fill out this form. You’ll also get the lock code for the food scrap carts.

More from CHStoday
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Here’s the need-to-know information. 🗳
This well-known John Ravenel House is located in historic downtown Charleston and is on the market for the first time in almost a decade.
The team behind Pelato says they aim to bring both authentic Italian dishes and traditions to Charleston — the new restaurant will call the former Butcher & Bee space home.
From composting events to feeding farm animals, the City of Charleston offers several sustainable ways to discard your pumpkins.
The Coastal Carolina Fair returns to Exchange Park with concerts, food, exhibits, and rides — use this guide to prepare for your visit.
Fill your candy jar with these locally-made options.
The approval of a tax increment financing district will help fund the high-profile development on the edge of the eastern Charleson Peninsula.
If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some.
Skip the meal prep just this once and treat the little ones to an outing at one of these Charleston spots.
The Steeplechase of Charleston is a horse racing event that takes place about 40 minutes outside of downtown at the Stono Ferry Racetrack.