Proper hazardous waste disposal in Charleston involves taking materials to staffed Charleston County Convenience Centers, as hazardous waste is not collected with regular garbage or recycling services. Common hazardous items include paints, batteries, chemicals, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, and electronics—these should never be placed in regular trash or down household drains.​
Drop-off Locations and Hours
Charleston County provides several staffed drop-off centers for household hazardous waste. Some key locations and their general hours are:
Signal Point Rd. Convenience Center (1723 Signal Point Road, James Island)
Bees Ferry Landfill (1344 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston)
Awendaw Convenience Center (6380 Maxville Road, Awendaw)
Hollywood, Adams Run, Edisto, McClellanville, and Wadmalaw also have County Centers
Most staffed centers are open Monday through Saturday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, but some, like Signal Point Rd., open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.​
Preparation and Safety Tips
Segregate hazardous items (paints, chemicals, batteries, light bulbs, electronics, etc.).
Follow all packaging, labeling, and transport requirements by the drop-off facility.
Never mix chemicals or pour down household drains, as this can harm health and the environment.
For medical sharps (needles), place them in a labeled, hard plastic container before disposal in the garbage as recommended by local authorities.​
Collection Events and Restrictions
Some materials may only be accepted during designated household hazardous waste collection events—check the Charleston County Environmental Management website for schedules and updates. Only Charleston County residents can use these centers; proof of residency may be required.​
If additional help is needed, residents can call Charleston County Environmental Management Department at (843) 720-7111 or check online for more detailed disposal instructions and event schedules.​
SOURCES
[1](https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/environmental-management/hazardous-recycling.php)
[2](https://www.charleston-sc.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=157)
[3](https://specialwastedisposal.com/hazardous-waste-disposal-in-charleston/)
[4](https://des.sc.gov/community/recycling-waste-reduction/where-recycle/charleston-county-recycling-locations)
[5](https://www.charleston-sc.gov/2775/How-to-Recycle-Liquid-Hazardous-Househol)
