Charleston County Charleston County convenience centers and Bees Ferry

Who can use the convenience centers

Charleston County Environmental Management runs eight staffed convenience centers. Since November 1, 2024, the rules have been:

• Residents only. Show a government-issued photo ID with a Charleston County address. A utility or tax bill with a matching county address is accepted alongside the photo ID.
• No commercial loads. Businesses and contractors may use only the single-stream recycling area.
• Big vehicles need an appointment. Double-axle trailers, box trucks and moving vans must book ahead at 843-720-7111.
• No scavenging. Taking items from the bins can cost you your privileges and a fine under county ordinance.

Dropping off is free for individual residents. The county funds the centers through its annual user fee on the property tax bill.

Pro tip if you just moved here and your license still shows your old address, bring a utility or tax bill with your new Charleston County address along with your photo ID.

Locations and hours

These hours come from the county's November 2024 rules flyer. The county's web page also shows some Sunday and Wednesday afternoon hours and, in another spot, says the centers are closed Sunday. Call 843-720-7111 before you plan a Sunday trip. The Romney Street center is listed as closed.

What goes where: the zones

Each full-service center is split into zones. Sort your load before you go and it will take a few minutes, not an hour.

Zone 2 does not take shingles, bricks, cement, stucco, boats, cars, gasoline, tires, plastic bags, household garbage, animal carcasses, empty gas cans, fireworks or hazardous waste.

Limits on tires, tanks, wood and limbs

• Tires: up to 4 per visit, one visit a week, rims off. No commercial or tractor-trailer tires.
• Propane tanks: up to 2 per visit, emptied and handed to staff. Helium tanks and fire extinguishers also go to staff.
• Wood: pieces going into the compactors must be under 48 inches.
• Tree limbs: under 72 inches long and 24 inches across. Bag leaves in paper bags, not plastic, and leave out loose dirt or mulch.

Signal Point Road on James Island is not full service

Signal Point Road is the closest center for many James Island residents, but it takes far less. It does not accept household garbage, yard waste, bulky items and construction debris, scrap metal, appliances or propane. The James Island Public Service District sends residents there for electronics, motor oil and batteries. For a couch, a mattress or a refrigerator, go to a full-service center like Bees Ferry Road.

Bees Ferry Landfill

The Bees Ferry Landfill shares an address with the Bees Ferry Road convenience center: 1344 Bees Ferry Rd., Charleston, phone 843-571-0929. The landfill and the convenience center are run separately, and the landfill has its own hours and fees. We couldn't confirm those on the county's site, so call the landfill before you take a large load or a commercial load there.

Do you live in the county or in a town?

The convenience centers are open to every Charleston County resident, whether you live in a city, a town or an unincorporated area. Curbside pickup is a different matter: it depends on where you live.

• Cities and towns like Charleston, North Charleston and Mount Pleasant collect bulky items at the curb.
• In unincorporated areas, curbside service is optional and paid. The county's vendor since July 1, 2023 has been Trident Waste & Recycling (843-576-5050). Residents who skip it can use the convenience centers for free.

When it's easier to hire a hauler

The centers are free, but you do the lifting, loading and sorting, and you need a vehicle that can carry the load. If the item is heavy, the load won't fit in a pickup, or you'd need a box truck and an appointment, a junk removal crew can take it straight from where it sits.

Frequently asked questions