Recycling Efforts Reported by State Agencies Colleges & Universities (publicly funded)

Where MSW goes in SC Recycled 1,551,365 tons Landfilled 3,235,738 tons Incinerated 224,919 tons

MSW Recycling & Disposal Goals & Rates Recycling Goal –Goal:35 percent –Actual: 31 percent Disposal Goal –Goal:3.5 pounds per person per day –Actual:4.4 pounds per person per day

S.C. Solid Waste Policy and Management Act says: All state agencies shall procure products and materials with recycled content. It is the goal of the General Assembly for state agencies to reflect a 25 percent goal in their procurement policies. Section (E).

The challenge of tracking recycled-content data – would require changes to current system Add a new data field in procurement data information system.

The challenge of tracking recycled-content data – would require changes to current system Consider an electronic catalog of environmentally friendly products linked to an automated shopping system OR place symbols in printed and electronic catalogs as well as electronic shopping systems to identify recycled-content products.

The challenge of tracking recycled-content data – would require changes to current system Automatically substitute recycled-content products when filling orders for copier paper and other widely available recycled content products.

Record Keeping Using a tracking form enables organization to measure growth and success of ‘green purchasing’ program

S.C. Solid Waste Policy and Management Act also says: No later than September 15 th of each year, each state agency and state supported school of higher learning shall submit to [DHEC] a report detailing its…recycling program and a review of all goods and products purchased during the previous fiscal year…containing recycled materials. Section (E).

Reports submitted in FY07 Sixty-one state agencies reported on their efforts Twenty-four state-supported schools submitted a report

By the Numbers: In FY07, more than 17,000 tons of material were recycled by state agencies as well as colleges and universities.

The No. 1 material recycled by state agencies as well as colleges and universities was office paper, followed by cardboard.

In regards to buying recycled content products, copy paper was the No. 1 item, followed by recycled-content toner and/or ink-jet cartridges. Of those who responded, 57 percent of state agencies and 69 percent of colleges and universities reported purchasing recycled copy paper.

State Agency and Colleges & Universities Recycling Report for FY07 and click on Resource Center (to the left).

More Information: Elizabeth Rosinski DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling fax: