PalmettoPride and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services Receive National Recognition for Recycle Here SC Mobile App

Columbia, SC (March 5, 2025)—This February, PalmettoPride and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) received the Innovation Partnership Award at the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) Annual Conference for their collaboration on the launch of the Recycle Here SC mobile application. The award recognizes state agencies that demonstrate exceptional efforts in fostering partnerships with state and local KAB affiliates.

Launched in November 2024, the Recycle Here SC app consolidates information for South Carolina residents on what, where, and how to recycle various items across the state. As South Carolina’s leading anti-litter organization, PalmettoPride has long collaborated with SCDES to promote recycling as a key strategy to reduce litter. Providing clear information on how and where to dispose of trash and recyclables is essential to tackling litter in our communities. It is estimated that 75% of litter consists of recyclable materials. Instead of polluting roadways or occupying landfills, these materials can instead help subsidize South Carolina’s $13.5 billion recycling industry. While both organizations continue to encourage South Carolinians to recycle, educating residents on how to recycle correctly is equally important.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with PalmettoPride to make the Recycle Here SC app a reality and put important recycling information at the fingertips of South Carolinians,” said Myra Reece, SCDES Interim Director. “We’re grateful for this recognition that spotlights how collaboration can help South Carolina make advances in recycling education and awareness that will benefit our residents, businesses, communities and environment.”  

Despite the existence of over 500 drop-off centers and 77 curbside programs across the state, there are significant differences in what materials are accepted at each location. This inconsistency can confuse residents and lead to contamination, a challenge that recycling programs nationwide face. The Recycle Here SC app is the first approach of its kind to address this issue, making recycling more convenient and accessible than ever for South Carolinians.

“This award highlights the power of collaboration and what we can achieve when we work together to keep South Carolina beautiful. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the support of agency partners to convey our mission to a statewide audience,” said PalmettoPride Executive Director Sarah Lyles. “We are honored to receive this recognition alongside SCDES and are grateful for their continued support.”

Funding for the Recycle Here SC app was provided through the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, awarded to SCDES. Additional funding and support were provided by PalmettoPride and the South Carolina Beverage Association. PalmettoPride oversees the Keep South Carolina Beautiful (KSCB) program, the state’s KAB affiliate. Currently, there are 38 certified and two pre-certified affiliates in South Carolina within the KSCB network. For more information, contact info@palmettopride.org. 

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 Created as a legislative initiative to help beautify our state, PalmettoPride fights litter in South Carolina by inspiring prevention through education, supporting enforcement, connecting community groups to resources, and mobilizing volunteers.