How Lexington County Handles Your Trash and Recycling

Where your trash goes and how to sort it

Lexington County operates a solid waste system that handles both trash and recyclables through separate collection routes and processing facilities. Most households in unincorporated Lexington County receive curbside pickup for regular garbage, and many areas also have curbside recycling programs. The county's solid waste division manages where materials go after collection — some go to landfills, some to recycling facilities, and some to waste-to-energy operations depending on what the material is and which service area you live in.

Your specific collection schedule and what you can put in each bin depends on which municipality or service area covers your address. The City of Lexington, the Town of Irmo, and unincorporated county areas each have different providers and rules. Before setting out bins, check your local government's website or call your waste hauler to confirm pickup days and what materials they accept in curbside recycling.

Recyclables typically include paper, cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles and containers marked #1 through #7, and glass. Items should be rinsed and loose — not bagged — so they can be sorted at the facility. Contamination (food residue, plastic bags, or non-recyclable items mixed in) can shut down sorting equipment and delay processing, so accuracy matters.

Key Takeaways

• Lexington County's solid waste system includes curbside trash and recycling pickup in most areas, with collection schedules that vary by municipality and service provider.
• Recyclables must be rinsed, loose, and free of contamination — bagging recyclables or including non-recyclable items can damage sorting equipment and delay processing.
• The county operates multiple recycling drop-off centers for residents who want to recycle beyond curbside pickup or who live in areas without curbside service.
• Hazardous materials like paint, batteries, electronics, and chemicals require special handling and cannot go in regular trash or curbside recycling.
• Bulky items like furniture and appliances need separate arrangements through your waste hauler or the county's special collection events.

Lexington County's recycling drop-off centers and locations

The county maintains several unstaffed recycling drop-off centers where you can bring materials during posted hours. These centers accept the same materials as curbside recycling — paper, cardboard, metals, plastics, and glass — and are free to use. Locations include facilities in Lexington, Irmo, Cayce, and other areas throughout the county. Hours vary by location, typically ranging from early morning to evening, and some are open seven days a week.

Drop-off centers are useful if you generate more recyclables than your curbside bin holds, if you live in an area without curbside recycling, or if you want to recycle materials between collection days. Materials should still be clean and loose — the same rules apply as curbside pickup. You can find the full list of center locations, hours, and accepted materials on the Lexington County Public Works website or by calling the solid waste division.

What cannot go in regular trash or curbside recycling

Hazardous materials require special handling because they can contaminate water supplies, harm workers at processing facilities, or create safety risks. Paint, motor oil, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, and electronics all fall into this category. Putting these items in regular trash or curbside recycling violates state and federal environmental law and can result in fines.

Lexington County holds hazardous waste collection events throughout the year where residents can drop off these materials for free. The county also partners with retailers — many hardware stores and auto parts shops accept paint, batteries, and oil — so you may have options closer to home. Check the county's website for upcoming collection event dates and locations, or call to ask about year-round drop-off options for specific materials.

Bulky items, appliances, and furniture

Large items like sofas, mattresses, refrigerators, and washing machines cannot go in regular trash carts and are not accepted at drop-off recycling centers. Most waste haulers offer separate bulk pickup service, either included in your regular bill or for an additional fee. You typically schedule bulk pickup by calling your hauler and leaving items at the curb on the designated day.

If your hauler does not offer bulk pickup or you prefer not to use it, Lexington County periodically holds special collection events for bulky waste. These events are free and accept furniture, appliances, yard debris, and other oversized items. Dates and locations change seasonally, so check the county's solid waste website or call ahead to find the next event near you.

Yard waste and composting options

Grass clippings, leaves, branches, and other yard debris are often collected separately from regular trash in Lexington County service areas. Some municipalities offer curbside yard waste pickup on a separate schedule, while others ask residents to take yard waste to designated drop-off sites. Yard waste is typically composted rather than sent to landfills, which reduces methane emissions and creates soil amendments.

If you generate significant yard waste, composting at home is an option many Lexington County residents pursue. The county occasionally offers composting workshops or information about starting a home compost bin. Composting reduces the volume of material you need to have picked up and creates free fertilizer for gardens and landscaping.

Finding your waste hauler and collection schedule

Your waste hauler depends on which city or unincorporated area you live in. The City of Lexington contracts with specific providers, as do Irmo, Cayce, and other municipalities. If you live in unincorporated Lexington County, you may have a choice of private haulers or a county-designated service. Your property tax bill or a notice from your local government should list your current hauler and collection day.

If you are unsure who picks up your trash, contact your city or county government office — they can tell you your hauler's name and phone number in one call. Once you have that information, call the hauler directly to confirm your collection day, ask about recycling options, and inquire about bulk pickup, hazardous waste drop-off, or other services. Many haulers also have websites or apps where you can view your schedule and request service changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put plastic bags in my curbside recycling bin?

No. Plastic bags tangle in the sorting equipment at recycling facilities and can shut down the entire operation for hours. Put loose recyclables directly in the bin, or use a rigid container you remove before placing the bin at the curb. Even compostable bags should not go in recycling.

What happens to materials after I put them in the recycling bin?

Curbside recyclables are collected and taken to a sorting facility where machines and workers separate them by material type — paper, cardboard, metals, plastics, and glass. Each material is then baled or processed and sold to manufacturers who use it to make new products. This process keeps materials out of landfills and reduces the energy needed to make new items from raw resources.

Are there restrictions on what size branches or yard waste I can put out?

Yes, most haulers limit branch size and bundle weight for yard waste pickup. Branches are typically capped at 4 to 6 inches in diameter and bundles at 50 pounds. Check your hauler's specific rules before bundling yard waste, or call to ask about oversized items — you may need to take them to a drop-off center or schedule special pickup.

How do I recycle old electronics like computers or televisions?

Electronics contain materials that are valuable to recover and toxic materials that must not enter landfills. Lexington County holds special electronics collection events, and some retailers accept old electronics for recycling. Call the county's solid waste division or check their website for upcoming e-waste collection dates and locations in your area.

What if my recycling bin was not emptied on collection day?

Call your waste hauler and report the missed pickup — most will return within a day or two to collect it. If the bin was not emptied because it contained contamination or non-recyclable items, the hauler may leave a notice explaining what was wrong. Remove the problem items and set the bin out again on the next scheduled day.