S.C. State Agencies Recognize Recyclers for Achievements

The South Carolina Recycling Market Development Advisory Council and the South Carolina Department of Commerce have recognized the achievements of five recycling businesses for their impact on South Carolina’s environment, communities and economy. The companies were highlighted during the 2009 Recycling Business Forum that was recently held.

The following businesses were recognized for achievements in recycling:

Best Small Recycling Business – Ever Green Recycling Company LLC, Greenville. Ever Green Recycling, which collects paper, cardboard, aluminum, plastic, glass and electronics, has partnered with more than 50 businesses to develop and implement recycling programs and provide recycling services. The company has recycled over 250 tons of materials in the past year and is a member of South Carolina’s Recycling Industry Group, U.S. Green Building Council and other local environmental organizations. 

Best Medium Recycling Business – Hahl Inc., Lexington. Hahl recycles cardboard, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, paper and fluorescent light bulbs.  Nearly 80 percent of scrap produced by Hahl’s extrusion department is recycled. Hahl reduced the amount of solid waste disposed of in landfills to 70 tons in 2009 compared to 195 tons in 2008. The company has established a goal to further reduce the amount of materials sent to landfills for 2010.

Best Large Business – Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island. Kiawah Island Golf Resort recycles office paper, glass, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, electronics, pallets, batteries, florescent light bulbs and oyster shells. Damaged automobile, golf cart and bike tires are also collected and sent to a rubber recycler. The Resort holds electronic recycling drives and collects pallets for recirculation back to the shipping industry. Gravel in the parking lots is made from slag, a by-product of the steel industry, and room keys are made from 50 percent recycled polyvinyl chloride. Unused cell phones and empty printer cartridges are collected and donated to local schools or sold to recycling companies. The resort also has a small-scale, educational compost bin that handles animal bedding, vegetative food prep and plant material from landscaping.

Best Reuse Program – Sea Island Habitat for Humanity- Deconstruction Unit, Johns Island. Sea Island Habitat for Humanity – Deconstruction Unit diverted over 94 tons of usable materials from the landfill. The Sea Island Habitat for Humanity’s staff handles both the deconstruction and removal of building materials and accessories, as well as housing a reuse store. Work on 93 construction projects had a direct estimated value of over $119,000. 

Recycler of the Year – Santee Cooper, Moncks Corner. During fiscal year 2009, Santee Cooper recycled more than 970,000 tons of materials including paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, used motor oil, fluorescent tubes, consumer electronics, gypsum, fly ash, ferrous metals, wood products, lead-acid, alkaline and rechargeable batteries. Santee Cooper’s Give Oil for Energy Program began in 1990 and has more than 450 do-it-yourself collection sites.

The following companies were also recognized for their waste reduction and recycling efforts: Tomato Palms, Sun Printing, AnMed Health, Southeastern Plastics Recovery and Tomato Vines.