For a long time the trash produced by the residents of Charleston was sent to the North Charleston incinerator. Recently the Charleston County Council decided that they would be discontinuing the use of the incinerator. What went into this decision? Part of it is money. Having all of that trash transported to the incinerator is expensive. The major reason behind the decision, however, is that Charleston County officials are hoping to increase the area's recycling by as much as forty percent.

Don't think of it as "going green" or "giving in to the environmentalists." Think of this new development as "the incinerator is gross, expensive and, in the long run, recycling is better for everyone." Of course, this change is not going to happen over night. Your trash will still be picked up tomorrow as the Charleston County Council has given itself ninety days to figure out just how to transition from "just toss it, it'll get sent to the incinerator" to "uh, aren't you going to recycle that?"

Locals insist that, if the Charleston officials want recycling to increase, they need to make it easier for residents and business owners to do so. Right now, it costs more to hire a company to pick up the recycling than it should. Of course, there are other ways to recycle something that do not involve simply tossing it into the recycling bin! Here are a few ways you can cut down on your waste and save on Charleston trash pickup and recycling costs:

1. Look for ways to reuse things. Milk cartons make excellent bird feeders, soup cans are excellent pen holders and old jars can be reused as cups, glasses and even flower vases! With some craftiness, your old containers can be re-imagined into home décor!

2. Look for creative recycling options: all of those crafts mentioned in the first hint? Why not donate your containers to Charleston elementary schools and day care centers? These are places that are always looking for ways to save money on crafting materials. Sure the teachers can ask kids to bring in their own supplies, but they also like having extras on hand for those kids who forget. Ask your local school district what kinds of materials it might be willing to accept.

3. Okay, this one, technically isn't recycling—but it can still cut down on how much you toss out. You know all of that scrap paper you accumulate? Junk mail, old grocery lists, etc? Instead of simply tossing it into the recycling bin use it again! If you have a blank side, that paper can be used as scratch paper again. Once both sides have been scribbled on, why not use it as fire kindling during the colder Charleston winter? You don't need to go out and buy fire starters if you have enough paper to wad up and stuff under the wood!

With some creativity you can cut down on your own costs and help the city and county of Charleston save money as well!
 

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