Richland County is launching a mission to repair and replace damaged trash and recycle roll carts after an audit of its more than 160,000 receptacles found some were no longer in good working condition.

Beginning June 6, crews will visit homes and businesses served by Richland County Solid Waste & Recycling (SW&R) to repair or replace about 30,000 damaged roll carts. The repair-and-replace project will be done at no additional cost to taxpayers.

“We want curbside trash and recycle collection to be as convenient as possible for residents,” said SW&R Manager Art Braswell. “The roll cart audit helped us identify what carts have been damaged to the point of not working how they should. Replacing or repairing those carts helps us keep collection services operating as smoothly as possible – for us and for residents.” 

Braswell said residents can help prevent damage to their roll carts by properly placing them curbside by 7 a.m. on collection day and removing them from the curb by 7:30 p.m. on collection day. Roll carts that are set unevenly or too close to driveways and roadways are susceptible to being hit by vehicles and create a preventable hazard for motorists.

Roll carts should not be overloaded and are best stored out of direct sunlight, in a dry place.

The roll cart repair and replacement is expected to last through August. Personnel who will be handling the roll carts will wear reflective Richland County vests, have valid IDs and drive vehicles marked with a Richland County decal.

SW&R provides two 95-gallon roll carts – one for trash and one for recycling – to each of its customers. The roll carts are considered property of Richland County, and each one has a unique number that is assigned to its address of service.

For more information, or to report a stolen or damaged roll cart, contact the Richland County Ombudsman at 803-929-6000 or ombudsman@rcgov.us