South Carolina Considers Waste Flow Control Prohibition Law

The South Carolina legislature is considering two bills that would prohibit waste flow control in the state.

Senate Bill 514 and House Bill 4721 both void any previous ordinances that restrict or prohibit waste disposal at any permitted solid waste management facility, according to the bills. It also applies to any impediment of public or private implementation of a recycling program. The senate bill specifies county flow control restrictions that affect disposal or recycling outside the county.

The house bill was passed out of the Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee Feb. 23.

The proposed “Business Freedom to Choose Act” would overturn a Horry County flow control ordinance that directs all waste collected inside the county to the county landfill in Conway, said Lisa Bourcier, public information director for the county, in an e-mail.

The county passed a resolution opposing the bills, saying it would hurt the county’s ability to provide a comprehensive solid waste management program for residents.

The city of North Myrtle Beach, which resides in Horry County, also opposes the bills.