Greenwood Struggles with Growing Trash Problem, New Ordinance in the Works
If you take a drive around Greenwood, you’ll notice historic buildings, lush parks, and majestic trees that give the city its charm. However, there’s an eyesore that’s becoming more and more difficult to ignore—**piles of trash stacking up along the roadsides**.
**Julie Wilkie, Greenwood’s City Manager**, voiced serious concerns during a recent meeting, saying, “It makes our city look like a landfill.” The issue has been piling up since 2015, particularly in rental-heavy areas, where residents are dumping all kinds of waste on the curbside without regard to the city’s strict pickup rules.
“We don’t pick up construction waste. We do not pick up loose trash. So, you can’t just throw your trash by the curb. We don’t pick up bagged trash that’s not in your green roll cart. We don’t pick up anything that’s commingled,” Wilkie said, emphasizing the city’s regulations on trash disposal. Unfortunately, these guidelines aren’t being followed.
From **cardboard boxes** to broken **sofas and mattresses**, and even **loose piles of clothes**, city crews have encountered every kind of waste you could imagine. “One of the challenges is that over the years, we almost relented and just picked up whatever was out there. And so, I think it’s created the situation where now people just put any and everything out there, and we just pick it all up,” Wilkie explained.
Handling these enormous piles has put a considerable strain on the city’s small trash pickup crew. With a team of just four people, they are responsible for covering 13 zones, and completing the entire city takes roughly seven to eight weeks. By the time one round of pickups is complete, there’s even more trash than before.
To tackle this growing problem, Greenwood is now working on a new solid waste ordinance. Wilkie clarified, “We’re going to present the ordinance as the elimination of all bulk, but be prepared as a staff to pivot if council wants to do a variation of that.” Under this proposed ordinance, items like **mattresses, appliances, electronics, and furniture** would no longer be picked up by city services.
City Council’s Take
Councilmember Johnathan Bass supports the ordinance, highlighting that the alternative would be far too costly, potentially adding another half a million dollars just for trash pickup, which the city’s budget cannot accommodate. Despite his support, Bass acknowledged that the proposed ordinance would require significant discussion.
Even if it passes, implementing the new rules across Greenwood will take time and effort. There are currently nine designated drop-off sites across Greenwood County where residents can dispose of their bulk trash. “The city has to change that behavior. We have to help our residents understand what’s acceptable and what is not acceptable,” Wilkie stated.
Upcoming Discussions
The Greenwood City Council will discuss the proposed ordinance at the upcoming work session on Monday at 5:30 p.m.
Bulk Trash Drop-Off Locations
Greenwood residents have access to nine drop-off sites for bulk trash:
- Bucklevel Road
- Island Ford Road
- Shirley Road
- Highway 10
- Tedards Store Road at Highway 25 South
- Dixie Drive at Deadfall Road West
- Mays Cross Road (Scotts Ferry Road)
- Cedar Springs Road
The Greenwood County landfill at 1115 Siloam Church Road, Greenwood, has the following hours:
- Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m.–noon
Convenience Centers are open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
It’s time for Greenwood to clean up its act. But to do so, everyone will need to pitch in and follow the new guidelines. Stay tuned for updates as the new ordinance is discussed and potentially implemented.
