Litter and Illegal Dumping Degrade the State's Beauty

The Challenge: Litter along South Carolina's highways, back roads, and communities is a persistent problem, raising questions about enforcement, fines, and community pride. What do South Carolinians think? Residents describe a state they want to be proud of. One wrote: "I am astounded at the amount of trash that lines the sides of roads — entire bags of empty food containers, empty liquor bottles and beer cans." Another said: "our state is beautiful, however it is shocking how much litter is next to the streets — other states don't have as much debris." Solutions offered include "$500 fine signs like other states" and a "statewide container refund program." One resident put it plaintively: "I would like to be proud of South Carolina, but litter and garbage is on streets and blows around."