Don’t Waste Food SC 2026

A Look Back

The 2026 Don't Waste Food SC Summit brought together stakeholders from across South Carolina's food system to discuss organics recovery, infrastructure development, and opportunities for greater collaboration. Hosted by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), the event provided a forum for organizations to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore solutions that support sustainable materials management across the state.

At the summit, Denali's Meghan McGill joined industry leaders to share insights on organics recovery and sustainable materials management, highlighting Denali's residential organics programs across South Carolina and the factors that contribute to long-term program success. The discussion emphasized the value of community engagement, strong partnerships, and accessible infrastructure in expanding participation and delivering meaningful results.

Attendees explored strategies to strengthen organics recovery systems, support education and outreach efforts, and build greater collaboration among public agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations. Discussions also highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure and innovative recovery solutions to support future growth across South Carolina.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• Expanding organics recovery infrastructure across South Carolina.
• Growing participation in residential organics collection programs.
• Building partnerships between public and private sector organizations.
• Increasing education and community engagement efforts.
• Strengthening resource recovery systems through collaboration.
• Supporting long-term sustainability and infrastructure development.

Looking Ahead

"By continuing the conversations started at this event and strengthening collaboration among partners, we can expand our collective impact and move closer to a future where good food feeds people, not landfills."

– Meghan McGill, Denali

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