COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The South Carolina Department of Services is marking the start of “Earth Month” with one request for Palmetto State residents.

SCDES is asking everyone who lives in the state to cut down on food waste, which department leaders say is the number one thing that ends up in landfills.

The agency’s “Don’t Waste Food SC” program aims to help surplus food reach families in need across the state. The agency is also partnering with Go See the City to help donate unsold food to local charities.

“Out of all of the items in our landfill, food is the number one thing in there. That means it’s creating a lot of methane gas, which is bad for our landfills and also takes up space in our landfills,” Savannah Murray, a member of the Don’t Waste Food SC program, said.

The department said that residents can cut down on food waste and save money by meal planning, storing food properly and utilizing leftovers.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.

Copyright 2026 WIS. All rights reserved.