• A recent study ranked South Carolina as the ninth most wasteful state in the nation, struggling with commercial, industrial, and household waste.
• Food waste in the U.S. has a significant environmental impact, generating greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 37 million cars.

Each year, Americans discard nearly 60 million tons of food, the highest amount of any country in the world.

‘While the world wastes about 2.5 billion tons of food every year, the United States discards more food than any other country in the world: nearly 60 million tons — 120 billion pounds — every year,” according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 report from Recycle Track Systems, a waste management company.

That wasted supply represents lost meals for families already facing food insecurity, according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 guide. While also filling U.S. landfills and contributing to harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Tackling this growing problem requires solutions from restaurants, grocery stores, farms, and manufacturers, where overproduction and waste are most common.

Food waste remains one of the nation’s most challenging problems, but some states, like South Carolina, have bigger problems controlling it than others.

South Carolina ranks ninth for states with the largest food waste

From state to state, the struggle against food waste reveals stark differences in efforts to conserve food.

To measure which states are falling behind, Lawn Starter analyzed food waste using 37 key metrics, and the results show South Carolina is one of the states behind the rest.

The study shows the Palmetto State ranked among the most wasteful in the nation, placing ninth overall with a score of 46.1 out of 100. South Carolina also ranked 46th in commercial and industrial waste, 43rd in household waste, 36th in recycling and 19th in reduction efforts.

How South Carolina and other states got their rating

The rankings were based on four key metrics, according to the LawnStarter study.

• Commercial and industrial food waste
• Household food waste
• Most food recycled
• Food waste reduction efforts

South Carolina food waste statistics

 In light of the Lawn Starter study, here are the food waste statistics for the Palmetto State.

• The Palmetto State recorded the highest year‑over‑year increase in farm waste of any state, with a 41% jump in farm waste volume and a 103.9% surge in surplus crops value.
• Storms in the 2024 hurricane season, including Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene, left fields damaged and unsellable crops considered waste.
• South Carolina’s food recycling rate fell 1.15% to 29.03%, retail food waste climbed 4.17%, and residential waste barely declined, dropping only 2.59%, the smallest household reduction in the country.

Reducing food waste can help save the planet

Globally, discarded food accounts for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Food Waste in America in 2026 guide.

In the United States, the impact is profound, the World Wildlife Federation states that the production of wasted food generates emissions equal to those of 37 million cars.

• Ticks are active year-round in South Carolina but are most prevalent from April to September.
• The Lone star tick, common in the state, can cause a red meat allergy known as alpha-gal syndrome.
• Other common ticks in South Carolina include the Black-legged, Gulf Coast, American Dog, and Brown Dog ticks.
• Preventative measures include using EPA-approved repellent and avoiding areas with tall grass and brush.

Lone star, Gulf Coast, and American Dog are some of the unique names for South Carolina’s most common bloodsucking ticks that are out and about now that the summer season is in full swing.

One of the ticks in particular has been making headlines recently for causing alpha-gal syndrome, an immune system reaction that makes those bitten allergic to red meat.

If you plan to spend much of your time outdoors this summer, you’ll want to take precautions to avoid tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Here’s what to know about the Palmetto State’s most common ticks and why you should steer clear of tall grass.

Are ticks active year-round in South Carolina?

Tick season is active year-round in South Carolina due to the state’s mild winters. They are most active in the warmer months from April to September, increasing the risk of exposure during the period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is questing?

The National Library of Medicine defines “questing” as a tick’s heat-seeking behavior in which they climb plants and stretch out their front legs, waiting to attach themselves to a passerby. During this process, ticks rely on sensing cues such as carbon monoxide, heat, and movement.

Common ticks in South Carolina

In South Carolina, five ticks are commonly observed. Here’s what they are and the diseases they carry, according to Clemson University:

Lone Star Tick

• The most common tick in South Carolina.
• Can cause alpha-gal allergy (meat allergy), ehrlichiosis (bacterial disease that causes fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue), and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (Lyme disease-like rash that may cause fatigue, fever, headache, muscle, or joint aches).

Black-legged Tick

• Found in low volume in South Carolina.
• Can transmit Lyme disease, tick-borne relapsing fever, and anaplasmosis (bacterial illness that causes fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches).

On July 1, three days before fireworks erupted across the United States, South Carolina football launched some of their own across the college football world after landing five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson.

Dobson’s commitment to the Gamecocks marked the highest-rated defensive back commit in program history. Additionally, the No. 12 prospect in the nation is the third-highest-ranked Gamecock commit ever, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

On July 3, ESPN’s Craig Haubert, Eli Lederman and Tom Luginbill predicted the fit of all current five-star prospects with their future schools. That list included Dobson’s fit with South Carolina.

What does this mean for the Gamecocks? Mingo Martin and fellow subscribers are discussing it now on The Insiders Forum.

“ESPN’s No. 2 cornerback was a priority local target for South Carolina coach Shane Beamer in the 2027 cycle,” Lederman wrote. ” … If he signs later this year, Dobson will represent the program’s highest-ranked signee since defensive end Jordan Burch arrived at South Carolina as the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2020 class.”

Dobson, originally of Fort Mill, S.C., transferred to Hough High School in Cornelius, N.C., after his junior season. In the days following his commitment, his Hough teammate, Davion Jones, joined him in South Carolina’s recruiting class.

“A long, gifted corner with elite level speed, he posted a 4.39 40 this spring. Dobson is smooth and transitions extremely quickly in and out when turning and running or closing on the ball,” Luginbill wrote. “He can mirror without allowing separation in man-to-man, shadowing receivers out of their breaks. He tracks the deep throw well, showing a second gear to break under the ball and has outstanding hands and ball skills.”

The former quarterback and ESPN national recruiting director also predicted that Dobson can be an early starter at South Carolina.

There is precedent in ensuring young defensive backs see the field as freshmen under Beamer. During the 2025 season, true freshmen Kendall Daniels Jr. and Damarcus Leach saw limited action.

Daniels featured in nine games primarily on special teams while Leach saw limited time across seven matchups. Both players returned to the Gamecocks for a sophomore season in 2026.

Earlier during the Beamer era, Nick Emmanwori, DQ Smith, and Jalon Kilgore all earned Freshman All-American honors with the Gamecocks.

“He also shows good closing speed and aggressiveness in run support, and isn’t just a finesse cover corner,” Luginbill wrote about the Gamecocks’ 2027 Freshman All-American hopeful. “Dobson has awareness and instincts for the position that are coveted, and his speed sets him apart.”

Dobson’s speed features 100-meter track times in the 10.4-second range alongside his 6-foot 5-inch wingspan.

However, the crown jewel of South Carolina’s 2027 recruiting class still has a senior year to play. In an age of NIL and constant player movement, Dobson’s recruitment remains far from over. Should the Gamecocks retain their potential star through signing day, the sky is the limit for him and Clayton White’s secondary.