Dive summary:

• Waste companies are pushing a well financed-campaign to push legislation through the State House that would give them a bigger share of the South Carolina waste market.
• The legislation would make it illegal for any county to mandate that waste produced in the county must be sent to the county landfill or transfer station.
• Private companies already operate about half of the landfills in the state but the S.C. Association of Counties say they worry that if this legislation goes through companies such as Republic and Waste Management will have a monopoly. 

From the article: 

They already operate about half the garbage landfills in South Carolina, but one day will own a monopoly if the Legislature sides with waste giants such as Republic Services and Waste Management, according to the counties association.

And if the waste industry takes control of more landfills and waste hauling services, the average citizen will pay higher prices to dispose of waste, county officials say. Lexington, Richland, Aiken, Spartanburg, Chester, Beaufort and Horry counties are among those with concerns.

Counties got into the garbage business when private companies weren’t around, and in some cases managed to keep disposal prices down. ...