The concept of biodiversity, simply stated, is the variety of life on earth. But, as Sustain SC’s Senior Vice President of Conservation, Kristen Austin Gunter opened our Biodiversity 101 workshop last month, she encouraged attendees to expand their view of biodiversity and the role it serves in sustaining South Carolina for generations to come.

Sustain SC in partnership with The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University is pleased to announce the 2027 class of the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI). Now entering its sixth year, SLI is a collaborative effort between Furman University’s Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities and Sustain SC. The 2027 cohort brings together a diverse group of leaders from business, government, academia and nonprofit organizations who are committed to advancing sustainability across South Carolina.

Sustain SC is pleased to announce the addition of Savanna Schultz as its new Marketing and Events Manager.

Sustain SC’s three-part Supply Chain Workshop Series was designed to support local suppliers in positioning themselves to do business with South Carolina’s OEMs. Workshop three, on September 15, brought together key learnings and fostered key connections as suppliers put their learnings into practice during curated business-to-business matchmaking.

On Thursday, October 22, Sustain SC’s 5th Annual Sustainability Symposium will bring together leaders from across the state at Central Energy in Columbia for a day focused on the issues, opportunities and emerging trends that matter most to South Carolina’s future.

Sustain SC has announced the second round of grants awarded through its Land and Water Action Platform (LAWAP), advancing conservation projects across South Carolina in partnership with the state’s business community. In this round, LAWAP awarded $159,707 across eight projects spanning seven counties.

Sustain SC convened business leaders, recyclers, local government officials, state agency staff, academics and legislators in Columbia for the 2026 Circularity Summit. 

Data, case studies and stakeholder input pointed in a consistent direction: continued conversation and collaborative problem solving is needed to grow a circular economy in South Carolina.  

Case Study: How Greenwood is Moving from Risk to Readiness 

A cross-sector partnership between Sustain SC, Furman University's Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, and VisionGreenwood. 

Sustain SC is pleased to announce a partnership with the Public Policy Institute (PPI) at Charleston School of Law, pairing a team of PPI Student Research Fellows with Sustain SC this fall to examine how South Carolina can responsibly prepare for continued growth in energy-intensive industrial development like data centers. 

How does South Carolina meet rapidly growing electricity demand while managing water responsibly for large growth users, specifically the data center industry?

Sustain SC is pleased to announce the addition of Mary Ellen Grom, Executive Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at AFL, to its Board of Directors.

Rooftop solar. Battery storage. Microgrids. These smaller-scale energy resources, sited closer to the homes and businesses they serve, are quietly reshaping how South Carolina keeps the lights on.

Sustain SC, in partnership with the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University, is excited to announce the graduation of the fifth class of Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) Fellows.

In the evolving landscape of global manufacturing, South Carolina stands at a unique crossroads. The shift toward more localized supply chains is no longer just a trend—it’s a strategic imperative for building long-term business resilience.

Sustain SC announced the first round of 2026 grants awarded through its Land and Water Action Platform (LAWAP) to advance conservation projects across South Carolina in partnership with the state’s business community. Funding will support land value costs and will cover real estate expenses that are often difficult to fund yet critical to moving conservation of land deals forward.

For Sustain SC Member Lincoln Energy, a Greenville based fuel solutions provider with more than 40 years in the industry, renewable diesel is more than a product, it’s a powerful fuel solution. Renewable diesel dramatically lowers greenhouse gas emissions and offers a profitable opportunity for businesses to divert their waste from landfills. These benefits support the economy and wellbeing of local communities, making renewable diesel an increasingly attractive option for companies looking to advance their sustainability goals.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce released the 2025 Recycling Market Development Advisory Council (RMDAC) Annual Report on March 13. The RMDAC Annual Report provides an in-depth review of South Carolina's recycling industry, highlighting its significant contributions to the state’s economy, key industry trends and strategic recommendations for future growth. As businesses and organizations place greater emphasis on waste reduction and broader resource efficiency, these key insights remain essential to long-term growth.

Sustain SC is celebrating our 5th anniversary with the launch of our refreshed Strategic Framework, designed to sharpen how we deliver impact statewide. Rooted in our new Purpose statement, the framework reinforces our Mission to connect the sustainability goals of businesses with local solutions that strengthen our economy, environment and people.

Join us as we celebrate 5 years at the intersection of commerce and conservation.  

Sustain SC is thrilled to announce two new team members, Brent Kossick as the new Director of Partnerships and Megan Dix as the Marketing and Events Coordinator. They will work to advance mission driven alongside the rest of the Sustain SC team.

Sustain SC is pleased to announce updates to its Board of Directors, including the addition of a new board member and leadership changes to the Executive Committee that will support the organization’s purpose to build and grow a more sustainable future for South Carolina at the intersection of commerce and conservation.