Delaware

Recycling & Solid Waste Management Program Overview

Delaware Solid Waste Authority

601 Energy Lane

Dover, DE 19901

Phone: (302) 739-5361

NERC Board Member Representative

Richard Watson

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (302) 739-5361

Overview

The Delaware Solid Waste Authority is nationally recognized for its management of Delaware’s solid waste material. It efficiently operates three landfills using innovative technology in order to provide a reliable disposal method for trash while protecting groundwater resources and preventing odors. DSWA also provides opportunities for disposal of special wastes including household hazardous waste, electronics, batteries, textiles, mattresses, used motor oil and oil filters. Recently, DSWA has partnered with recycling leader Republic Services to operate a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in New Castle, DE. The MRF processes, sorts, and bales all of Delaware’s single stream recyclables material. The bales of material are then taken to different manufacturing facilities where the material is recycled and made into new products. DSWA also partners with Revolution Recovery, a construction and demolition (C&D) debris recycling company. Revolution Recovery receives, sorts, and processes construction debris such as wood, drywall, and metal. This material is then used for mulch, fertilizer components, or as raw material for new products.

The Delaware Solid Waste Authority is proud to have been providing environmental education to residents for many years and is now proud of the new DSWA Environmental Education Building which is available for field trips and other outreach. The education building includes a classroom with multimedia equipment where education staff presents a range of information on DSWA facilities, programs and partner companies Republic Services and Revolution Recovery. The goal is to inform children (and adults) about what happens to trash once it is thrown away and just how important it is to recycle. They explore how a landfill works as well as how recyclable are sorted and packed at the Materials Recovery Facility. To complement the informative lessons a room of interactive learning displays is located within the education building.

The Delaware Solid Waste Authority is committed to managing Delaware’s solid waste in a way that keeps people safe and the environment clean. The DSWA Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan is a comprehensive waste reduction plan that takes us through the year 2030, it includes a reliable system to handle Delaware's waste and recycling - for now and for the future.