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Recycling Collection in Delaware is improving at a steady rate and the state’s landfills are being filled at a lower rate. The state’s 2013 recycling diversion rate hit 40% in 2013 and is only expected to improve due to the Universal Recycling Law signed by Gov. Jack Markell in 2010.

It is possible that Delaware will reach the recycling diversion goal of 50 percent by 2015. Back in 2006, the state’s recycling rate was about 23 percent, one of the lowest in the nation.

The Delaware Solid Waste Recycling Law required the commercial sector implement comprehensive recycling no later than January 1, 2014. This should help increase the recycling collection in Delaware, thus making the 50% recycling diversion rate an attainable goal.

The national rate was 34 percent as of 2009, according to the Keep American Beautiful campaign. Delaware’s rate was just a few percentage points lower.

New material recovery facilities and the expansion of recycling activities and operations have resulted in new investment and dozens of new jobs for Delaware.

The first implementation of the Universal Recycling law was single-family residential recycling that went into effect September 2011. The next stage was multi-family residential recycling that went into effect January 2013. The final component of this law went into effect this past January 2014 and required recycling compliance of the commercial sector – which includes Delaware businesses, non-profits, and institutions.

“Delawareans are recycling more, throwing out less and saving money in the process,” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara. “All of this is reflected in our rising diversion rate. Over the next few years, we’ll be working with the commercial sector to help double the rate for commercial recycling in Delaware to help businesses, companies and institutions achieve the statewide goals of the Universal Recycling Law.. We want every Delawarean to have access to recycling at home, at work and everywhere in between – and the commercial sector opportunities will push us toward the statewide goal of 50 percent diversion.” – ‘Delaware recycling rate hits 40%’, by Doug Rainey, November 24, 2013

According to the article, – ‘Delaware recycling rate hits 40%’, “The recycling rate rose dramatically when single-stream recycling came into play, with haulers required to offer a separate container for recyclables under the legislation.”

While it is now the law for businesses to recycle, it is still up to the individual to carry through their recycling efforts at home. The DNREC has implemented many programs to make it easy to recycle.

So what are you waiting for? Share with us on Facebook how you help make your community greener!

Waste Management Solutions has been helping Delaware go Green and is a leading provider of recycling collection in Delaware. Contact us to find out how you can help us make the world a better place.

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In fact, Delaware rated the worst in ‘per capita gasoline usage’ and renewables, second to last for percentage of recycled waste, and 49^th for water quality. These are truly disturbing statistics for the state of Delaware. However, there is some good news, as it rated 15^th in air quality.

Green initiatives have become one of the largest growing trends in the United States and many states are taking note by creating and instituting more and more environmentally friendly programs to make their state’s greener.

While Delaware’s ratings are concerning, the state recently enacted The Delaware Solid Waste Recycling Law*, which requires all businesses to implement a recycling program. There are several other initiatives being undertaken in Delaware to educate and improve the voluntary recycling efforts of Delaware residents.

Here is a Recycling Booklet issued by the state governor’s office with encouragement by Governor Jack Markell for all residents to participate:

“The more Delaware recycles, the less trash we send to our landfills, and the less demand we’ll have for future landfill expansion. This “How to Recycle” guide is a collaboration between our Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA). We hope you’ll find it useful. Thank you in advance for recycling.” Sincerely, Jack Markell, Governor

Delaware’s top commercial waste solution provider, Waste Masters has a dedicated team of seasoned professionals committed to excellence — always striving to minimize client costs, optimize efficiency and reduce (or completely eliminate) environmental impact. We also ensure that we satisfy regulatory requirements, which means you can rest assured you’re in compliance.

*The Delaware Solid Waste Recycling Law, 7 Del. C. § 6053 (d), requires that “… the commercial sector implement comprehensive recycling no later than January 1, 2014.”