Recycling on rise in Delaware

Recycling in Delaware is on the rise, significantly reducing refuse deposited in state landfill sites.

Mike Parkowski, Delaware Solid Waste Authority manager of business and governmental services, said 1.2 million tons of refuse were deposited in state landfills in 2006, compared to 752,000 tons last year.

He said 2006 holds the record for highest deposits. He said Delawareans, for the most part, have embraced recycling, and the authority doesn’t see many nonrecyclable items in the recycling stream.

In 2009, curbside single-stream recycling continued to grow, reaching a high of just under 50,000 customers. There have been complaints from a few people about fees charged by private recycling haulers and about bins that are too large for people to handle.

Parkowski was among panelists at the July 27 Recycling Public Advisory Council meeting at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Lewes Field Facility on Pilottown Road.

The law’s goal is to divert 72 percent of solid waste from disposal to recycling by 2015, and 85 percent by 2020.

In 2009, 32.6 percent of recyclables were diverted from state landfill sites, according to the advisory panel’s 2010 report.

In May 2010, Senate Bill 234 created state recycling laws.

Parkowski said state law requires drop-off recycling stations to be available statewide until at least 2014.

Items accepted at drop-off centers vary, but in addition to glass, cans, plastic and paper, many centers also accept corrugated cardboard, used motor oil and oil filters, household batteries and textiles.

Used carpeting, however, is an item that presents recycling complications. There was an attempt to include language in the recycling law that would have banned depositing carpeting in landfills, but it was removed.

Parkowski said carpeting is heavy and represents up to 2 percent of landfill weight. He said carpet is highly recyclable, but special equipment is required to strip its components apart.

He said recycling drop-off bins are sometimes relocated by requests from site sponsors. He said there are more than 180 drop-off sites throughout the state, but the number is declining because many households now have curbside recycling service.

Parkowski said the authority would soon begin to replace old, worn drop-off bins with new ones.

Parkowski said most haulers work with customers to provide bins they can handle, and customers shouldn’t hesitate to shop for reasonably priced and accommodating service.

“If you’re a senior citizen living by yourself you don’t need a 96 gallon cart,” Parkowski said.

To further encourage recycling, DSWA is planning to use one of two billboard designs. Both designs carry the same message: ‘Recycling is easier than ever. Delaware recycles – It’s second nature,’ followed by www.recycledelaware.net.

The 16-member Recycling Public Advisory Council is composed of state agency officials; waste haulers; food, beverage and restaurant association representatives; environmentalists; and government watchdog organizations.

The panel is charged with advising the governor’s office, DNREC and DSWA on all aspects of recycling including development of grant criteria and selection of applications; a methodology for measuring recycling rates; and possible outreach activities designed to achieve higher recycling rates.

The panel’s next meeting is 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the Delaware Department of Transportation’s Bay Road office building in Dover. For more information or directions, contact Solid & Hazardous Waste Management at 302-739-9403.

For additional information about the Recycling Public Advisory Council go to www.awm.delaware.gov/info/pages/RPAC.aspx.