Talking trash with Bunting and Hocker

When it comes to talking trash, local lawmakers are up to the task.  Sen. George Bunting, D-Bethany Beach, and Rep. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, accompanied state officials to answer questions from Sussex County residents about universal recycling, which went into effect statewide Sept. 15.

The law requires waste haulers in Sussex County to include recycling in the cost of their service.

Nearly 100 residents turned out at the Sept. 27 event at Millville Fire Hall, and most were angry about the increase in their trash bills.  State officials said the free-market economy will eventually cause prices to go down after an initial increase.  Legislators said they voted against the law, but there is little they can do to change it.

Jim Short, of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, said the recycling law was initiated to save landfill capacity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create local jobs.  Historically, Short said, Delawareans were penalized for recycling by having to pay premium costs for curbside pickup.  “It’s more efficient to provide everyone in the room with this service than 10 of you with this service,” he said.

Short said residents do not have to take advantage of curbside recycling, but everyone with curbside trash pickup will pay for both services.  “You’re not going to be rewarded for not recycling,” he said.

Residents who attended the discussion were clearly against the new law.  “We don’t need the state running the trash pickup because the state can’t do anything effectively,” said one resident.  “Stay out of it.”

Another resident said Sussex County is largely a seasonal destination, and tourists are unwilling to pay for year-round services.  “You’re going to see more cans and bottles on the side of the road,” he said.

The state also imposed a yard waste ban, which went into effect Jan. 1, requiring residents to separate yard waste from their regular trash and dispose of it separately.

Short said residents have three options for yard waste disposal under the new law:  Residents can manage yard waste themselves by turning it into compost or mulch, haul the yard waste to a drop-off site or contract a waste hauler to have the yard waste removed.

Michael Parkowski, of Delaware Solid Waste Authority, said residents can take their yard waste to the nearest landfill, but it must be separate from regular household trash.  Collection stations charge as little as $1 per bag of waste, he said.

One resident said more people are throwing yard waste on the side of the road or burning it without taking necessary precautions, which could lead to uncontrolled fires.  “It’s just an accident that’s waiting to happen around here,” he said.

“Look around the room. We’re all on a fixed income,” said another audience member, referring to the large population of retired people on the Delaware coast.  “I’d like to see them all throw it out on the road, and let you guys take care of it,” he said.

Short said Sussex County has 16 places for residents to haul their yard waste; New Castle County has only six.  “This is change, and it takes getting used to,” Short said.

The cost of going green

Short said that while Delaware Solid Waste Authority spent $150 million statewide to expand and enforce the recycling program, collection fees increased by an average of only $3 a month per household.

“I know you’re seeing an increase in rates,” Parkowski said.  But New Castle County experienced the same price hikes before competition caused hauling fees to drop, he said.  Parkowski said Sussex residents should call different waste haulers and shop for the best deal.

He said under the new law, haulers are saving money at landfills.  “At some point, that savings will make its way to consumers,” Parkowski said.

Short said under the Recycling Assistance Grant Program, haulers receive state funds to ease the transition to provide recycling to customers.  In exchange, the haulers are not allowed to increase rates until 2013.

Hocker said the chances of repealing the law are close to zero.  “It’s wrong, it’s totally wrong; that’s why I voted against it,” he said.

Bunting said Sussex County legislators are working to try to tweak the law to better accommodate to their constituents.  “We’re trying to figure out a way to resolve the issue for our county and the people we serve,” he said.

Bunting said residents should write to the governor and talk to local homeowners associations to take action against the law.  “Make yourselves heard,” Bunting said.

For more information on Universal Recycling or the Yard Waste ban, go to http://portal.delaware.gov/recycling or delaware.gov.