Where can people recycle?
There are now 180 drop-off recycling centers in Delaware - like the one over at the library. And the number keeps climbing! Plus several communities now offer curb-side recycling.
Do people have to separate their stuff?
No. It is all now "single-stream". MIxed together. It's more convenient for people.
Do I have to clean up my recycle stuff?
It helps if it is free of odors and food. Minimizes the pests that might get into it either in your garage, car, or at the recycle center.
Where does it all go?
The Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) has 2 facilities where they accept recycling material from the drop-off centers and curbside programs and from other companies. There is one location in Milford Delaware and one in New Castle County (at 1101 Lambsons Lane near New Castle). Once the material comes to these facilities it is sold to end-users. The pricing fluctuates. It can be anywhere form $45 to $52 a ton. Some of the end-users are Waste Management from Baltimore, Blue Mountain from Pennsylvania, Omni-Recycling out of New Jersey and Greenstar from Pennsylvania. The end-users then transport the stuff to their MRFs. An MRF is a "Material Recycling Facility".
What happens at the MRFs?
The single-stream recyclables are placed on conveyor belts which automatically separate the different kinds of materials - with some manual help to remove trash. They have equipment that sorts the stuff into paper, metal, glass, etc. Then each type of material is compacted to be shipped to its destination to be used to make a new product. The newspaper might end up in a paper mill and the junk mail might end up at the Markell plant and be used to make toilet paper, paper towels or napkins. The corrugated cardboard might go to China. The end-users decide where the material goes.
How much left-over junk is there?
Less than 10 % of the original stuff is true trash.
Is there an MRF in Delaware?
Not at the current time.
Where does MY recycle stuff go?
Stuff from NCC most likely goes to the Blue Mountain Recycling MRF in South Philly.
Where can I get more information?
The Delaware Solid Waste Authority - complete information about the state's programs. www.dswa.com
A good explanation of the new single-stream program in Delaware
http://www.thecoastalpoint.com/content/lot_goes_delaware%E2%80%99s_new_singlestream
