The Delaware Solid Waste Authority is making changes in its drop-off centers that will include a new site in the Newark area and increased collection of hazardous waste, paper shredding and electronics.
Tbe moves come as the state’s recycling rate stalls and signs of illegal dumping appear.
Over the last few years an increased amount of illegal dumping at Drop-Off Centers statewide has caused problems for DSWA staff and to the property owners where the centers are located, a release stated.
Another difficulty is the large increase of household trash that is being dumped into the bins at the centers making recyclables unusable.
The state does not have a system to determine if households use a refuse hauler and some people use a place of business, the drop off centers or even the side of the road to dump refuse.
The DSWA hopes to have the program in place by the late summer of 2017.
Under the program, the DSWA will have four Drop-Off Centers located at; the Cheswold Collection Station, the Delaware Recycling Center in New Castle, Jones Crossroads Landfill in Georgetown and a new center located the Newark area.
The centers will be open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday to collect; electronics, single stream recycling, cardboard, household batteries, used oil and oil filters and Styrofoam.
There will also be a household hazardous waste event once a week and a paper shredding event once a month at each location.
Nine additional drop off centers, located at DSWA facilities throughout the statee, will be open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 Monday – Saturday to collect; single stream recycling, cardboard, household batteries, used oil and oil filters
Current Drop-Off centers which are not located at DSWA facilities will eventually be removed.
DSWA will continue to provide special collection events for the collection of household hazardous waste, electronics recycling and paper shredding at no cost to Delaware residents.
By placing the Recycling Drop-Off Centers at DSWA Facilities, residents who haul their own waste and recycling will have a convenient location.
The release stated that that DSWA will continue to provide the recycling services at no cost to Delaware residents.
