Help & Support

Frequently Asked Questions:

Single-Stream Curbside Recycling

Click to download a Single-Stream Curbside Recycling Brochure

More Questions? Call our CITIZENS' RESPONSE LINE at 1-800-404-7080.

Q) What is single-stream recycling?

A) Single-Stream recycling is a recycling process in which materials are collected all mingled together with no sorting required by individual recyclers. So cans and bottles can be recycled together with newspaper, cardboard, etc.

Q) What happens to the single-stream recycling once its collected by DSWA?

A) Once the single-stream materials are collected by DSWA they are taken to either the Delaware Recycling Center (DRC) or the Milford Transfer Station. The recyclable materials are then transferred to trucks and taken to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)where the recyclable materials are separated and sent to various markets for sale.

Q) What happens at the MRF?

A) The MRF uses a system of sorting mechanisms, which can divide the recyclables into different categories.

Q) Once things are separated what happens to them?

A) Once the recyclables have been separated at the MRF, they are then sent out to the different markets, where the actual recycling of the material happens.

Q) What exactly can I put into my single-stream cart?

A) Newspapers/ Brown Paper Bags
Magazines, Catalogs
Telephone/Soft Cover Books
Junk Mail/Envelopes (all types)
Paper
Paperboard (cereal/tissue boxes)
Cardboard
Narrow-Neck Plastic Bottles (examples: Milk Jugs, Bleach/Detergent, Shampoo Bottles)
Plastic Grocery Bags
Glass Bottles/Jars (any color)
Metal Cans (tin/steel/aluminum)
If you have a question about whether a product can be included, please call the Citizens’ Response Line at 1-800-404-7080.

Q) How do I get signed up for single-stream curbside recycling?

A) To sign up, call the Citizens’ Response Line at 1-800-404-7080, or Click here to sign-up online.

Q) How much will it cost?

A) Curbside Recycling costs $6 per month. Customers are billed twice a year at $36 each bill.

Q) What size is the cart I’ll be using for my single-stream recycling?

A) You will be provided a 65-gallon cart on wheels for your single stream recycling.

Q) How often will recycling be picked up?

A) Your recycling will be picked up every other week.

Q) Should I put recyclables into bags then into my single-stream cart?

A) There is no need to place recyclables into bags before putting them into the cart. If you have an overflow of recycling, please do not place extra bags outside of your cart. If you think you need an extra cart, you can request one by calling our Citizens’ Response Line at 1-800-404-7080.

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