Help & Support

Frequently Asked Questions:

YARD WASTE RECYCLING

To view DNREC's yard waste presentation click here.

For more information on the new and improved yard waste program,
please call the DSWA Citizens’ Response Line at 1-800-404-7080.

Q. Why will there be a yard waste ban in New Castle County?

A. Restricting yard waste from the Cherry Island Landfill remains a permit condition – see Page 6 of the permit – which DNREC issued to the Delaware Solid Waste Authority.  Current estimates based on DSWA’s recent statewide waste characterization study place yard waste at approximately 16.4% of residential waste.  By diverting yard waste from the landfill, the life expectancy of the landfill will be extended.

Q. If I cannot put yard waste in my regular trash, what can I do with it?

A. Here are several options available for the disposal of yard waste:

• Check with your trash hauler to see if the program they are offering fits your needs. All residential trash haulers in New Castle County have indicated they are offering yard waste collection services.
• Bring your yard waste to the Cherry Island Landfill where it will be recycled into mulch or compost for a cost of $61.50/ton.
• Sign-up for DSWA’s  improved yard waste collection program. This new program is a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system.  Residents will purchase stickers for a $1 a bag and place yard waste at the curb for pick-up by DSWA.  Stickers must be bought in $10 increments.  Visit our Yard Waste program page for more information on the new and improved yard waste program.
• Take yard waste to one of the 3 free drop-off facilities operated by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).
• Look into starting a compost pile in your yard. DSWA and the University of Delaware Extension Offices are both selling backyard composting bins for $10.00.  The bin can be expanded to 3 feet in diameter.

Q. What is DSWA’s new yard waste program?

A. Our pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) program offers weekly pick-up of your yard waste at your curb.  Customers can purchase stickers from DSWA to be placed on bags of yard waste. Stickers will cost $1 each and are purchased in increments of 10. 

Q. Do I have to sign-up for curbside recycling to participate in the yard waste program?

A. No, unlike DSWA’s former yard waste collection program, this new program can be subscribed to alone or in addition to the curbside recycling program.

Q. What exactly is yard waste?

A. Yard waste is defined as plant material resulting from lawn maintenance and other horticultural, gardening, and landscaping activities.  It can be specifically described as grass clippings, leaves, pruning, brush, shrubs, garden material, and branches.

Q. What type of bags can I use for the yard waste program?

A. Bags will be provided by the resident and should not exceed a maximum size of 39 gallons and preferably at least 1 mil in thickness.  A mil is one-thousandth of an inch and should be labeled by the bag maker.

Q. What about sticks and branches that don’t fit into bags?

A. Sticks and small branches must be bundled rather then put into bags.  Bundles should be no longer then 4 feet in length, 2 feet in width, and 2 feet in height. Bundles should be tied together with rope or twine, and the sticker placed around the rope or twine.

Q. When will yard waste pick-up occur?

A. Weekly pick-up will occur during the months of April through December and every other week during the months of January through March.

Q. I have already paid for curbside recycling plus yard waste pick-up through February. What will happen to the money I have paid?

A. Existing customers who subscribe to the DSWA yard waste program will be refunded any monies owed. Refunds will only apply to customers who have paid past December 31, 2007. Customers will need to contact DSWA by December 31, 2007 to receive the refund.

Q. Who exactly is affected by this yard waste ban?

A. Residents of New Castle County whose waste is taken to the Cherry Island Landfill.  Generally, if you live in northern New Castle County you will be affected. To find out for sure whether you will be affected by the ban, you must call whoever handles your trash.

Q. What can I do with my Christmas tree?

A. DSWA will collect Christmas trees once they are cut down to 4 feet in length and bundle together.  Please bundle the pieces together with twine or string and place a yard waste sticker around the twine or string

Q. I have a lot of “monkey balls”(fruit from the Osage tree) and walnuts that fall in my yard. Do those falls under the yard waste ban?

A. Yes, because things like monkey balls and walnuts are plant material that result from yard maintenance therefore they fall under the yard waste ban.

Q. I have holiday greens with ribbons and bows, how should I dispose of these?

A. Floral arrangements such as holiday decorations that are mixed with wire, ribbon, etc. should be considered household garbage.  Wires and ribbon would contaminate the yard waste composting process.

Q. How can I order yard waste stickers for the bags?

A. You can order the yard waste stickers from the DSWA website when you visit our Yard Waste Recycling program page, or call the Citizens’ Response Line at 1-800-404-7080, or visit the DSWA Administrative Office located on South Bradford Street in Dover, Delaware.

Q. I still have more questions about yard waste, who can I talk to?

A. DSWA has a Citizens’ Response Line available Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm to answer any questions you may have about yard waste or any other DSWA program, please call 1-800-404-7080.

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