recycling programs

Yard Waste Recycling

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

Yard Waste Recycling FAQs »

Click to download a Yard Waste Recycling Brochure

Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Yard Waste Program

Starting on January 1st, 2008, all residents in the State of Delaware will have the opportunity to participate in DSWA’s new and improved Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) yard waste collection program.

Our pay-as-you-throw program offers pick-up of your yard waste at your curb.

Weekly pick-up will occur during the months April 1-December 31 and every other week during the months of January 1-March 31.

This new program will replace our existing yard waste recycling program. Therefore, effective January 1, 2008 it will no longer be necessary to sign-up for our materials curbside recycling program to participate in the new yard waste recycling program.

Customers who subscribe to the existing DSWA yard waste program will receive a refund of any monies owed. Refunds will only apply to customers who have paid past December 31, 2007.

New Castle County Yard Waste Ban

The New Castle County Yard Waste Ban will take effect on January 24, 2008.

New Castle County Residents will no longer be permitted to have yard waste landfilled with other household garbage. The Cherry Island Landfill will accept loads of yard waste for recycling at the normal tipping fee.

Residents may also sign-up for DSWA’s Improved Yard Waste Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) collection program. Residents will purchase stickers for a $1 a bag and place yard waste at the curb for pick-up by DSWA.

For more information on the yard waste ban or to sign up for DSWA's yard waste PAYT program, please call the Citizens' Response Line at 1-800-404-7080.

What is Yard Waste?

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.

Yard Waste FAQs »

Purchase Stickers

Customers will be able to purchase stickers from DSWA to be placed on bags of yard waste. Stickers will cost $1 each and are purchased in increments of 10.

For example, you may purchase 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 stickers at one time. Stickers are available to order through DSWA’s website (click the Add to Cart button above) or by calling DSWA’s Citizens’ Response Line 1-800-404-7080 .

Preparing Yard Waste for Pick Up

There are a few simple rules to follow when preparing yard waste for pick up:

• DSWA will accept an unlimited number of yard waste bags or bundles having stickers on your designated collection day.
• Customers can purchase bags at their local grocery, home improvement, or other retail outlet.
• Place yard waste in bags (provided by customer).
• Bags cannot exceed a maximum size of 39 gallons and be no less than 1 mil. in thickness.

• Sticks and small branches must be bundled rather than put into bags. Bundles must be no longer then 4 feet in length, 2 feet in width, and 2 feet in height. Maximum 4" diameter of branches.

• Bundles must be tied together with rope or twine, and the sticker placed around the rope or twine. Bundled branches and limbs will not be picked up unless a sticker is placed on the rope.
• Place fluorescent pink yard waste sticker onto the bag and place at your curb for pick-up.

Drop Off Yard Waste...

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has opened three free yard waste drop-off sites within New Castle County. Yard waste will be ground into mulch and will be free to residents when it is available. Mulch can be used as weed suppression, decorative bed covering, and more.

The sites are open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

• The first site is located at DART's mid-county facility at the southwest corner of Rt. 13 and Rt. 72 near Bear and is open everyday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
• The second site is located on Polly Drummond Hill Road directly across from the entrance to the Judge Morris Estate. This site is also open everyday from 8:30am-4:30pm.
• The third site is located in the Brandywine Hundred area near the intersection of Cauffiel Parkway and Philadelphia Pike and is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

...Pick Up Free Mulch!

Once yard waste is collected from residents it is brought to one of DSWA’s Solid Waste Management Facilities for recycling. Both the Cherry Island Landfill in Wilmington and Jones Crossroads Landfill in Georgetown will been using a system developed by the Delaware based, W.L Gore & Associates.

Mulch can be used as weed suppression, decorative bed covering, and more. Compost aids moisture retention, reduces the need for fertilizer and pesticides, adds nutrients, and creates a healthier soil. Some of the compost produced from yard waste will be used at Cherry Island Landfill in landscaping and topsoil amendment applications.

For information on composting in your own yard, click here.

More Information

• For more information on the new and improved yard waste program, please call the DSWA Citizens’ Response Line at 1-800-404-7080.
• To learn more about yard waste recycling options click here to view a Power Point presentation in a PDF format. This Power Point presentation was created by The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) on October 9, 2007.

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