In June 2010, Governor Markell signed a bill into law which established a statewide Universal Recycling program in Delaware. The program's creation was the result of successful collaboration between policy makers, environmentalists, businesses, and state agencies to address the issue of how best to handle the State's solid waste. Prior to this law, Delaware's recycling rate was below the national average and the rates of neighboring states. The ultimate goal of the Universal Recycling law is to reverse those trends by ensuring that every residence and business has access to convenient and cost effective recycling programs. As written in the legislation, "recycling conserves valuable natural resources, energy, landfill capacity, landfill disposal costs, greenhouse gas emissions and litter." It is also expected to create sustainable job opportunities throughout the state.
What this means for Delaware:
Universal recycling for single-family homes, restaurants and bars is scheduled to begin no later than September 15th, 2011. For multi-family residences, the start date is no later than January 1st, 2013, and for all other commercial customers, the date is January 1st, 2014. The law also eliminates the 5 cent refundable deposit for bottles, replacing it with a 4 cent non-refundable charge until December 1st, 2014.
DNREC and other state agencies have high hopes for reducing the amount of solid waste that ends up in land fills and diverting it to the new recycling program. The law establishes a graduated reduction in overall municipal and solid waste over the next decade. According to DNREC Secretary O'Mara, this law will allow Delaware to become a national leader in recycling while protecting the environment, stimulating local economies, and benefiting citizens throughout the state.
DNS's position on the issue:
The Delaware Nature Society fully supports the Universal Recycling Law as a way to decrease solid waste, conserve natural resources, and promote the overall health of our environment and economy.
For more information on the law,
click here.
