Delawareans can get answers about the state’s new universal recycling law this week

Preparations are underway in Delaware to implement the first phases of a new universal recycling law.  Two additional public meetings are taking place this week for Delawareans who have questions about the requirements. 

Governor Jack Markell signed the law in June of last year.  It calls for waste haulers to bring recycling collection services by September 15th, 2011 to all single-family residential customers, and to bars and restaurants that sell on-premises.  Some haulers will begin the service in April.  All recyclable materials may be placed in one container.

Single-stream recycling collection services would be available to multi-family residences by January 1st, 2013, and all commercial businesses would be participating in a comprehensive recycling program by January 1st, 2014.

The Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Branch of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources is holding two additional meetings for the public to outline the program and answer questions.

One meeting is tonight (Monday March 28th) from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Bear Library, 101 Governor’s Place.  Another session takes place Tuesday (March 29th) from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Western Sussex Boys and Girls Club, 310 Virginia Avenue in Seaford.

DNREC says the fully implemented recycling program will be effective and convenient, while diverting significant amounts of recyclable materials from being dumped in landfills.  Also, the agency says the program holds the potential for creating more jobs and new businesses.

A previous five-cent deposit on returnable bottles was replaced with a four-cent fee to cover the start-up costs  of universal recycling.