Four years after adopting a comprehensive and practical plan, we have dramatically increased recycling in Delaware, generating significant economic and environmental benefits while reducing waste management costs. By making it easier for families and businesses to recycle, our 2010 Universal Recycling Law has helped divert hundreds of thousands of tons of waste from our landfills. We now recycle about 450,000 tons of material per year statewide; about three hundred and fifty thousand Delaware households receive curbside service; and our recycling rate has far surpassed national standards after lagging behind for decades.

Universal Recycling is cost-effective, environmentally responsible and convenient for the public and businesses, which is more than enough reason to make it a priority. But in addition to all of that, it has produced a local, sustainable industry and new jobs – nearly 100 of which have been created in the past 18 months at the ReCommunity Recycling Center.

Earlier this week, we highlighted Delaware’s progress at the Delaware Recycling Center in New Castle, where we marked the end of a four-cent beverage fee that was established by the 2010 law to jumpstart our progress. It supported the Delaware Recycling Fund, which provided more than $6.7 million in grants to businesses, schools, municipalities, and community organizations. We needed the public, private, and non-profit sectors to work together for Delawareans to realize the full benefits of recycling.

We have seen tremendous progress, but we have more to do. By educating the public, supporting businesses and enhancing services statewide, our recycling rates will continue to grow and we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.

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