More than 2,300 pounds of trash and debris was cleaned up at Taber State Forest./DNREC photo.

Natural Resources Police, DelDOT, DDA and DOC Clean up State Forest

Four state agencies recently teamed up to clean up more than 2,300 pounds of trash and debris illegally dumped and strewn at Taber State Forest in western Kent County – Delaware Natural Resources Police (DNRP), Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and Department of Corrections (DOC).

The cleanup came about after the DNRP Environmental Crimes Unit (ECU) was alerted to illegal dumping activity within the state forest and surrounding area. Items dumped along the roadway and at the entrance to the state forest parking area included furniture, tires, household trash, animal carcasses and other debris. The roadway was also heavily inundated with litter.

“Since 2019, when Governor Carney launched the Keep DE Litter Free initiative to help reduce litter in Delaware, the Environmental Crimes Unit and other Delaware Natural Resources Police units have done our part to thwart illegal dumping across the state,” said ECU Chief Daniel Wood. “So far this year, Delaware Natural Resources Police have handled 95 dumping complaints, resulting in 24 arrests. Anyone arrested for illegal disposal of solid waste, dumping, and littering can expect to pay heavy fines if convicted.”

Under Delaware Code, those found guilty of the illegal disposal of solid waste face a minimum fine of $500 for each charge, with a maximum of $1,500. Violators may also be ordered to pay restitution to the state for costs of cleaning up illegally dumped waste and ordered to perform community service by removing solid waste that was illegally disposed.

Anyone found guilty of littering in Delaware will be fined a minimum of $50 and sentenced to up to eight hours of community service for a first-time offense. A person found guilty of illegal dumping faces a minimum fine of $500 and not less than eight hours of community service. Those found guilty of illegal dumping or littering along a Delaware Byway, in a state-owned park, state forest or wildlife area, or in a national wildlife refuge or on land administered by the United States Department of Interior National Park Service in the state of Delaware, face an additional $500 penalty.

Delaware Natural Resources Police units encourage Delawareans to make use of the Delaware Solid Waste Authority’s Facility Finder map to find locations where they can properly dispose of their solid waste. Residents can dispose of household garbage for as little as $1 per bag at one of DSWA’s collection stations, while bulk items can be taken to transfer stations or landfills with a pay-by-weight system.

Delaware residents and visitors to the First State alike are encouraged to report illegal dumping by calling DNREC’s 24-hour complaint line at 800-662-8802 or by submitting a complaint through the DENRP Tip 411 app.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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January 28, 2024

The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal investigated a fire that damaged an industrial structure in Georgetown, Delaware on January 27, 2024.

The incident, reported shortly before 1:30 P.M., occurred in the 29000 block of Landfill Lane Georgetown, Delaware. The Millsboro Fire Company arrived on the scene and found smoke and fire coming from a structure at the Delaware Solid Waste Authority Facility. Mutual aid fire companies assisted at the scene.

Delaware State Fire Marshal Deputies were called to the scene to perform an investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire. It was determined that the fire was Accidental in nature, originating on the interior of the structure and was caused by an unspecified mechanical malfunction of operating equipment. The structure was not occupied at the time of the fire. There were no reported injuries. Damage is estimated to exceed $1000000.

John M. Galaska
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal
(302) 856-5600 Office

DOVER – Delaware’s Recycling Public Advisory Council (RPAC) will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 25 at the University of Delaware’s Perkins Student Center, 325 Academy St. Newark, DE 19716. The RPAC meeting agenda can be found on the state’s Public Meeting Calendar.

The Recycling Public Advisory Council was enacted into law by Senate Bill 234 in May 2010, and charged with advising the Governor’s Office, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and the Delaware Solid Waste Authority on all aspects of recycling, including: development of grant criteria and selection of applications; a methodology for measuring recycling rates; and possible outreach activities designed to achieve higher recycling rates.

For more information about RPAC, please visit https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/waste-hazardous/recycling/recycling-public-advisory-council/, or contact Jackie Howard, DNREC Solid & Hazardous Waste Management Section, at 302-739-9403.

For more information about the monthly RPAC meeting, please go to https://publicmeetings.delaware.gov/Meeting/60140.

Vol. 48, No. 189

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DOVER – DNREC’s Recycling Program within the Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances is offering compost bins that can be pre-ordered online at a discount price – for pick-up only at a Delaware Solid Waste Authority recycling event Saturday, June 2, at Fort DuPont State Park Parade Grounds, 248 Kent Avenue, Delaware City, DE 19706. Pre-order deadline for the FreeGarden Earth compost bins is May 26. Orders must be placed online at www.enviroworld.us/Delaware, with major credit cards and PayPal accepted.

The compost bins cost $50, which is half the retail price. Bins must be picked up between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the DSWA Delaware City event – during which time DNREC’s Recycling Program will also be onsite helping to feature easy-to-use products that can make organic waste diversion easy in Delaware.

Compost bins can provide homeowners a big organic assist in caring for their lawns and gardens. Beneficial to the environment, compost bins help turn food scraps and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that replaces traditional fertilizers to produce gardens with healthier plants and vegetables.

To learn more about composting in Delaware please visit: dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/waste-hazardous/recycling/composting/. For more information about DNREC’s Recycling Program within the Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances, please contact Don Long by email Donald.long@delaware.gov or by calling 302-739-9403 (ext. 4).

Vol. 48, No. 109

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DOVER – Delaware’s Recycling Public Advisory Council (RPAC) will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24 at the State of Delaware Support Services Office, 100 Enterprise Place, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19904. The RPAC meeting agenda can be found on the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.

The Recycling Public Advisory Council was enacted into law by Senate Bill 234 in May, 2010, and charged with advising the Governor’s Office, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and the Delaware Solid Waste Authority on all aspects of recycling, including: development of grant criteria and selection of applications; a methodology for measuring recycling rates; and possible outreach activities designed to achieve higher recycling rates.

For more information about RPAC, please visit the Advisory Council web page or contact Jackie Howard, DNREC Solid & Hazardous Waste Management Section, at 302-739-9403.

Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.