Trash & Recycling in New Castle County, DE (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New Castle County, Delaware.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
New Castle County requires dwelling occupants to store rubbish, garbage and recycling in leakproof, covered containers, with owners supplying the containers and landlords ensuring tenants get regular removal service under the county's Property Maintenance Code.
New Castle County Trash and Recycling Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (Property Maintenance Code § 308.2.1)
Every occupant of a dwelling shall dispose of rubbish, garbage and recycling in a clean and sanitary manner by placing the rubbish, garbage and recycling in approved containers that are leakproof, covered, and designed for outside garbage storage and disposal. The owner of the dwelling shall be responsible for providing the requisite rubbish, garbage and recycling containers.
Bin Placement Rules
New Castle County requires leakproof, covered containers for household rubbish, garbage and recycling, with the dwelling owner responsible for supplying them.
New Castle County Trash Container Rules
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (2024 IPMC § 308.2.1, as amended)
308.2.1 Rubbish, garbage and recycling - disposal, containers. Every occupant of a dwelling shall dispose of rubbish, garbage and recycling in a clean and sanitary manner by placing the rubbish, garbage and recycling in approved containers that are leakproof, covered, and designed for outside garbage storage and disposal. The owner of the dwelling shall be responsible for providing the requisit...
Recycling Requirements
Property Maintenance Code section 7.01.002 requires occupants to dispose of rubbish, garbage, and recycling in leakproof, covered containers, with the dwelling owner responsible for supplying them, enforced by the Code Official.
New Castle County Recycling and Rubbish Disposal Rules
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (Property Maintenance Code § 308.2.1)
308.2.1 Rubbish, garbage and recycling - disposal, containers. Every occupant of a dwelling shall dispose of rubbish, garbage and recycling in a clean and sanitary manner by placing the rubbish, garbage and recycling in approved containers that are leakproof, covered, and designed for outside garbage storage and disposal. The owner of the dwelling shall be responsible for providing the requisit...
Illegal Dumping
New Castle County bans dumping earth, rubbish or debris in any county park without written permission from the Department of Public Works, backed by escalating fines and possible jail time.
New Castle County Park Illegal Dumping Ban
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 24.01.009
No person shall cut, break, move, take or otherwise injure, destroy or deface any trees, shrubs, plants, turf, rock or any building, fence, bridge, sign or other structure or foul any stream, or dump any earth, rubbish, or other substance or material in or upon any park without written permission of the Department of Public Works.
Dumpster Rules
New Castle County limits residential dumpster placement to 30 days, requires a 3-foot setback from property lines, and keeps dumpsters off sightlines to intersections and fire hydrants.
New Castle County Dumpster Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (Property Maintenance Code § 308.3)
In any residentially zoned district, the placement of dumpsters for disposable items is allowed for temporary use by the occupant of the dwelling for 30 days or the time period for which there is an active building permit open on the property. ... The dumpster shall be set back a minimum of 3 feet from any property line ... The location of the dumpster shall not affect the health, safety and we...
Recycling Rules
Dwelling occupants must dispose of rubbish, garbage and recycling in covered, leakproof containers, and the owner must supply them.
New Castle County Recycling Container Rule
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (Property Maintenance Code § 308.2.1)
308.2.1 Rubbish, garbage and recycling - disposal, containers. Every occupant of a dwelling shall dispose of rubbish, garbage and recycling in a clean and sanitary manner by placing the rubbish, garbage and recycling in approved containers that are leakproof, covered, and designed for outside garbage storage and disposal. The owner of the dwelling shall be responsible for providing the requisit...
Trash & Recycling by City in New Castle County
1 cities in New Castle County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All New Castle County ordinances
See every category we cover for New Castle County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
New Castle County Ordinance Hub →