Delaware's Universal Recycling Law (7 Del.C. Chapter 60, §6060) requires all waste haulers to offer curbside recycling to single-family residential customers in New Castle County. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, steel cans, and plastics #1 and #2. DSWA manages the statewide recycling infrastructure. Multifamily and commercial recycling is also mandated.
Delaware's Universal Recycling Law (7 Del.C. §6060, enacted 2010) mandates statewide access to recycling and requires all waste haulers to provide curbside single-stream recycling service to residential customers as part of their trash contract in New Castle County. The law applies to single-family homes served by private haulers and to multifamily properties (5+ units) which must offer dumpster-based recycling. Commercial businesses are also required to recycle under the law. Accepted materials statewide include mixed paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, and plastics marked #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE). Delaware markets do not consistently accept plastics #3 through #7, and plastic bags, film, and styrofoam are not accepted curbside and must go to designated store drop-off. Contaminated recycling (food waste, plastic bags, unrinsed containers) may be rejected by the hauler. Yard waste has separate collection or composting options through DSWA. Electronic waste is prohibited from trash under 7 Del.C. §6060A and must go to DSWA e-cycling drop-off. DSWA operates a network of drop-off recycling centers across New Castle County for residents without curbside service or for excess materials.
Hauler failure to offer recycling: DNREC enforcement, fines up to $500/day per 7 Del.C. §6060. Commercial non-compliance with recycling mandate: $500 to $10,000+. Residential contamination: contaminated bins skipped; repeat offenses may incur $25 to $100 fees from the hauler. E-waste in trash: $100 to $500.
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See how New Castle County's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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