Delaware law requires recycling pickup for homes and businesses

Waste collectors provide recycling pickup and containers to covered customers. The rules cover single-family homes, businesses with on-premise sales, and multi-family residential complexes served by waste collectors in Delaware. Local governments that do not bill separately for waste collection are exempt from combining waste and recycling costs on one bill. A multi-family site may be excluded if physical limits prevent placing both trash and recycling containers; the Department must review and approve the exclusion. The text sets deadlines of September 15, 2011, for single-family homes and on-premise sales customers, and January 1, 2013, for multi-family customers.

Commercial businesses assess and recycle certain waste, and their collectors provide recycling service. These rules apply to commercial businesses and people who collect waste for commercial customers. Businesses must recycle identified waste when commercially available recycling exists, unless they determine recycling costs more than disposal. Businesses must keep records of their review for Department inspection. The text sets January 1, 2014, as the date by which commercial businesses must participate. Collector pickup must occur at least every other week.

The Department administers recycling grants and loans and receives annual recycling reports. People who collect, process, or market recyclables generally report to the Department; the stated exception covers people who transport and deliver waste or recyclables they generated on their own property. Recycling businesses may apply for grants or low-interest loans. Grant and loan awards depend on Fund money and are competitive; recipients must agree to audits and cooperate with auditors. No more than 10% of Fund revenue may be used for Department administration without Joint Finance Committee approval. Reports are due by February 15 for the prior calendar year. The first report covers 2011 and is due February 15, 2012.