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First State has plenty to celebrate on America Recycles Day

DNREC

Delaware is one of the top states when it comes to diverting trash.

More than 44% of municipal solid waste in Delaware is diverted from landfills and reused—this number has doubled since 2006, and is 10% above the national average.

State officials say they are working towards a 60% diversion rate in 2020.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources Planner Don Long attributes much of the state’s success to resident participation, but urges Delawareans to be sure their trash is correctly separated when it goes out to the curb.

“One of the things we’re really pushing is people recycle more, but they also recycle right. They put the right materials in their single stream curbside collections,” said Long.

Long also says Delaware is set apart by its yard waste ban—a rule not implemented by all other states.

“There’s a separate collection for yard waste, or in some areas there’s a drop off place for yard waste It’s material that’s diverted from the landfill because it’s not allowed,” said Long.

DNREC urges people in the First State to purchase items with post-consumer recycled content, and to compost food waste to boost your lawn or garden.

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