NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Feb. 18, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 36

Contact:  Bryan Ashby, Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Section, 302-739-9403; or Melanie Rapp and Melinda Carl, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DNREC issues Secretary's Order for continued operations and expansion
of Sandtown landfill; Permit will require a ban on yard waste disposal

DOVER – Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara has issued a Secretary’s Order directing that a permit be issued to the Delaware Solid Waste Authority for continued operations and expansion of the Central Solid Waste Management Center, known as the Sandtown landfill.

The Order directs that the permit: allow the Sandtown landfill to operate for another 10 years; expand the disposal area by 59.7 acres; and ban yard waste disposal at the landfill, after a transition period that includes public outreach and education by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority. 

“The ban on yard waste disposal at the Sandtown landfill, along with Cherry Island in New Castle County and Jones Crossroads in Sussex County, will keep an estimated 80,000 tons a year of recyclables out of our landfills and substantially increase Delaware’s recycling rate,” said Secretary Collin O’Mara. “Keeping yard waste out of landfills moves Delaware towards its statewide recycling goals and postpones the need for the construction of new landfill sites.”

The existing disposal area at the Sandtown landfill will reach full capacity in the near future, and the expansion area will allow for continued solid waste disposal at the site. According to the Delaware Solid Waste Authority permit application, the expansion is estimated to provide an additional 17 - 18 years to the Sandtown landfill’s ability to handle solid wastes.

The Department recently addressed the need for additional landfill capacity in Sussex County after reviewing and approving DSWA’s application to expand the Jones Crossroads Landfill. The landfill’s draft permit condition requires a ban on yard waste disposal that will conserve valuable landfill space and promote recycling.

Many alternatives to manage yard wastes are now available statewide for Delawareans. Curbside recycling pick-up, trash haulers and other businesses offer recycling services, including yard waste mulching and commercial-scale composting. DSWA facilities will also accept segregated yard waste for a fee. For a list of yard waste disposal options, visit DNREC’s website, www.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste.

The Secretary’s Order and related documents can be found at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Info/Pages/SecOrders.aspx.