NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Dec. 11, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 472
Contact: Rob Underwood, Division of Air and Waste Management, 302-739-9403; Gary Focht, Park Administrator, Killens Pond State Park, 302-382-4616; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. Photos available by contacting Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Recycle your Christmas tree at a DNREC yard waste drop-off site or state park
Trees can be dropped off Dec. 26 – Jan. 18
Delawareans are encouraged to “Go Green” this holiday season by recycling their Christmas tree at a yard waste drop-off site in New Castle County or a state park in Kent or Sussex County. Trees, free of ornaments, wire and tinsel, can be dropped-off at one of six locations statewide from Dec. 26 through Jan. 18.
New Castle County
Brandywine Hundred Community Yard Waste Demonstration Site
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise posted.
The site is located on the north side of Cauffiel Parkway, approximately 100 yards east of the Cauffiel Parkway and Philadelphia Pike (Business Route 13) intersection.
Polly Drummond Hill Community Yard Waste Demonstration Site
Hours: Daily; 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise posted.
The site is located in the Pike Creek area on Polly Drummond Hill Road, about a ½ mile north of the Kirkwood Highway.
DART Mid-County Community Yard Waste Demonstration Site
Hours: Daily; 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise posted.
The site is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of U.S. Route 13 and Route 72 near Bear. (Turn into the DART facility at 1423 S. Dupont Hwy, Bear.)
Kent County
Killens Pond State Park
5025 Killens Pond Road, Felton
Hours: Daily; 8 a.m. - sunset
Sussex County
Trap Pond State Park
33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel
Hours: Daily; 8 a.m. - sunset
Cape Henlopen State Park
15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes
Hours: Daily; 8 a.m. - sunset
All locations accept trees from families only, not from commercial haulers or tree vendors. Artificial decorations, including hooks, wire, tinsel and ornaments, as well as wood and metal trees stands, must be removed. Signs, designating the location of the drop-off areas at each location, will be posted. To help defray costs, the state parks will accept donations of $2.
According to Gary Focht, state parks tree recycling program coordinator, DNREC’s Christmas tree recycling program is now in its 16th consecutive year at state parks. “The program has grown every year, with more residents seeing the benefits of recycling trees into a useful product – wood chips – that benefit our environment. It’s wonderful that so many people want to give back to the environment and support this eco-friendly activity.”
“Recycling old Christmas trees preserves valuable landfill space,” said Rob Underwood, program manager with DNREC’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch. “The program helps extend the life of Delaware’s landfills and promotes sustainability.”
DNREC’s tree recycling program helps New Castle County residents comply with the northern New Castle County yard waste ban. Approximately 20 percent of all residential waste is composed of grass, leaves, brush, trees and other gardening materials.
For information on yard waste drop-off sites and recycling alternatives, visit DNREC’s website, www.dnrec.delaware.gov and click on “Yard Waste” or contact Rob Underwood, 302-739-9403 or Robert.Underwood@state.de.us.
For more information on the state park tree recycling program, contact Gary Focht, 302-382-4616 or Gary.Focht@state.de.us.
