NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Contact: Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902
New Castle County residential yard waste drop-off area opens at Holland Mulch
NORTH WILMINGTON (April 28, 2011) – Senator Harris McDowell, Representative Debra Heffernan, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara and Holland Mulch owner John Duffy today announced that Brandywine Hundred residents now have a long-term, free option for disposal of their yard waste.
As part of a public/private arrangement, Holland Mulch has agreed to a five-year commitment to the community, with a separate entrance on Holland Mulch’s Hay Road site opened specifically for residents to drop off their yard waste free of charge.
Holland Mulch has been accepting yard waste from residents since DNREC closed the Brandywine Hundred yard waste demonstration site at Bellevue State Park last June due to concerns from the neighboring community. However, residents had been using Holland Mulch’s commercial entrance, which Rep. Heffernan said presented safety concerns. During a tour of the site, she saw residents dropping off yard waste near heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.
“When I was out walking in my district last year, residents said they really wanted a long-term yard waste solution,” said Rep. Heffernan (D-Brandywine Hundred South). "This agreement is a really positive step, providing a free and safe site for residents. This is a great public/private partnership that will benefit both the environment and the community.”
Holland Mulch will offer a free yard waste drop-off site to residents for at least five years. The company, located at 135 Hay Road in Edgemoor, has constructed the separate yard waste drop-off entrance and exit for residents on the west side of Hay Road.
The drop-off site will be monitored by Holland Mulch staff and available for Delaware residents to drop off their yard waste during the company’s normal weekday business hours Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. - noon.
“Holland Mulch’s business and location are a perfect fit for the needs of residents of our area,” said Sen. McDowell (D-Wilmington North). “Mr. Duffy and Holland Mulch are filling a community need even while they’re collecting valuable material for their business. This is a win-win for everyone involved.”
“Rep. Heffernan and Sen. McDowell worked with me to make this site available to the public, and I appreciate their help as well as the help from staff at DNREC,” Mr. Duffy said. “Doing this will save the landfill from overflowing and continue our company’s relationship with the community.”
“Diversion of approximately 50,000 tons of yard waste per year in New Castle County yields an incredible amount of mulch and compost,” said Secretary O’Mara. “The Holland Mulch yard waste site continues this diversion and reuse and is our first opportunity to transition management of yard waste in northern New Castle County to the private sector, which has been our goal since establishing the demonstration yard waste sites. My thanks to everyone who worked on this project that will reduce the state’s financial obligation while creating a private sector market opportunity.”
DNREC’s DART yard waste site near Bear and Polly Drummond site near Newark will continue to be open 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday through Monday and closed Tuesday through Thursday for the foreseeable future.
For more information on yard waste and recycling, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste or call 302-739-9403.
To learn more about the many programs and services offered by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, please visit: www.dnrec.delaware.gov.
Vol. 41, No. 170
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Directions to Holland Mulch, 135 Hay Road, Edgemoor, DE 19809. Take I-95 to I-495N, then take exit 4 onto Hay Road; Holland Mulch is located approximately 100 yards on the right on Hay Road.
