NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Vol. 37, No. 106
March 20, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Bill Miller, Division of Air and Waste Management, Solid and Hazardous Waste Section, 302-739-9403 or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Two Yard Waste Drop-off Sites in New Castle County Will Temporarily Close
Maintenance Activities Will Grind Yard Waste Into Mulch; Free Mulch Will Be Available
Two DNREC community yard waste demonstration sites will be temporarily closed for maintenance activities to grind the yard waste into free, usable mulch for residents in New Castle County. The DART Mid-County Yard Waste Demonstration Site, located at intersection of Route U.S. 13 and Route 72 near Bear, will close Thursday, March 20 - Friday, March 21. The Polly Drummond Hill Yard Waste Demonstration Site, located near Newark on Polly Drummond Hill Road, approximately ½ mile north of the Kirkwood Highway, will close Monday, March 24 - Thursday, March 27.
“Our sites near Bear and Newark are filled to capacity with yard waste from residents,” said Robert Underwood, program manager. “We are pleased with the tremendous support, but we must close the two sites for a few days to bring in equipment to grind yard waste into mulch. When the sites reopen, we will offer free mulch to New Castle County residents, while supplies last.”
The Mid-County Site near Bear will reopen 8:30 a.m., Saturday, March 22 and will also be open 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Easter Sunday, March 23.The Polly Drummond Hill Site near Newark will reopen 8:30 a.m., Friday, March 28. New Castle County residents can pick up free mulch at each location while supplies last. Residents should bring their own shovels, containers or bags for loose mulch and will need to load mulch into their own vehicles.
The Brandywine Hundred Community Yard Waste Drop-off Site, located on the north side of Cauffiel Parkway, approximately 100 yards east of the Cauffiel Parkway and Philadelphia Pike (Business Route 13) will remain open everyday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Yard waste makes up a large percentage of the residential waste that goes into landfills. These include plant materials from lawn maintenance and landscaping activities such as grass clippings, leaves, prunings, brush, shrubs, garden materials, Christmas trees and tree limbs up to four inches in diameter. Keeping yard waste out of landfills by recycling and composting extends the life the landfill and promotes sustainability.
DNREC’s three community yard waste demonstration sites were developed as one of many yard waste management options to help New Castle County residents comply with the yard waste ban. Commercial businesses, such as landscaping and lawn care companies, as well as municipalities are not eligible to drop off materials at the sites.
On Jan. 24, 2008 the New Castle County ban on yard waste went into effect, prohibiting all yard waste materials from being disposed or mixed in with other household trash going to the Cherry Island Landfill. New Castle County residents are required to dispose of yard waste through an alternative method – drop it off at one of DNREC’s free yard waste drop-off sites; use a mulching mower or compost it; have it hauled away by a private hauler, landscaper, or the Delaware Solid Waste Authority for recycling; or take it to one of the commercial facilities available in New Castle County.
DNREC’s Community Yard Waste Demonstration Sites:
Brandywine Hundred Community Yard Waste Demonstration Site
Open everyday 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.
DART Mid-County Community Yard Waste Demonstration Site
Closed March 20 -21; Reopening March 22.
Hours: Everyday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise posted.
The site is located on the Southwest corner of the intersection of Routes 13 and 72 near Bear. (Turn into the DART facility at 1423 S. Dupont Hwy, Bear, DE).
Polly Drummond Hill Community Yard Waste Demonstration Site
Closed March 24 – 27; Reopening March 28.
Open everyday 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.
More information can be found online at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste or by calling 302-739-9403.
