Division of Air and Waste Management

Solid waste is defined under Delaware Code as:

"Any garbage, refuse, refuse-derived fuel, demolition and construction waste wood, sludge from a waste treatment plant, water supply treatment plant or air pollution control facility and other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, mining and agricultural operations, and from community activities…"

In Delaware, the Department’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Branch issues permits to transport solid waste and permits and inspects landfills and transfer stations, but it does not provide trash collection services nor does it run the landfills. Trash collection is either provided by the local government or individuals can hire a private waste hauler.  Delawareans also have the option to self haul by taking their household trash to a landfill, transfer station transfer station or collection station collection station. It is illegal to burn solid waste in Delaware.

Most of the solid waste disposed of in Delaware goes to one of three landfills run by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA). Delaware also has several programs to reuse or recycle solid wastes that have traditionally gone into the landfill, such as yard waste, tires, e-waste, and traditional recyclables such as paper, junk mail, glass bottles, cans, plastics, cardboard and paperboard.

A

• A Scenario for Resource Management in the State of Delaware
• An Assessment of Waste and Dredging Issues Relating to Landfill Capacity in the State of Delaware

C

• Checklist for Landfill Permit Application
• Checklist for Landfill Permit Application  
• Checklist to Construct and/or Operate a Resource Recovery Station

H

• How do I dispose of or recycle?

I

• Infectious Waste

L

• Landfills, Collection Stations and Transfer Stations

M

• Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling and Disposal in the United States

P

• Permit Fees

S

• Solid Waste Facilities 
• Solid Waste Management Facility Application
• Solid Waste Management Alternatives 
• Solid Waste Regulations 
• Solid Waste Transporter Permit Application 

W

• Where Do I Recycle in Delaware?

For more information on Solid Waste in Delaware, contact:

Nancy Marker
Environmental Program Manager II
Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Branch
302.739.9403
nancy.marker@state.de.us