Waste Reduction & Recycling
What is DelCo doing?
- Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling - The County encourages its employees to recycle by providing convenient receptacles for office paper, cans, and plastic and glass bottles throughout the Government Center complex. At the County we also recycle as many items as possible besides paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum and plastic - other recycled items include laser and inkjet cartridges, cell phones, CFL’s, eyeglasses, thermostats containing mercury, ni-cad and lithium batteries. The County Recycling program also provides services to the community such as hosting HHW Programs (see below).
- Fair Acres Recycling Program – On December 1, 2009, residents and staff of Fair Acres Geriatric Center in Lima began a pilot program to increase recycling activity within their facilities. “Recycling Captains” monitor single-stream collection containers in an effort to reduce waste from one of the largest long-term care facilities on the East Coast.
Recycling Captains John Dallatore (seated, l) and Debbie Kollias (seated, r) kick off the Fair Acres recycling program
Reduce
Keeping down waste is a simple thing that you can do on a daily basis to improve the environment. Bring a reusable shopping bag instead of getting one at the store (most grocery stores also have plastic bag recycling, but it is more energy efficient to use your own bag). One of the easiest ways to reduce energy consumption is by switching to compact florescent light bulbs. You can reduce the chemicals you use by utilizing more environmentally sensitive cleaning products. You can also stop junk mail before it needs to be recycled.
Reuse
When the things you do use no longer work, think of ways to reuse components in new ways. There are lots of crafts that can be done with items that would otherwise be recycled. You can also donate unwanted items to local charities, sell them, or give them away.
Recycle
Most things that can’t be reused can be recycled. The most common recycled items are paper, bottles, and aluminum cans. Many municipalities allow their residents to recycle through their community, but there are also sites located throughout the County where residents can drop off these commonly recycled materials.
You can also recycle organic waste through composting. Delaware County operates a compost farm where residents can drop off yard waste and pick up compost. If you’d like to compost your own food and yard waste, there are many sources of information related to starting your own composting area in your yard.
Safe Disposal
Many other products you use may be hazardous for the environment if disposed of improperly. These items can be recycled or disposed of in various ways including at hazardous waste collection events sponsored by the County. Some of the items to take care of when disposing of or recycling include cell phones, computers and portable televisions, latex paint, compact florescent light bulbs, and devices containing Freon.
Recycling Improvements for Residents
2011 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Dates:
- Saturday, May 7th - Marple Transfer Station (HHW Only) Marpit Dr. & Sussex Blvd., Broomall 19008
- Saturday, April 9th - Emergency Services Training Center, 1600 Calcon Hook Rd., Sharon Hill 19079
- Computers, monitors, scanners, printers, fax machines, and portable TVs will also be accepted at this event (maximum 3 systems per vehicle).
- Thursday, September 15, 2011 Rose Tree Park, N. Providence Rd. (Rte. #252)
Media, 19063 Upper Providence Twp.- Computers, monitors, scanners, printers, fax machines, and portable TVs will also be accepted at this event (maximum 3 systems per vehicle).
- Saturday, October 15, 2011 Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building, 8500 Furey Road( off Chichester Avenue)
Boothwyn, PA 19061
- Computers, monitors, scanners, printers, fax machines, and portable TVs will also be accepted at this event (maximum 3 systems per vehicle).