Background

Dover, DE (pop. 37,366), is the capital of the nation’s first state, and one of the smallest state capitals in the U.S. It is home to a low cost of living with steady economic growth, and is known as one of the iconic stops on the NASCAR circuit. The city’s Department of Public Works is responsible for servicing some 8,000 homes on a regular basis for recycling, refuse, yard waste and bulky item collection. Dover residents recycle every other week as part of the state’s universal recycling program — all accepted items listed below can be recycled anywhere in Delaware.

Materials recycled

Paper Newspapers and inserts, flyers, magazines, catalogs, office paper, junk mail, paperback books, loose paper, aseptic containers and cartons, phonebooks, paperboard and corrugated cardboard (sized to fit the recycling cart) are accepted. Plastics Plastic bottles and containers numbered, rigid plastics (i.e., baskets and buckets) and plastic food tubs and containers (i.e., yogurt and butter containers) are accepted. Metal Aluminum cans and tin/steel cans (rinsed) are accepted. Glass Glass bottles and jars (rinsed) are accepted.

Frequency

Dover residents recycle at the curb on a biweekly basis. Carts can be placed at the curb no earlier than 7 p.m. the day prior to collection and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day. A collection schedule is available online.

Other programs

All yard waste collected at the curb must be enclosed in a 35-gallon (or smaller) privately owned container, though there is not a limit on number of containers per household. Yard waste is collected on the same collection day as recycling. Accepted organics include grass clippings, leaves, shrubs, plants, weeds, limbs and sticks. Paper or plastic yard waste bags are not permitted. Bulky items, including furniture, appliances, rugs and more, are picked up at the curb the collection day of the week opposite to recycling pick-up. No tires, concrete, bricks, chemicals or household hazardous waste are permitted. Call 302.736.7025 for more details. The Delaware Solid Waste Authority holds periodic household hazardous waste collection events across the state year-round. For program details, including accepted items and event dates and locations, please visit the DSWA website.

More information

Visit the City of Dover Sanitation website for more recycling program info.