DSWA’s  Administrative Office is now located at 601 Energy Lane, Dover DE 19901 

History

Home  »  About Us  »  History

History

The enactment in 1975 of Title 7, Chapter 64 of the Delaware Code made the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) responsible for developing, adopting, and implementing the Statewide Waste Management Plan for Delaware. Prior to the establishment of DSWA, a disjointed public and private collection and disposal system existed throughout Delaware. Delaware had no significant public recycling programs and minimal private recycling companies.

The growth in population and development led to an increased quantity and complexity of solid waste generation, which made waste disposal problems acute in densely populated areas. In less densely populated areas, the protection of the groundwater and wetlands were not a consideration in the disposal of solid waste. Counties and municipalities turned to the State for solutions to their solid waste disposal problems. The State Legislature established The Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) on August 12, 1975, based on a recommendation from DNREC in a document entitled, “State Plan for Solid Waste Management”.

August 12, 1975

DSWA Is Formed

August 12, 1975
October 23, 1980

Sandtown Landfill Opens

October 23, 1980
January 1, 1981

DSWA Takes Over Operations of Pigeon Point Landfill

January 1, 1981
July 1, 1981

DSWA Takes Over Operation of 3 Kent County Collection Stations

July 1, 1981
March 1984

Delaware Reclamation Plant Commerical Operations Begin

March 1984
September 17, 1984

Jones Crossroads Landfill Opens

September 17, 1984
October 19, 1985

Pigeon Point Landfill Closes
Cherry Island Landfill Opens

October 19, 1985
October 1988

Glass Recycling Program Begins

October 1988
November 28, 1990

Recycle Delaware Program Begins

November 28, 1990
January 2, 1991

Pine Tree Corners Transfer Station Opens

January 2, 1991
July 1, 1993

DSWA Opens Sussex County Collection Stations

July 1, 1993
June 1994

Delaware Reclamation Plant Ends Operations; Reopens as Transfer Station

June 1994
January 1995

Statewide Household Hazardous Waste Collection Begins

January 1995
July 2001

Electronic Goods Recycling Program Begins

July 2001
November 2002

DSWA Begins Multistream Curbside Recycling Program

November 2002
May 2006

Milford Transfer Station Opens

May 2006
August 2006

Rt. 5 Transfer Station Opens

August 2006
July 2007

DSWA Begins Single Stream Curbside Recycling

July 2007
September 15, 2011

Universal Recycling begins DSWA ends its single-stream recycling collection and the private sector begins to provide curbside service

September 15, 2011
April 2012

DSWA Partner Revolution Recovery Begins Operations of C&D Recycling Facility

April 2012
July 2013

DSWA Partner ReCommunity Opens Materials Recovery Facility at Delaware Recycling Center

July 2013
September 2013

DSWA opens Environmental Education Building

September 2013
October 2017

DSWA Opens Southern Recycling Center at the Jones Crossroads Landfill

October 2017
July 2020

DSWA Opens Newark Recycling Center

July 2020