Recycling

Curbside recycling is collected by the City of Lewes.  Please be sure to review the Calendar of City Service to determine your pickup day. Recycling is picked up weekly. Please note that the City will not pick up recycling on City holidays, therefore, collection will be one day later than indicated on the schedule.

Review the How to Recycle Guide (PDF), or request a hard copy by calling Delaware Solid Waste Authority’s Citizens’ Response line at 800-404-7080. For more information on recycling go to the Delaware State website.

View the City Services Schedule here.

Recycle Right - Featuring Mayor Andrew Williams

Recycling Carts


Trash and Recycle Cart Fee Change Effective Immediately 

The City is changing the price of the 64-gallon trash cart from $48 to $70 per cart effective immediately. The 96-gallon trash and recycling cart originally priced at $70 has been increased to $80. In our efforts to replenish our trash and recycle cart inventories, city expenses relating to the purchase price and shipping costs have increased significantly therefore necessitating these fee changes. In the past the City of Lewes received a grant from the State of Delaware for recycle carts and passed on this savings to our property owners by offering free recycle carts. This grant funding is no longer available to the city. Sometimes the Maintenance Department staff can fix minor repairs to carts such as a damaged lid, malfunctioning wheel, or broken handle. When your trash or recycle carts are damaged beyond these repairs new carts must be purchased by the property owner. If you have questions or if you need a new cart, please contact City Hall at 302-645-7777. 

Each single-family residential property has been assigned a recycling cart by the City. Recycling will be collected every week. One additional bag of recyclables in addition to the cart will be allowed. If your cart contains unacceptable items, your recycling will not be collected. Your cart must be rolled out to the curb and/or removed from an enclosure for it to be picked up.

Recyclopedia

Do you ever finish with an item an wonder whether you should throw it in the trash cart or the recycling cart? The Delaware Recycles Program has developed a tool called Recyclopedia. Visit de.gov/recycling and type in the item in the search bar under Recyclopedia and find out. 

Recyclable Items

The following items can be put in your recycling cart:

  • Aluminum and Steel cans
  • Boxboard, such as cereal boxes (broken down)
  • Colored and White Paper
  • Corrugated Cardboard (broken down)
  • Glass Bottles or Jars
  • Paper, such as Magazines, Junk Mail, Envelopes, Newspaper,
  • Plastic with 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 on the bottom
  • Steel or Tin Cans

Unacceptable Items

  • Ceramics
  • Chemical Containers
  • Computers
  • Dishes
  • Food
  • Household Garbage
  • Light Bulbs
  • Monitors
  • Motor Oil Containers
  • Napkins
  • Paper Towels
  • Plastic Bags
  • Scrap Metal
  • Shredded Paper
  • Straws
  • Styrofoam
  • Televisions
  • Utensils
  • Waxed Cardboard
  • Window Glass and Mirrors
  • Yard Waste

Fortunately, being “unacceptable” does not necessarily mean that it is not recyclable; it means you cannot put it in the recycling cart. Lots of materials are recyclable. For more information on what is recyclable go to Earth 911.To find a drop off location for other recyclable materials, go to Delaware Solid Waste Authority’s website.

delaware-recycles-posterElectronic Goods Recycling Program

For more information on DSWA's Electronic Goods Recycling Program or any other Delaware Solid Waste Authority program or facilities, please call the Citizens' Response Line at 800-404-7080.