The Delaware House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would establish a framework for a statewide residential curbside recycling system. The proposed program would be funded by the Delaware Recycling Fund through a new $3 per ton tax on trash. The bill now is pending in the Delaware Senate. The Maryland-Delaware Solid Waste Association (MDSWA) opposes the tax in this legislation.

These new taxes would be assessed unequally. Local governments that already offer a program to all residents would be exempt from paying the tax. But many of Delaware residents – who recycle on their own, use the Delaware Solid Waste Authority or pay a private hauler for recycling – would not be exempt and would be forced to pay. The exemption would not be offered to local businesses that have recycling programs. The tax would apply to all trash, including construction and demolition waste, commercial waste, and municipal solid waste. There would be no exceptions for businesses or schools already recycling or who are planning a recycling program.

Creating further inequities, local governments that are exempt from paying the tax could receive state funding through the program, creating situations where non-exempt communities will subsidize exempt communities.

“The Maryland-Delaware Solid Waste Association opposes the new $3 per ton trash tax because our members believe that it is not good public policy,” said MDSWA’s Director Alice Jacobsohn. “Delaware residents should not be fooled by the term ‘assessment’ or ‘fee’ in the bill. The supporters of the legislation should be upfront with their constituents. They are proposing a new tax!”

Jacobsohn added, “Americans already are reeling from inflation at the gas station and supermarket. Delaware residents living on fixed incomes – such as senior citizens or those living on social security – are especially vulnerable. Why add to their cost of living with an unnecessary new tax?”

Many people in Delaware already have recognized the need to recycle without state legislation. In fact, more than 60,000 Delaware households already are recycling. And the number of households engaging in recycling efforts is increasing every day.

Jacobsohn concluded, “Most MDSWA members already are engaged in recycling. Many of them have been for years. They are looking to increase this area of their businesses, making recycling available to their customers. New taxes only serve to hinder this on-going progress.”

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MDSWA is a trade association that serves the interests of solid wastes and recyclables collection and management companies of all sizes in Delaware. Members also include engineering, financial, and legal firms as well as manufacturers and distributors of equipment and products used for the management of wastes and recyclables. We are a chapter of the National Solid Wastes Management Association with members in all fifty states.