"Zero Waste" is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles where all discarded materials are ultimately designed to become resources for others to use. Implementing "Zero Waste" will eventually eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health. The goal of "Zero Waste" can only be achieved over time. This will require significant changes in legislation, policy, services and programs as well as changes in the behavior of residents and businesses in Bethany Beach. This will also require a significant investment in infrastructure, which might result in higher overall waste management costs in the short term, but will also result in significant environmental benefits in the long term.
A. 
Preparing recyclables for collection.
(1) 
Rinse and remove food/liquids from recyclable items.
(2) 
Remove caps/lids from bottles and containers and place them in the garbage can, not in the recycling cart.
(3) 
Place all recyclables loosely in the recycling cart, and do not place recyclables in plastic bags.
(4) 
Cut (not fold) cardboard into sections and place it in the recycling cart.
(5) 
Place the recycling cart within two feet of the edge of the street, preferably the night before collection. Make sure that the cart is also three feet away from obstacles such as mailboxes, phone poles, vehicles, etc. Please do not block sidewalks.
B. 
Recyclable items:
(1) 
Aerosol cans (empty).
(2) 
Aluminum cans (rinsed and okay to crush).
(3) 
Cardboard (cut into two-feet-by-three-feet sections; do not fold).
(4) 
Glass bottles (rinse, remove and discard lids and tops, okay to leave labels on, all colors acceptable).
(5) 
Milk and juice cartons and boxes (rinse).
(6) 
Paper.
(7) 
Plastics: To find out if an item is recyclable look for a triangle formed by three arrows and look for a number in the center of the triangle. (Hot beverage cups, take-home boxes, egg cartons, meat trays and all plastics with a number 6 in the recyclable triangle are not to be placed in the recycling cart.)
(8) 
Spiral paper cans.
(9) 
Steel/tin cans (rinsed).
C. 
Nonrecyclable items:
(1) 
Appliances (appliances must be scheduled for a bulk trash pickup).
(2) 
Auto parts.
(3) 
Batteries. (Take to DSWA Recycling Center).
(4) 
Bottle caps/lids (removed from bottles and/or containers).
(5) 
Ceramics.
(6) 
Clothing/shoes.
(7) 
Electronics (Take to DSWA full service recycling facility. For more information, call 1-800-404-7080.)
(8) 
Garbage.
(9) 
Light bulbs (incandescent, fluorescent, LEDS, CFLS, etc.).
(10) 
Mini blind.
(11) 
Paper plates, napkins and pizza boxes.
(12) 
Plastic bags, packing material (bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts).
(13) 
Pots and pans.
(14) 
Shredded paper.
(15) 
Styrofoam of any type.
(16) 
Wire hangers.
(17) 
Plastic lawn furniture.
D. 
Recyclable collection. The Town Manager or his designated representative shall have exclusive charge of the collection of recyclables from all residential and commercial units located within the Town. The collection shall be made from properties within the Town as often as may be established by the Town Council of the Town, by resolution, provided that the material is properly stored for collection in a container complying with the provisions of this article and is placed at the curb, alley or street line.
A. 
Preparing for yard waste collection.
(1) 
Brush. Brush piles should be no longer than five feet in length and bundled. Separate brush into piles that are small enough and light enough for one individual to handle.
(2) 
Grass clippings. Grass clippings must be placed in recyclable paper yard waste bags or in containers 32 gallons or less that are clearly marked as yard waste on the outside of the container. Filled containers and recyclable bags shall not weigh more than 50 pounds.
(3) 
Leaves. Leaves must be placed in recyclable paper yard waste bags or in containers 32 gallons or less that are clearly marked as yard waste on the outside of the container. Filled containers and recyclable bags shall not weigh more than 50 pounds.
(4) 
Limbs. Limbs must not be any longer than five feet in length and no larger than four inches in diameter. Limbs should be tied together and separated into piles small enough and light enough for one individual to handle.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection A(5), Logs, which immediately followed, was repealed 3-18-2022 by Ord. No. 557.
B. 
Items accepted for yard waste collection:
(1) 
Grass clippings and leaves.
(2) 
Limbs and tree trimmings.
[Amended 3-18-2022 by Ord. No. 557]
(3) 
Plants, weeds and shrubbery.
C. 
Items not accepted for yard waste collection:
(1) 
Dirt and rocks.
(2) 
Treated lumber and wood.
(3) 
Tree stumps and tree trunks.
[Amended 3-18-2022 by Ord. No. 557]
(4) 
Logs.
[Added 3-18-2022 by Ord. No. 557[2]]
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also renumbered former Subsection C(4) as Subsection C(5).
(5) 
Any and all yard waste placed in plastic bags.
D. 
Yard waste collection. The Town Manager or his designated representative shall have exclusive charge of the collection of yard waste from all residential and commercial units located within the Town. The collection shall be made from properties within the Town as often as may be established by the Town Council of the Town, by resolution, provided that the material is properly stored for collection in a container complying with the provisions of this article and is placed at the curb, alley or street line.