Blue River Resources Gets Go-Ahead for Delaware MRF

Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has issued a solid waste resource recovery permit for the first private materials recovery facility (MRF) in the state. The MRF, operated by Blue River Resources LLC, will sort, separate and market recyclables.

The DNREC permit enables Blue River Resources to operate a materials recovery facility to separate and aggregate single-stream recyclables collected from New Castle County and the surrounding area. Blue River Resources has outfitted a former tire recycling center for sorting, separating and baling recyclables. The permit, issued by DNREC, allows the company to take recyclables deliveries from as far as 50 miles away — potentially a four-state area including Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey.

The facility is permitted to accept up to 4,500 tons per week of single-stream recyclables, including paper, cardboard, plastic, metal and glass.

According to a release from the Delaware’s DNREC, Delaware’s Recycling Public Advisory Council has long advocated for a MRF in the state to sort and separate the recyclables collected into their various streams for both profit and in helping gather momentum for recycling in the state.

“I applaud Blue River’s leadership in being the first to act and take advantage of new materials markets created in Delaware because we implemented universal recycling,” says Delaware Governor Jack Markell. “Blue River will create local jobs and strengthen our economy while giving second life to materials we throw away, sparing valuable landfill space. We congratulate Blue River on recognizing a significant market opportunity that benefits the public and also provides the potential for great business success.”

“Blue River Resources’ new facility attests that the economics of recycling can be profitable and that these investments make sense, both environmentally and economically,” says DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara. ”This is recycling at work on both sides of the street—Blue River Resources diverts these materials from the public that once would’ve gone into our oversubscribed landfills then directs them to a market where recyclables such as paper and plastic command a good price for reuse. Meanwhile, Delaware’s universal recycling law ensures that Blue River will have sustainable volumes that get their processing efforts to market.”

“Since the majority of the state’s population and businesses are in New Castle County, and because the county is closer to the end markets for the recyclables, then logically it’s also the best location for a materials recovery facility in Delaware,” O’Mara adds. “Blue River Resources choosing to locate on a former Brownfield site for operating a ‘clean’ material recovery facility is another benefit for the state and an example for future green businesses.”

Herb Northrop, Blue River’s president, says, “Blue River Resources is proud to be the first full-service permitted material recovery facility in the state of Delaware. We are excited about the opportunity to help support the universal recycling law by utilizing our years of experience and advanced technology to provide cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternatives to landfills for Delaware’s homes, businesses, schools and institutions.”