Biocycle Magazine, Regional Roundup

Dagsboro, Delaware
BLUE HEN COMPOSTING
The Blue Hen Organics Recycling Center, built, owned and operated by Blue Hen Disposal and Tunnell Companies L.P., opened in April in Sussex County. “It has taken nearly five years to permit, design and construct the facility which is the first of its kind in southern Delaware,” explains Robert Tunnell III of Blue Hen Organics. The 46-acre facility is permitted by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to process 50,000 cubic yards annually of clean, nontoxic, nonhazardous biodegradable materials such as yard trimmings, grass clippings, leaves, land clearing debris and poultry manure. Located in the heart of Delmarva’s agribusiness community and a short drive from Sussex County’s highly populated beach areas, it is open to the general public, landscaping contractors, commercial haulers and farmers.
“With the Delaware Solid Waste Authority implementing a yard waste ban in 2011 and landfill rates dramatically increasing July 1, 2010, Blue Hen Organics offers southern Delaware residents a low-cost option for their yard waste,” says Tunnell. “Our drop-off rates for most organic materials
are $20 a ton.” These materials are recycled into compost, topsoil, and specialty compost-based soil blends.
Visit www.bluehenorganics.com for more information.

July 2010, Biocycle