DSWA Public Education Programs

The Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) is very proud of its public outreach programs and the positive effects that they have on Delaware Residents. We are educating the citizens about our programs through presentations at the schools and in various communities, attending at special events, and providing our educational books and program brochures. We have multiple educational books for children of all ages with topics ranging from Recycling to Composting. These books are made available at presentations in schools across the state and at special events.

Throughout our educational materials you will notice DSWA’s mascot Trash Can Dan. Trash Can Dan’s mission is to teach children to think about what they throw away and do with it, and what the affects of their actions may be. He promotes Recycling, Composting, and educating children about the environment. Trash Can Dan is not only a character in our activity and coloring books, but he often attends our presentations and events. Trash Can Dan isn’t alone in his mission to teach children about the environment. He also has his friends, The Clean Up Kids. Together Trash Can Dan and The Clean Up Kids teach children about the environmental topics that are important in our state today and the Earth’s future.

DSWA has two Public Information Coordinators who are available throughout the year to visit schools, Scouting Organizations or other groups. Presentations are available on various environmental topics such as Recycling, Landfilling, Composting, and the effects of litter on the ecosystem.

Learning about these topics helps children to gain a better understanding of the world around them and makes them aware of their role as aids to our natural resources. DSWA believes environmental education is crucial to a child’s education, as it directly affects their future as well as ours.

Feedback from teachers over the past several years confirms that our presentations are informative and useful.

DSWA is very proud of our extensive programs and excited about the variety of presentations and educational materials. If you are interested in having a presentation in your classroom, please contact Sarah Burns or Tracy Cook at the DSWA Citizens’ Response Line at, 1-800-404-7080.