Plastic Free Delaware
About Plastic Free Delaware
Plastic Free Delaware gives Delaware residents a practical way to act on plastic pollution, with school outreach, composting support, youth programs, and policy advocacy rooted in the state itself. Its work reaches classrooms, restaurants, community groups, and local sites where waste can be reduced in visible, everyday ways. If you care about cleaner communities and a zero-waste future, this is an organization that turns that concern into local action.
What sets Plastic Free Delaware apart is how it stays close to the ground while still pushing for statewide change. It supports site-based composting, including Delaware’s first community composting site, while also showing up in schools, youth gatherings, and policy conversations.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Delaware Community Composting Initiative (DCCI)
Provides educational programs, collaboration, and technical assistance to help establish campus and community composting sites, including support through the DNREC permitting process, volunteer training, and the first year of site operations.
Delaware Youth Environmental Summit (YES!)
A statewide summit for Delaware high school students focused on environmental issues, advocacy, and youth engagement.
School programs
Classroom visits and teacher resources on plastic pollution, including educational materials for teachers and school-based outreach.
Food Waste Reduction Pilot Program
A year-long school program that includes cafeteria waste audits, a school-specific food waste reduction campaign, and an option to add onsite composting.
Plastic Free Lunch Day
A school, business, and community action day focused on preparing and serving lunches with as little plastic as possible, with audits and awareness activities.
Lunch & Learn livestreams
Monthly virtual talks with guest speakers and discussion on environmental protection, plastic reduction, and zero waste topics.
Green Drinks Delaware
A monthly virtual networking and discussion series for people interested in environmental protection and sustainability.
Policy and advocacy initiatives
Action alerts and committee work supporting legislation and policy changes related to single-use plastics, composting, and zero waste.
Hold On To Your Butt
A cigarette-butt reduction program launched in partnership with the Delaware Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and DNREC.
Really Really Free Markets
Free community exchange events that promote reuse, mutual aid, circularity, and waste reduction.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
In order to improve the health and welfare of animals, humans, our communities, and the environment, Plastic Free Delaware aims to eliminate the scourge of plastic pollution and build a culture of zero waste in Delaware through educational programs, awareness building, outreach, and policy initiatives.
Who they serve
Delaware residents, students, schools, community groups, restaurants, and organizations interested in reducing plastic waste and food waste.
Their impact
- Helped Delaware become the fourth U.S. state to ban single-use plastic bags in 2019.
- The Talley Day Park community composting site diverted more than 2 tons of food scraps from the landfill.
- The 2025 YES! summit drew more than 750 high school students and teachers/advisors from 44 high schools and teen groups.
- The 2025 YES! summit featured 5 keynote speakers, 28 breakout workshops, and 55 exhibitors.
- More than 5,500 Delaware residents and visitors were directly touched or participated in its educational programs in 2025.
- A school switch to reusable totes saved more than 56,000 bags each year.
- Outreach led more than 100 restaurants to voluntarily offer straws by request only.
- The 2025 Plastic Free Lunch Day poster contest received 53 entries.
How your donation helps
- Educational programs across Delaware
- Outreach and awareness-building efforts
- Policy and advocacy initiatives
- The Delaware Community Composting Initiative
- School programs, waste audits, and Plastic Free Lunch Day
- Youth engagement through the Delaware Youth Environmental Summit
Our story
Plastic Free Delaware started in 2008, when the Brandywine Sprouts, a Delaware Roots & Shoots youth chapter, took on single-use plastic bags. The effort began as BringYourOwnBag Delaware, then grew as the work expanded beyond bags to broader single-use plastic pollution and zero-waste goals. In 2020, it became a standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Plastic Free Delaware’s services.
Schools, community groups, and organizations can contact the organization to request classroom visits, schedule a speaker, join a webinar, or explore DCCI community composting. Community composting applicants must attend an information session and meet program prerequisites before applying.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
"These are just the start, and are necessary to build the future."
"It is working!" - James E. Jordan, Jr.
"We can do this TOGETHER and make a difference while building community strength and resilience."
Events
Delaware Youth Environmental Summit (YES!)
annualAnnual statewide summit for Delaware high school students focused on environmental advocacy and action.
Green Drinks Delaware
monthlyVirtual conversations and presentations with guest speakers on environmental protection and sustainability.
Lunch & Learn livestreams
monthlyVirtual talks with guest speakers and discussion on a different environmental topic each month.
#OptOutside Black Friday 5K
annualA fundraiser and community event highlighted in the organization's annual reporting.
Really Really Free Market
occasionalA community mutual-aid event centered on free exchange and reuse.
Tour the MRF
special eventA special tour of the Materials Recovery Facility with Delaware Solid Waste Authority.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Plastic Free Delaware has shared.
Current needs
- Volunteers for education and outreach, YES!, special events, and policy advocacy
- Community partners with a site, liaison manager, and volunteers for DCCI composting projects
- Sponsors and funders for educational, outreach, and advocacy programs
- Schools and groups willing to host classroom visits, film screenings, and Plastic Free Lunch Day activities
Volunteer opportunities
- Education & Outreach Committee
- YES! Youth Environmental Summit support
- Black Friday 5K Event Committee
- Special Events & Membership
- Policy & Advocacy Committee
- DCCI community composting support
- Reusable bag giveaways and festival tabling
- Speakers bureau and school programs
Recognition & press
In the media
- WDEL, Delaware's First Community Composting Site Opens at Talley Day Park
- Delaware Public Media, Delaware's First Community Composting Site Opens
- Delaware Online, Sustainable milestone
- Delaware Live and Town Square Delaware, Community composting facility starting in Brandywine Hundred
- WDEL, VIDEO | Plastic, single-use plastic bags targeted for partial ban in Delaware
- WHYY, What other states are doing about plastic bags and what might happen with Pa.'s proposed ban
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What does the Delaware Community Composting Initiative help communities do?
It helps communities set up composting sites with educational programs, technical assistance, volunteer training, and support through the DNREC permitting process and the first year of operations.
How does the food waste reduction pilot work in schools?
The program runs for a year. It includes cafeteria waste audits in the fall and spring, helps the school build a custom food waste reduction campaign, and can also include onsite composting.
Who can attend YES!?
YES! is open to Delaware high school students.
What is Plastic Free Lunch Day?
It’s a Delaware action day for schools, businesses, and individuals to prepare and serve lunches with as little plastic as possible, often with waste audits and awareness activities alongside it.
What does the community composting program require from a partner site?
A partner site needs at least one manager or liaison, at least five trained volunteers or a school, a physical site of about 270 square feet, and a commitment formalized through an MOU.
Similar nonprofits
Other pollution abatement & control nonprofits in DE.