Tulsa's new trash system starts Monday
BY BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Sunday, September 30, 2012
9/30/12 at 8:08 AM
Find all the stories, resources and contact information about the changes to Tulsa’s trash service.
Tulsa's new trash and recycling system has been discussed and planned for years - and Monday it's finally launching.
As the city's 116,500 households start to adapt to the program, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The carts: Residents have received their city-issued trash and recycling carts for the new system. No other containers can be used.
City staff is recommending that people bag their waste to place inside their trash carts, even though the City Council has not yet approved an ordinance requiring that measure.
Only unbagged recyclable materials can go into the recycling cart. Residents do not have to sort the recyclables.
A complete list of what can be recycled can be found at tulsaworld.com/trashchanges.
Overflow: Extra waste that cannot fit into a trash cart can be placed in any type bag, with a special orange sticker placed near the bag's neck to be taken away by haulers.
These stickers can be purchased for 50 cents each at Tulsa-area QuikTrip locations.
Each Tulsa household should have received 10 free stickers in the mail for their overflow refuse bags.
Also starting Monday is a green-waste collection program, which is being conducted by city crews.
Households can set out bags of lawn clippings, leaves and other green waste to be taken away if they have a special lime green rectangular sticker attached.
These stickers, too, can be purchased at area QuikTrip locations for 50 cents each.
The green waste must be in clear bags so crews can verify it is actually green waste, which is then taken to the city's green-waste facility.
If the green waste is a small bundle of branches, the sticker can be adhered to the bundle.
No free green-waste stickers are being issued to households, but November, December and January are free green-waste collection months when the stickers are not required.
Green waste can be placed in a resident's trash cart, with no sticker, if there is enough room so the lid still closes.
Bulky waste: City crews also are beginning a bulky waste collection program, rather than it being done by the trash hauler.
Households may call 918-596-9777 to arrange for a pickup.
There will be a $5 fee per collection, which is based on volume, not item. It will show up on the next month's city utility bill.
City officials have said the volume can be as large as a small vehicle.
Collection days: For the 5,789 households that opted for twice-a-week collection, their second collection days begin this week.
Residences were switched to once-a-week service this summer during a temporary collection program.
The day of the week that a household has been receiving trash pickup will now be its primary collection day.
Primary collection days are also when the recycling and green waste will be taken away since they are only once-a-week services.
A household's secondary collection day will be for its refuse only.
Those with Monday service have Thursday as the secondary day, Tuesday customers have Friday, Wednesday customers have Saturday, Thursday customers have Monday, and Friday customers have Tuesday.
So residences on a Monday-Thursday schedule and those on Thursday-Monday have different primary collection days.
New rates: Customers will see the charges for the new system show up on their November bills.
The rates, which already were approved by the City Council, include the $15.52 per month charge for the basic service, including once-a-week collection with two 96-gallon carts for trash and recycling.
Different costs apply based on a customer's program selections.
Original Print Headline: New trash system starting
Brian Barber 918-581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
A mechanical claw tips a trash can into a truck as Brent Caldwell drives his route in a neighborhood near 81st Street and Elwood Avenue in Tulsa on Friday, September 14, 2012. MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World
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