Trash Service in Tulsa

Overview: NeWSolutions has been awarded the contract and monthly rates for once a week curbside service will be $15.52. NeWSolutions was created by a third of the haulers from Tulsa Refuse Inc., the consortium that has conducted the city's trash service for the past 32 years.

The new trash service started Oct. 1.

Before Oct. 1, Tulsa's trash board approved a three-month emergency trash collection program because the city's current hauler is unable to continue beyond its June 30 contract expiration. The program ran from July through September involves once-a-week trash collection for all households, a cheaper monthly rate, different service days and a suspension of recycling pickup.

This page is where you will find all the coverage about this story.

FAQ
Can I have two trash carts?

Yes, but only if you want 96-gallon carts.

The two-cart rates would be $17 per month for curbside service, $20.95 for backyard service and $23.95 for extended-backyard service.

What's the difference between backyard and extended-backyard service?

Backyard is up to 100 feet from the curb and extended is beyond that.

Do I have to use the city-issued carts?

Yes.

What do I do with my old trash cans?

The city's trash board is developing a program to collect and recycle them sometime before the new system begins.

Can I select a smaller recycling cart?

No, only 96-gallon versions are available at this time.

Can I refuse the recycling cart?

Yes, recycling is voluntary. But refusing the recycling cart will not affect your rate.

Can I put green waste in my trash cart?

Whatever space is left in the cart beyond your household waste can be used for bagged green waste.

Also, green waste will be collected in bags by the curb for free from November through January.

Stickers for green waste bags set by the curb in other months will be available from local merchants for 50 cents each.

What if I have more trash than will fit into a cart?

Stickers will be available from merchants for 50 cents each to adhere to overflow trash bags so they are collected.

Where can I see these carts for myself?

A set of the three sizes is on display in the lobby of City Hall at downtown's Second Street and Cincinnati Avenue. Plans are in the works for a set to be on display in each of the nine council districts.

What do I do with bulky waste items?

Bulky waste items not exceeding the size of a Volkswagen Beetle will be collected by city crews for $5.

Is there a program to help the disabled?

Yes. To qualify, all residents of a household must be physically disabled and show proof from a doctor or an optometrist.

Those who qualify get backyard service at the curbside rate.

For more information, call 918-596-9777.

Headlines

Recycler plans to evolve 10/22/2012

Now that Tulsa has a new citywide household recycling program, the Metropolitan Environmental Trust is looking to evolve to stay relevant.

Tulsa projects recycling could reach 400 tons per week 10/5/2012

Tulsans are on track to recycle about 400 tons per week under the new citywide system compared with about 200 tons per month under the old subscription program, officials said Thursday.

Tulsa's new trash system starts Monday 9/30/2012

Tulsa's new trash and recycling system has been discussed and planned for years - and Monday it's finally launching.

Trash board OKs smaller recycling carts, but there's a legal snag 9/27/2012

Tulsa's trash board has voted to allow all households to opt for a smaller recycling cart, but whether those carts actually become available will depend on a legal opinion.

More Tulsans recycle with ease of new trash service 9/23/2012

Girls create a lot of trash, Doris Degner-Foster joked.

Tulsa officials may not be ready for overflow trash stickers 9/19/2012

The city may not be able to require residents to affix special 50-cent stickers to their overflow bags of trash and green waste with the Oct. 1 launch of the new trash service, officials said Tuesday.

Tulsa trash bin delivery catching up as deadline approaches 9/17/2012

Thousands of trash and recycling carts still must be delivered as the Oct. 1 launch of Tulsa's new system fast approaches.

Trash pickup moved to observe Labor Day 9/2/2012

With trash crews off on Labor Day, city customers should plan on having their trash picked up a day later this week.

Tulsa's trash pickup to move up one day on Labor Day week 8/30/2012

Tulsans will have their trash and recyclables picked up a day later than normal during Labor Day week next week.

New Tulsa trash hauler NeWSolutions collecting recyclables without a contract 8/25/2012

The city's new trash hauler has been collecting recyclables without a contract since it began offering the service to customers July 16, a spokesman for NeWSolutions said this week.

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Contact

Call 918-596-9777, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

The city's trash website: tulsaworld.com/knowyourtrash

Items you can recycle

Paper and boxboard
> Newspaper and advertising inserts
> Junk or advertising mail and envelopes
> Colored or white paper
> Cereal and dry food boxes (without the liner)
> Paperback and hardback books
> Cardboard egg cartons
> Magazines, catalogs and phone books
> Paper wrapping paper
> Shredded paper
> Flattened cardboard boxes
> Frozen food boxes

Metal
> Soda and other aluminum cans (rinsed)
> Canned food cans and their caps or lids (rinsed)

Glass
> Clear, brown and green beverage containers (including soda, beer, wine and liquor bottles, rinsed)
>Clear, brown and green juice and food containers (pickle, ketchup, jelly, etc.; rinsed)

Plastics Nos. 1-7
> Yogurt, dairy and margarine tubs and lids (rinsed)
> Milk, juice, soda and other beverage bottles and their caps (rinsed)
> Shampoo and conditioner bottles (rinsed)
> Window, bathroom and kitchen cleaning bottles (rinsed)
> Detergent and fabric-softener bottles (rinsed)
> Bubble wrap
> CD cases
> Shrink wrap
> Clear deli trays (rinsed)
> Empty prescription or over-the-counter medicine vials and caps
> Stadium cups (rinsed)
> Durable reusable containers and lids (Tupperware-type materials, rinsed)
> Clamshell containers (those with a black base and clear lid, rinsed)
> Rigid plastics (laundry baskets, lawn furniture, buckets and toys if they can fit inside your blue bin with the lid closed)
> Food jars and squeezable bottles (mayonnaise, salad dressing, vegetable oils, mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce and syrup; rinsed)

Items you can't recycle

> Food waste
> Food-soiled containers
> Tires
> Ceramic cups and plates
> Yard waste
> Garden/water hoses
> Styrofoam or packing peanuts
> Clothes, shoes and clothing accessories
> Wax or plastic-coated boxes, plastic or paper products
> Paper towel, facial tissue and toilet tissue
> Pizza boxes
> Mirror glass
> Disposable diapers
> Pool tarps or covers
> Automotive parts and containers that held automotive products
> Disposable dishware and utensils (items commonly used at picnics, parties or barbecues)
> Aerosol spray cans (helium tanks, spray paint, air fresheners and cleaning products)
> Latex paint cans and lids containing hardened or solidified paint
> Stain, varnish and paint-thinner containers
> Scissors and other sharp items
> Carpet and carpet pads
> Clay flowerpots
> Crystal
> Drinking glasses
> Heat-resistant ovenware
> Light bulbs
> Fluorescent lights
> Construction material
> Auto glass
> Alkaline batteries
> Plastic bags
> Aluminum foil
> Aluminum trays
> Clothes hangers (bundled)
> Pots or pans (without wood, plastic or rubber attachments)
> Pet waste
> Electronics and small appliances (toasters, microwaves, coffeemakers, etc.)

Key Stories

Understand more about this process and what you can expect with those changes.

Watch a video from the City of Tulsa about some of the possible upcoming changes to trash service.

Tulsa's trash board is taking bids on the city's trash service for the first time in more than 30 years. Upgrades the board would like for trash service citywide could cost the winning bidder $30 million.

Read more about the upgrades.

There have been questions as to why the trash board wants to change when the approval rating for the current provider is at 94 percent. Board Chairwoman Cheryl Cohenour says board members are looking toward the future to plan for a more cost-effective, flexible and progressive service based on industry best practices.

Read more about the plans for the new trash system.

In 2010, San Antonio moved to a trash system exactly like the one being eyed for Tulsa - each household given two rolling carts, with one for recycling and one for trash. City leaders there say it's been a success.

Trash Bids