Tulsa Trash and Recycling Task Force

[OpenYourEyesTulsa]

I read in the Urban Tulsa that the mayor is starting a task force for trash and recycling ideas.  It says that Blake Ewing from Joe Mommas and a few city councilors among others are on the task force.  My hope is that they read this forum and will consider using Recycle Bank:  https://www.recyclebank.com.

See the video below to see how the program works:

[RecycleMichael]

Do you have a link to the Urban Tulsa story?

[OpenYourEyesTulsa]

The article is on page 17 of the current issue of Urban Tulsa:  http://urbantulsa.com/currentissue.pdf

[RecycleMichael]

I think that the City should fund an education campaign with television ads starring Blake...

[MDepr2007]

I just want leak proof trash trucks and trash personal that set the cans up right and not kick or throw them towards the general area they grabbed them from.

[custosnox]

I just want leak proof trash trucks and trash personal that set the cans up right and not kick or throw them towards the general area they grabbed them from.

not to mention pick up the trash they drop in the process so it doesn't end up in the neighbors yard

[Wrinkle]

I hope they start out asking about that "Reserve Fund".

As I recall things, that isn't a reserve fund at all. That was normal cash build up from the current trash rates once we paid off the incinerator. So, as long as current trash rates continue, that fund will continue to grow, at least what's not spent at the Mayor's discretion.

The $11 Million is the annual current overcharge, the amount which, over the last 20 years, went to pay off the incinerator. As you may recall, our rates were oft stated to be double what they should've been as a result. Refunding $1/mo of what was about $5-$6 worth of fee is not parity.

As for trash, Tulsan's like their twice per week pickup. Any effort to change that is just less service for the same rate (assuming they don't also increase rates).

If $2/mo were added to cover recycling, that means our current rates still are $2-$3/mo higher than they should be, including twice/wk + recycle.

So, what's to study? They seem set on finding a way to do something nobody wants (once/wk pickup), and raise rates to add recycling.

Along with the questions about the reserve fund, maybe we should ask what it is they're really trying to accomplish. Seems it's just more money for less service, and trying to find a way to make it palatable.

That, or the World is just trying it's best to make it a campaign issue, when it was lying dormant from last years' $350,000 study, paid for from the 'Reserve Fund' and TARE.

Shouldn't we also discuss the dismantling of TARE while we're on it. That Authority's mission is gone with the incinerator. Besides, is there anything about it which Public Works shouldn't be doing instead?

[Red Arrow]

As for trash, Tulsan's like their twice per week pickup. Any effort to change that is just less service for the same rate (assuming they don't also increase rates).

If the trash crews only work half as often, they will need a raise in their hourly rates to make up for the lost hours.

[OpenYourEyesTulsa]

I think manditory recycling is the only way to go.  Since I started recycling I only put out normal trash maybe twice a month.  Almost everything is recyclable.  The curb-side pickup does not take cardboard, phone books, or plastic bags so I take the cardboard and phone books to the MET recycling center and take the plastic bags to Reasors.

I also think that we should not have to pay to recycle and I would rather get paid from Recycle Bank.  With once a week pickup and less trash for landfills or incinerators the cost for trash service should go down.  Also since the incinerator is creating electricity I think that we should also get a discount for the cost of the power created.

We also need a recycling program for businesses like the building that I work in downtown.  They do not want to mess with recycling until the city creates a program for businesses.

[cannon_fodder]

I just want leak proof trash trucks and trash personal that set the cans up right and not kick or throw them towards the general area they grabbed them from.

I have no complaints about the level of service I get from my trash men.  They generally put the cans back where they were, sometimes they tip over, sometimes they blow away.  Large pieces of plastic with no weight in them do that.
- - -

In regards to laying off the extra trash works . . . why no phase out those jobs over 5 years?  I imagine in 5 years the trash department has enough turnover to eliminate those positions naturally, without forcing people out of jobs.  In the interim turn those positions into other jobs: either associated with the recycling program or other things lacking in the city.  Hell, they can still pick up trash but do so along the river, at parks, etc.  Use them for code enforcement.



Please, oh please let's get into the 1990's with those nice large hard-plastic auto-pickup garbage cans.

[Townsend]

I just want leak proof trash trucks and trash personal that set the cans up right and not kick or throw them towards the general area they grabbed them from.

I always assumed the cans were over on their sides to let the other trash men know it was already picked up.

[custosnox]

I always assumed the cans were over on their sides to let the other trash men know it was already picked up.

I can live with the cans being on their sides, as long as there put back within 10 feet of where they come from.  I just cuss everytime the trash runs because my yard is littered with the neighbors trash.  Right now it's nice because the house is embty, but as soon as someone moves in again, I'm sure it will be right back to the old schtick.

[MDepr2007]

This one is tame compared to many other experiances.

[TURobY]

This one is tame compared to many other experiances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_IsX9ddks

I guess it never bothered me enough to get "outraged" over it to take video. I mean, the cans are plastic or aluminum, and fairly cheap given the lifespan of a trash can.

Can you imagine if they took the time to gently set the can down in an upright manner? People would complain that they were wasting tax-payer money by not being quick and efficient.

[SXSW]

Please, oh please let's get into the 1990's with those nice large hard-plastic auto-pickup garbage cans.

My grandparents in Duncan, a town of 22,000, have had those since at least the early 90's.  I always wondered why Tulsa didn't have something similar.  When I visited a cousin in Austin recently I was blown away that they had 3 polycarts for trash, recycling, and yard waste picked up ONCE a week.  That is what we need in Tulsa..