Oklahoma City neighborhoods are turning green with the delivery of new, large recycling carts. But remember: Don’t use the new carts until July.
“We’re thrilled with the enthusiasm these new carts are receiving,” says Jim Linn, the City’s solid waste superintendent. “From emails to phone calls and all over social media, the program is already proving a great success. But people should keep using their ‘Little Blue’ bins until June 1, then use their new carts in July.”
Since delivery of the new, larger recycling carts began Feb. 26, crews have dropped off more than 75,000 carts at a clip of about 2,500-3,000 per day. They’re on schedule to deliver all of the 190,000-plus carts by May 31.
The new recycling program roll-out schedule is:
- Now through May 31: Large, green recycling cart delivery to eligible customers
- June 1: End of “Little Blue” bin recycling collection. No recycling collection for one month.
- Early July: Large, green recycling cart collection begins every other week.
The City will suspend all recycling in June so crews can transition from the side-loading trucks used for “Little Blue” to trucks with automated side arms for the new green carts. During June, customers are encouraged to store clean recycling in their large green carts, or take their recycling to a local drop-off center.
“We expect to see lots of very full carts during our first few weeks of pick-up,” said Linn.
The City will send out postcards to customers reminding them to stop using their “Little Blue” bins, and letting them know when their new, every-other-week recycling schedule will start. A public education campaign is planned to teach people what and how to recycle in the green carts.
For more information about the City’s trash and recycling program, call Utilities Customer Service at (405) 297-2833. Visit okc.gov/recycle for general recycling program information, or visit okc.gov/mytrashday to find your trash, recycling and bulky waste pick-up schedule.
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Media Contact
Jennifer McClintock
(405) 297-3363 / (405) 464-9288
jennifer.mcclintock@okc.gov
