The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Hi guys..not sure if this is the proper area to post this...but here goes:

They delivered the new trash carts on my street today.  All the houses around me received theirs except my house.  I did everything I was supposed to do, yada yada yada --  Payments are on time.  

Anyway, has this happenned with anyone else?  

Us small fries that don't have much refuse don't get the 32 gal. delivered til a later date.

TTC filling in for RM.... :D

They split up my hood into two delivery days. Yes, that means one trash day my neighbor had a cart but I didn't (I was actually mildly annoyed about missing yet another week of recycling..didn't care much about the trash can), but they came back and finished up a couple of days later. The folks with the teensy cans had theirs delivered at the same time as everyone else.

918 596-9777 is the refuse line

918 596-2100 is the customer service line.

I recommend you wait till tomorrow to see if you get the cans.

If you have any further issues, send me a private message.

I emailed the refuse department at their contact email for question on August 5th. Around the first of september I forwarded the email to Mr Lee. I finally called today and sat on hold for almost 15 minutes to get one simple question answered.

I'm guessing they are a bit overwhelmed

If the cans do not come tomorrow call Chandy at 596-9776.

I called those numbers before I posted this question online.  I wasn't given an explanation as to why I didn't get them.  Both numbers checked my account to make sure I selected the trash carts on time (yes, I did).  They basically just said it was an error by the people on the truck.  *sigh*  Anyway, they put in a work order to let whoever is delivering the carts to deliver them to me.  The CSR from 918 596-9777 told me it could take a week to get it delivered and to call that number again in a week if nothing happens.  The CSR from 918 596-2100 told me she cannot guarantee when those carts will be delivered.  

So I guess it's a waiting game.  I'll be patient.  Thank you for the numbers. 

And RecycleMichael, I will PM you if nothing happens within a week or so.  THANKS again!

Keep in mid their deadline is the End of the month but I can tell you already they are way behind. They have been delivering in the purple this week when they are supposed to be already to the light green area
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20120711_11_0_Thedis990485

I'm in the light green area. 

We were the only ones on our street that didn't get ours when they delivered them about a month ago.  They just delivered ours yesterday.  I think it was because we wanted the "default" ones.

There's still pile after pile of carts in the lay down yard around the corner from my shop and MVT is still brining more daily.

Just a guess, but with two weeks to go, they're going to have to start working 3 shifts or it isn't happening.

Did you check with your neighbors to see if anyone else got too many carts? That happened on my street...one house in the middle got four carts and one on the end none.

They stopped the deliveries Tuesday in my neighborhood NEXT DOOR!

The thought did come to mind. I drove around the neighborhood and didn't see any extras after they were delivered. 

So it's a wait and see.  I sincerely hope I get one before October 1st.  Otherwise, it would really STINK if I don't have one and they don't pick up my trash. 

Our neighborhood still hasn't gotten them.

As long as the trash is picked up, I'll be patient.

I got mine on Sunday. According to the paper they increased from 3 crews to 5 and are working 7 days a week, 4,000 carts per day. At that speed, they can finish on time.

Got them.

Was I supposed to get any guidelines about what to recycle, what to do with old can, etc.?

I thought we were supposed to get something in the mail or at least a guide with the new bins.

Yep, there should have been a little pamphlet attached.  There should also be a sticker on the recycle lid with guidelines (which sort of don't match the pamphlet..imagine that).

Old trash cans...set them out with your next scheduled pickup and label the can(s) as trash.  I taped a big sign saying TRASH on mine and they picked it up.

Thanks.  Guess I'll call for a pamphlet.

So I called.  She was very nice and I should receive the papers by Monday.

She was surprised to find out the website is down.  I guess they're not keeping their folks up on current issues.

Is there any useful information in the booklet or whatever it is?

Tells you to make sure you orient the carts with the metal bar forward and as close to the curb as humaly possible and to make sure you space them out by at least three feet.

It also makes mention of what items to recycle, but the sticker on the top lid is what I've been using as a guideline.  Includes plastic caps on plastic bottles.  Also, if you crush aluminum soda cans like I used to, stop.  I don't think they'll reject them, but the say not to.

Now that they have expanded the items to recycle, I'm barely using one bag of refuse a week.

Thank you.

It's a little ironic though they would create waste with a pamphlet when they could rely on the sticker on the can.

Normally they could rely on a PDF online but...

Problem is that the sticker and the pamphlet don't match.  Thus me having to call the city and tell them what I thought of the pamphlets.

What's the biggest difference?

The disparity between items allowed for recycling was my biggest irk.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Still have not received trash cart.  *sigh* 

The lady on the phone said they will still pick up my trash even without the new cart.  I sincerely hope so. 

I got my stickers in the mail today.

Still no idea where I'm supposed to find clear trash bags.

I received my carts today.  My wife is ecstatic she has a bigger recycling container.  I will say I prefer the prior cart the city provided for those of us in the NW Quad over the new one.

Got mine as well.  I think you can get the bags from QT along with more stickers.  I thought that was what the TV people told me.

Of course the TV people told me the booklet was very important to read and I never received mine and can't access the website to read the PDF.

The stickers came with an updated list of recyclables and non-recyclables. 

Were there supposed to be green waste stickers in the mail-out as well?

One of my weekend projects is going to be arranging my garage in order to fit the recycle bin.

My cart was stolen. I called the city and they brought me a new one the next day.

What is the street value of these carts? Why would someone steal it?

Joy rides on the hill.

The booklet should have been attached to the cart. The booklet is also available on line. However on line is currently not on line since the servers are down.

It should've been but was not.  It is and it is.

The voice on the city help line said I'd have a copy by Monday.  I didn't.

I was out front when the recycle truck came by.  I learned via a loud conversation between a neighbor and the driver that they "Cant take anything in bags".

The mailing I received yesterday said to bag shredded paper.  That makes sense but I wonder if the driver will say "I can't take bags".

Just got them! Woohoo!! 

The guy actually rang the doorbell to talk to me to make sure he wasn't delivering to a house that already received theirs.

Glad to here the news

Here, here!  ;D

I always get here, hear, hare and hair mixed up. Come over and listen to me give this rabbit a trim.

At least with to vs. too, we can all claim a keyboard malfunction.  "Two" is too much of a stretch for keyboard malfunction though.

Sir, I do not believe that sort of commentary is safe for work.  :o

And the saga continues...  ::)

They delivered another set to me!  So now I have 2 sets of massive carts!  Just swell!  :o

Did they end up putting RFID chips in the carts?

If you have an idea where said RFID chip might be, I can go check. ;)

I've already inspected my cans looking so thoroughly they filed for harassment.

It would be embedded in the handle if the option were purchased.

We've got a problem with them not managing to get all the bagged trash out of our cart.  This has happened several times now.  I suspect they are not using the mechanical lift and simply tipping it as far as the guy can tip the can into the truck.

I did notice they cleared out a ton more carts from the lot over the last week and weekend on my way to work this morning.

I have called the sh!tty three times and been very flexible with the fact they still haven't delivered my socialist trash cart.

This thing is headed for trouble. Not today or next year....but someday.

It does serve the purpose of making the citizenry feel good about doing something environmental. If we could only get Ms. Cohenouer to take on the water department or the polluted air we breathe.

One of our common friends refers to the trash carts as Stepford carts.  She's right they really do dreck up the streetscape.  Curious who the big winner of all the grease was on this one.

The CNG trucks with the lift start today. During the interim period I think that the workers were doing their best without the lift.

Still wondering if my recycling was actually recycled during the interim period. 

Just saw one rolling down the road by my office

The CNG recycle trucks were in my neighborhood last week.

Not sure about the garbage truck.  It came much later.

Last week I was still having separate pickups:

For trash I saw this:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26442998/Photos/trash.jpg)

For recycling, I got this (I'm guessing this is the new truck):

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26442998/Photos/recycle.jpg)

Went home for lunch today. . .

Got a kick today watching the recycling guys sift through my bin.  It was mostly cans and bottles, but there were also some boxes.  Not wearing any gloves, they inspected each can, then took out a lightbulb, and then had to have a meeting behind the truck to discuss the lightbulb.  Then they discussed the boxes, and continued to shake each can before depositing in the back of the truck.  Finally they attached the bin to the back of the truck and allowed it to be dumped, and moved on to inspect the neighbors offering.

A similar drama played out with my trash guys.  Instead of using the automated dumper, they pulled out each bag, tore it open and sifted through it, obviously looking for fissionable material or perhaps treasure.  They then threw each bag in the truck.  This continued at each home all the way down the street.  I would estimate it took about 1-2 minutes per stop for each truck.

Not sure what the reasoning is behind this thorough inspection of my trash, but I found it at least entertaining.  I shred all my mail and documents, so I'm not really worried about the extra scrutiny my empty tunafish cans are getting.

 

Gas did you see my earlier post about the mailer you should have received with the 10 free refuse stickers and the disparity of what can be recycled and what can't?  Did you bag your shredded?  I don't, but of course tomorrow will be the new method.  They should have been training these guys to do this in this manner instead of just dropping the system in place right away.

In actuality, this probably worked out better (the transitionary plan) as opposed to having it one way then a new way right away.  Can you imagine the bitching going on beginning tonight if that were the case?

So which is correct about trash days, the mailer or the pamphlet that came with the cans?

I'm going to guess this one (http://www.cityoftulsa.org/media/230071/collectiondays10-1-2012.pdf), since in the link it is dated 10-1-2012.

The recycle truck visiting my neighborhood today was an old truck. However, I think a new truck picked up my trash since the can was back facing the same direction as before.

Tulsa's new trash service.  Fits right in:

(http://cdn.twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/Garbage-truck-hanging-from-a-building-in-Queens-634x475.jpg)

We've had a brand new trash truck with the arm on the side and an older recycling truck with a lifter on the back to tip it in so far.

Everything was bagged except recyclables.  They took everything, it was just fun to watch.  I guess it's easier digging through the bins for rejected material than it is climbing up into truck after you've dumped it. Because they are crushing the aluminum along with the plastic (causing inclusions in the scrap).  I wonder how they are cleaning it up before selling?
 
 

Plasma Furnace?

That's why they told me not to crush the cans.  I went out and bought a heavy duty can crusher I put up on my wall and was using it with the old recycling program.

I'm not sure how they'd clean it up, seeing how aluminum is not magnetic.  It would be interesting to know.

Ok. . .I just Emailed my buddy who is the regional buyer for Alcoa (RM, you have met him).  I asked him how they were doing this, and his answer is as follows:

Good question.  I'm not buying it yet, and to my knowledge neither is anyone else.  Most of the recycling plants these days can take it “single stream” and separate all the recyclables.  The plant here was duel stream (containers in one stream – cardboard/paper in the other stream).  I’m sure they modified it to run single but I need to call them to confirm.  (I had the same thought when I saw the truck p/up my recycle bin today…sure hope its going to the recycling plant and not the landfill – I’ll have a freakin fit!)
 
Let you know

And to answer your question Townsend, they use natural gas fired furnaces to smelt aluminum (I think plasma would be way to hot).  If the aluminum contains impurities it can cause "dramatic" problems, such as explosions.  My friend has been a buyer for about 25 years, he'll find out where it's going.  He represents the biggest buyer of scrap aluminum in the country, so I'm a little surprised that he's unaware of the availability of the scrap on the market.  That worries me a little bit?!?

Of course they may be stockpiling it until aluminum prices go up.

An attempt at humor.

Whoops, I guess. I crush all my aluminum cans by hand. It's very therapeutic.

I find that if I crush them, it doesn't fill up as fast...that worked ok with the two green bins we had before when they were picking up every other Thursday.  Not so much now.

A friend was having his trash stolen, presumably looking for goodies.  I gave my friend some dog "gifts" to put in his trash.  It wasn't stolen after that.

I had an interesting Saturday.  Not only did they deliver a second set of carts to me that day, but that same afternoon, they rang my doorbell to let me know they were delivering another set.  That would have been the third.  I'm glad I was home so I was able to give them back the 2nd set and begged them to stop delivering carts to me. 

What pamphlet and stickers are you guys talking about?  Were they supposed to leave me a package or mail me a package?

pamphlet was in a bag attached to one of the cans. Stickers came in a mailer.

If you were cool.  Not so much for the rest of us.

Somewhere an employee is going "Why do we have so many extra pamphlets?"

Maybe that employee works in the IT department?

I have been promised delivery of a container far too long. Now, they keep missing my garbage pickup as a result. Shouldn't we be able to take our garbage to an appropriate drop off point? I still enjoy taking my recyclables to another location just once a month instead of a blue container sitting outside looking like....a trash container.

Too bad the conservative Bartlett was fooled into this socialistic program. :o

Tulsa's quality of living will be decided by our water and air...and not by our waste.

I got my pamphlet a few days ago.

Everything appears to be going swimmingly now.

I dunno nothing about the trash carts/cans, I do know that if you did not pick your size cart/trash can by a certain date it would all default to the largest size can 95 gallons and they will bill you accordenly. All the best! ???

Request the size you'd like.  You still can.


Try out the blue can.  You can recycle now.

Shoot, I bet your neighbors love that you're so knowledgeable and keep them on the right track.

I know all about such things. If it stinks, call Michael.

Michael,

I understand Jenks is going to an all-in-one trash/recycle via the existing cart system with the recyclables then being separated pre-disposal with a keep bagging your garbage before putting in the cart and then put your recyclables in loose in the cart or something to that effect.  You have any scoop and if so are you going to keep the MET facility there?  Also it could use a good cleaning.

Kirby

I don't know. I am not a big fan of that approach, but Jenks seems to have made up their mind.

My future in Jenks is iffy. I am fine with that.

Was there alcohol involved? Are they supposed to sort on the street? If not, the trash trucks will just mix the two into one gooey wad. If not, I'm sure the trash guys are gonna love picking through leaky trash bags and questionable materials in the dark.

Jenks picks up during the day.

I have long been asking Jenks for curbside, so this is good news but I am not sure how using a single cart will work. I may pay the extra few bucks for a second cart just to keep things straight.

I'm with you on curbside for Jenks, been asking for years.  

I understand the carrier is going to take the entire waste stream to a trash sorter rather than direct to the fill or burner which is why they want the recyclables to be easier to get at.

My thought is to keep seperating and then dump my recycle bins into the cart weekly rather than drining them to the MET.

I am skeptical of the new proposal.

These type efforts have failed repeatedly, but Jenks seems bent on trying it.

The M.e.t. center in Jenks does great business, but it has always lost money and I have had to raise other money to keep it open the last 20 years. Jenks has given me no new direction, but if they want it closed and want to go another direction, I will gladly say yes and wish them luck.

The M.e.t.'s mission isn't to run recycling, but to help recycling.

How's the one in Bixby doing?   We have private trash haulers so the M.E.T. is my only real opportunity to recycle.

The Bixby center has really picked up lately. The town has a bunch of new transplants and most of them must be recyclers.

I know several of the builders and developers out there.  Bixby home sales are absolutely through the roof!  They were flat for the last few years, but all of a sudden they can't build homes fast enough.  You are exactly right, they are getting a ton of Midtown & South Tulsa, transplants.  Some friends of ours just relocated from a 1,800sf home off 27th and Harvard to a 3,200sf home in Bixby and reduced their mortgage by almost $100K.

Hope they don't work downtown. (or that they don't mind getting up early)

I just hope they don't all come up Memorial. :(