Well, I hope the new contractor is a step in the right direction. However, I don't know that adding 2 pick-ups a year is anything to get excited about. I can't even look at a calender and figure out if its my recycling day unless I fill the whole year out skipping weeks from my first pick-up. Anyway, tomorrow is my normal pick-up day and after memorial day weekend I've got quite a collection. I checked the new map and it says 'Recycle 2 Day 2.' So what the fark does that mean?
http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=12581834
Just means you get picked up every other week, which is less confusing than the old way. If they didn't pick up last week, they pick up this week.
Quote from: jne on June 02, 2010, 11:42:15 AM
I checked the new map and it says 'Recycle 2 Day 2.' So what the fark does that mean?
It lists two recycling groups and five days so it sounds like you are getting picked up next tuesday.
Ah, your probably right, for some reason I thought I had seen a group 3. Well, I guess I'll have to take these somewhere, its already out of hand...
I don't keep my bins at the curb and I'm sound asleep when they r picked up, so its just as mysterious as the old way for me. Every week would sure be nice - I'd recycle more items. I don't mess with paper because I already have two bins and some overflow with glass and plastic and the paper is a mess in the rain. And if I'm just totally out of room, things get diverted to the trash. I may just go out and buy a large trashcan and draw a recycle symbol on it.
You'd have to see the piles of Harp and Marshal bottles to appreciate it:)
Quote from: jne on June 02, 2010, 01:39:19 PM
I don't keep my bins at the curb and I'm sound asleep when they r picked up, so its just as mysterious as the old way for me.
The old contractors used to pick mine up early in the morning. Judging by this week's pickup, looks like my neighborhood gets picked up in the evening now.
Quote from: sgrizzle on June 02, 2010, 01:31:32 PM
It lists two recycling groups and five days so it sounds like you are getting picked up next tuesday.
I'm on Group 1 Day 4 (Thursday) so I'm guessing tomorrow is my day. I believe it was to begin with. But there were those odd months where we didn't get pickup service for three weeks. I'm glad they went to every other week.
Quote from: TURobY on June 02, 2010, 02:12:17 PM
The old contractors used to pick mine up early in the morning. Judging by this week's pickup, looks like my neighborhood gets picked up in the evening now.
City tells you to have it at the curb by 6 am. The earliest I've ever seen them pick it up since I've been enrolled is 10 am, and sometimes as late as 7pm. Just like the damned trash service. I moved back in over here around 2005, it was very rarely that my trash wasn't picked up before I left for work in the morning (about 7:30 am); now, since about 2008, it's even more rare if they've picked it up by the time I get home around 5pm.
How do you go about getting a recycling bin from the city? Do you order one or do you just get one delivered when you start paying a bill? I'm still getting used to Tulsa not having polycarts with once weekly service for trash and recycling....maybe in 2012 when the new trash service contracts are in place??
Quote from: SXSW on June 02, 2010, 02:52:36 PM
How do you go about getting a recycling bin from the city? Do you order one or do you just get one delivered when you start paying a bill?
You can call the City at
596-9777 to set up curbside recycling service. When you're offered a lid, take it--otherwise, rain gets to the paper like a lot of people have already mentioned. You can get more info on curbside here: http://www.cityoftulsa.org/environmental-programs/recycling/curbside-recycling-service.aspx (http://www.cityoftulsa.org/environmental-programs/recycling/curbside-recycling-service.aspx)
QuoteI'm still getting used to Tulsa not having polycarts with once weekly service for trash and recycling....maybe in 2012 when the new trash service contracts are in place??
That's one of the options being looked at by the Recycling and Refuse Task Force, TARE and the City Council. Right now, all cards are on the table--we want a system that
works, is equitable for all citizens, and increases recycling participation.
Quote from: SXSW on June 02, 2010, 02:52:36 PM
How do you go about getting a recycling bin from the city? Do you order one or do you just get one delivered when you start paying a bill? I'm still getting used to Tulsa not having polycarts with once weekly service for trash and recycling....maybe in 2012 when the new trash service contracts are in place??
When I set up the service with the city, the recycling contractor dropped a bin off at my house on the first day that they visited my house. Keep in mind that was the old contractor, I have no idea what the new contractor will do.
I wish the new contractor would take cardboard and plastic bags.
They also need to teach the people in my neighborhood the rules. They don't take the lids off or empty/wash out bottles and I see Quiktrip cups in their bins all the time (they don't take #5 and #6 plastics unless the rules changed). At least they are trying to recycle.
Quote from: OpenYourEyesTulsa on June 02, 2010, 03:52:10 PM
I wish the new contractor would take cardboard and plastic bags.
They also need to teach the people in my neighborhood the rules. They don't take the lids off or empty/wash out bottles and I see Quiktrip cups in their bins all the time (they don't take #5 and #6 plastics unless the rules changed). At least they are trying to recycle.
They told us that off the bat. Use only #1 and #2 plastics; we've put things like walmart plastic bags in the bins and they've never said anything or left them in the bins. We also do take the caps off.
And you'd be surprised what can be recycled. Look at your over the counter pill bottles (the white ones). Almost all of those are #1 or #2 plastics.
Quote from: Hoss on June 02, 2010, 03:55:29 PM
They told us that off the bat. Use only #1 and #2 plastics; we've put things like walmart plastic bags in the bins and they've never said anything or left them in the bins. We also do take the caps off.
And you'd be surprised what can be recycled. Look at your over the counter pill bottles (the white ones). Almost all of those are #1 or #2 plastics.
We get a lot of calls from people saying, "Why can't you take _____? It says it's recyclable." The answer is because not everything can be recycled
here. We just don't have the processors for a lot of things that technically
could be recycled
somewhere. That's why most recycle symbols are also followed by "Check if facilities exist". Here, they don't (yet).
Like the Wal-Mart plastic bags. They are technically recyclable, but only if you take them to Wal-Mart. Currently, neither the curbside program nor the MET can take plastic bags. Wal-Mart does their own thing with them. If you put them at the curb, they're not going to be recycled.
Same with medicine bottles. We can't recycle those in the Tulsa area because there is special equipment needed. They're too small for the processors that are currently in town. They'd literally fall through the cracks if you tried to recycle them.
Basic plastic guideline (for Tulsa)YES #1 and #2 plastics
with a neck or a handle. Anything like a detergent bottle, water bottle, or plastic coffee tub is recyclable.
NO #1 strawberry containers, no medicine bottles, yogurt containers (they're #5).
We got a bin several years ago and quit setting it out in short order. The pickup dates were nebulous and the contractor would leave a terse (i.e. rude) note and refuse to take anything if our bin was out of order in any way at all.
I'm glad to see that the pickup is regularized (that small change makes a big difference).
Quote from: havewemet on June 02, 2010, 04:18:14 PM
We get a lot of calls from people saying, "Why can't you take _____? It says it's recyclable." The answer is because not everything can be recycled here. We just don't have the processors for a lot of things that technically could be recycled somewhere. That's why most recycle symbols are also followed by "Check if facilities exist". Here, they don't (yet).
Like the Wal-Mart plastic bags. They are technically recyclable, but only if you take them to Wal-Mart. Currently, neither the curbside program nor the MET can take plastic bags. Wal-Mart does their own thing with them. If you put them at the curb, they're not going to be recycled.
Same with medicine bottles. We can't recycle those in the Tulsa area because there is special equipment needed. They're too small for the processors that are currently in town. They'd literally fall through the cracks if you tried to recycle them.
Basic plastic guideline (for Tulsa)
YES #1 and #2 plastics with a neck or a handle. Anything like a detergent bottle, water bottle, or plastic coffee tub is recyclable.
NO #1 strawberry containers, no medicine bottles, yogurt containers (they're #5).
Then you need to instruct the city when a customer calls to dispense that specific information. Just telling us that anything with a 1 or 2 on it obviously is incorrect.
But they've never left anything in my bin that would have been considered out of bounds (walmart bags, medicine bottles, etc). And the medicine bottles I see (the OTC ones) almost all have a 2 or 1 on them.
No wonder very few people recycle
EDIT: Even the City's website doesn't state any of the exceptions. It just states 'plastics (labeled 1 and 2)'. They might be wise to modify it. Most grocery bags are labeled 2.
http://www.cityoftulsa.org/environmental-programs/recycling.aspx
I think Norman has a good system that Tulsa could emulate. Have the city provide the polycart and recycling bin for a one-time charge on your trash bill. Trash and recycling pick up would be once a week, and all items must either be in the polycart (trash) or recycling bin (paper, plastic, glass, etc.). If you have more trash than can fit, too bad you have to dump it yourself or wait until next week. Finally, charge each household based on volume. Not sure how they can check this but if you recycle more you should be rewarded by paying less than someone who doesn't recycle and generates more trash.
Also in Norman everyone pays to recycle whether you do it or not. In Tulsa it's voluntary which is crap.
Quote from: Hoss on June 02, 2010, 04:58:55 PM
Then you need to instruct the city when a customer calls to dispense that specific information. Just telling us that anything with a 1 or 2 on it obviously is incorrect.
But they've never left anything in my bin that would have been considered out of bounds (walmart bags, medicine bottles, etc). And the medicine bottles I see (the OTC ones) almost all have a 2 or 1 on them.
No wonder very few people recycle
The recycling pickup guys in my neighborhood looked like meth heads. I think they only knew how to dump the bin in the back of the truck and didn't know the recycling rules. I assume all the things that broke the rules just get thrown in the trash and defeat the purpose.
The city needs to change this and force all to recycle and implement recycling for more items. My #1 goal for Tulsa should be to pay for trash service by the weight and get paid to recycle with a company like RecycleBank.com
I contacted the city and will be getting my recycling bin soon. They then tell me I must separate my recyclables in the bin? In Norman you just throw everything in and they sort it for you.
Quote from: OpenYourEyesTulsa on June 02, 2010, 05:55:45 PM
The city needs to change this and force all to recycle and implement recycling for more items. My #1 goal for Tulsa should be to pay for trash service by the weight and get paid to recycle with a company like RecycleBank.com
YES!!
Quote from: SXSW on June 03, 2010, 01:53:49 PM
I contacted the city and will be getting my recycling bin soon. They then tell me I must separate my recyclables in the bin? In Norman you just throw everything in and they sort it for you.
Should have gotten two. I put plastics in one, paper in the other (essentially all they want you to do is separate paper from plastic).
Quote from: Hoss on June 03, 2010, 01:55:12 PM
Should have gotten two. I put plastics in one, paper in the other (essentially all they want you to do is separate paper from plastic).
How strict are they? Most of what we recycle is plastic like milk, orange juice, etc. and paper/newspaper. Could stick all paper, for instance, in a paper bag to keep it separate from plastic/glass?
Quote from: SXSW on June 03, 2010, 01:59:08 PM
How strict are they? Most of what we recycle is plastic like milk, orange juice, etc. and paper/newspaper. Could stick all paper, for instance, in a paper bag to keep it separate from plastic/glass?
With paper/plastic? Very strict from my understanding.
And yes, you could stick the paper in a bag; once I had a bunch of recycles (during one of the 3 week periods). I used both bins for plastics and a box I had around for the newspaper. They left the box. Just be careful putting the box out during a gully-washer (like last night). Make sure you waterproof it. And definitely spring for the lids.
Quote from: SXSW on June 03, 2010, 01:53:49 PM
I contacted the city and will be getting my recycling bin soon. They then tell me I must separate my recyclables in the bin? In Norman you just throw everything in and they sort it for you.
Meh, not a big deal. I put my recyclables on a countertop near my front door and take them out once a day or so to the green bin. I wound up with two for some reason from the previous owner. I put plastic, glass, and aluminum together and put paper in a paper bag on top. I only use the 2nd bin after parties or if I miss a couple of collections.
After receiving my letter notifying of my new schedule, I had to calendar the dates for the rest of the year (it was much easier for me to simply remember the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month). Yesterday I dutifully took my container to the curb. Last night when I got home from work it was still full. I left it out because sometimes in the past it hasn't been picked up until the evening. Well, I left it out overnight and it got soaked in the rain. This morning I had to drag the soggy mess back to garage. At lunch, I go home and see that all the containers of the lazy people who left theirs by street are now empty.
So far I'm underwhelmed with the new contractor and the new pickup schedule.
There's a lot of full bins sitting at the curb in my hood at 5:15 and this was our new day...hmmm wonder if the contractor got word of that
Quote from: Conan71 on June 03, 2010, 05:30:11 PM
There's a lot of full bins sitting at the curb in my hood at 5:15 and this was our new day...hmmm wonder if the contractor got word of that
My contractor just left at 6:15...big white lookin' trash truck but clean. Guys wearing orange safety vests and looked respectable. See if I can track down a photo of the truck from my webcam archive...
EDIT:
Here you go...sorry for the glare.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4667775950_c999f19217_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/oilerfan/4667775950/)
On the topic of recycling....
Where can paper grocery bags be recycled..
And why doesn't a certain grocery store that uses paper bags have a recycle bin for em?
Paper bags are difficult to recycle...my advice is to find a way to reuse them or compost them. I have cloth bags I take to the store, but sometimes I get plastic bags for groceries. I bought a small trash can that the plastic grocery bags are the perfect size to use as a liner.
I am very impressed with the new contractor. Be patient with them and I am sure they will do a great job.
They have already invested more money into recycling collection and processing than the old contractor did in eleven years. They have great experience in picking up recycleables in both bins and carts in other cities and are willing to pony up some help in recycling education.
City of Tulsa gets up to 350 complaints on curbside recycling service
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100611_11_0_Tulsas962951 (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100611_11_0_Tulsas962951)
QuoteTulsa's switch in curbside recycling collection contractors at the start of June resulted in some customers being missed during the first cycle of service on 10 collection routes.
Up to 350 complaints were received by the Mayor's Action Center and Utility Customer Service Call Centers.
RR Waste Solutions, the new contractor, has brought in extra trucks and workers to catch up and assist while the employees familiarize themselves with the routes. Public Works managers will continue to work with the new contractor to ensure customer service.
The firm's contract with the city calls for collections to be made every two weeks instead of twice monthly. That will result in two additional pickups per year for each of Tulsa's 14,000 curbside recycling customers.
Curbside recycling is a voluntary service. Tulsa trash customers may subscribe for $2 per month and are provided with green bins for their recyclable materials.
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100611_11_0_Tulsas962951
they never came by to pick up my recycling on my scheduled day.
i knew i should have called the mayor's action line and been #351...
You'd think that someone would make sure these people are up to the task before awarding a contract....
I'm curious how many of the callers assumed they were still on the old schedule? On my block they changed it to Thursdays with the first one being last week. I noted a couple of green bins by the curb this Wednesday (used to be 2nd & 4th Weds. of the month) on my street. Obviously, they didn't get the memo.
I'm not sure if the truck made it around to everyone last Thursday or not, I'm assuming they did.
Quote from: Townsend on June 11, 2010, 04:05:13 PM
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100611_11_0_Tulsas962951
A quick tip for getting rid of the TW's clipboard spam: Make sure your ad blocking software blocks the following javascript file: http://www.tulsaworld.com/includes/js/articleText.js
I don't mind most ads, or even providing attribution, but I do mind websites breaking my clipboard.
Quote from: Conan71 on June 11, 2010, 04:30:58 PM
I'm curious how many of the callers assumed they were still on the old schedule? On my block they changed it to Thursdays with the first one being last week. I noted a couple of green bins by the curb this Wednesday (used to be 2nd & 4th Weds. of the month) on my street. Obviously, they didn't get the memo.
I'm not sure if the truck made it around to everyone last Thursday or not, I'm assuming they did.
Mine did, albeit about 6:15pm, but they did make it. I believe I'm on the same schedule as you, C...
Quote from: Hoss on June 11, 2010, 06:26:08 PM
Mine did, albeit about 6:15pm, but they did make it. I believe I'm on the same schedule as you, C...
I also think people are used to having it picked up in the morning. I know I was confused when I got home from work and my recyclables were still out. They picked mine up sometime after 6pm as well.
Quote from: nathanm on June 11, 2010, 06:01:18 PM
A quick tip for getting rid of the TW's clipboard spam: Make sure your ad blocking software blocks the following javascript file: http://www.tulsaworld.com/includes/js/articleText.js
I don't mind most ads, or even providing attribution, but I do mind websites breaking my clipboard.
My bad. I try to delete that but I missed that one.
I can just urge patience. The contractor has the right people and the right equipment and will get it right.
It is a difficult contract. There are 14,000 subscribers out of 116,000 homes. Some neighborhoods it is 4 or 5 per block and other parts of town are one curbside recycler every four or five blocks.
I have seen these guys in action and know their routing software and I have faith they will get it right.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 12, 2010, 11:21:34 AM
I can just urge patience. The contractor has the right people and the right equipment and will get it right.
It is a difficult contract. There are 14,000 subscribers out of 116,000 homes. Some neighborhoods it is 4 or 5 per block and other parts of town are one curbside recycler every four or five blocks.
I have seen these guys in action and know their routing software and I have faith they will get it right.
So when will it be mandatory for all 116,000? That is how it should be, or they should at least be paying for it. In Norman everyone pays the extra $3/month for recycling even if you don't recycle. This is also a perfect way to make the city more money.
Nothing has been decided. There have been a series of public meetings with councilors and residents asking for what they want. Many people have expressed a want to have better recycling options.
If you really want recycling included in the same bill and offered to all residents, speak up. Call your councilor, write a letter to the editor, etc.
The city will be making these decisions this fall.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 13, 2010, 09:44:06 AM
Nothing has been decided. There have been a series of public meetings with councilors and residents asking for what they want. Many people have expressed a want to have better recycling options.
If you really want recycling included in the same bill and offered to all residents, speak up. Call your councilor, write a letter to the editor, etc.
The city will be making these decisions this fall.
I would rather see the city stop the use of contractors. It used to be that I had to put my trash bins out the night before my scheduled pick-up day because they came around 5am. Now I NEVER know when they're coming. They've come as a late as 9pm before! But I know they never come before 9am.
And also, I would like to have a someone who can provide the things I'm paying for (wheels for the recycle bins) without telling me month after month they're out of them. I've been very patient about this. Oh, and the option for larger bins would be a plus.
But IMO, the city's trash pickup needs some overhauling.
Hmm...
Tulsa councilors hear about recycling complaints (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100622_11_0_Unless629229&allcom=1#comments)
I haven't had any problems on my route sofar, other than the very first day of the contract they didn't pick up until nearly 6:15pm. Although it's only been twice sofar.
As of 8 or 9pm last Thursday, they had still not been down my block. When I woke up Friday morning, the bin was empty. At least they got it done. It may take awhile to get it all down.
I have had no problems on both of my service days so far either. They have come after five pm both times.
360 complaints is a lot, but there are now 14,000 customers spread out over 200 square miles. I hope they show some patience with this contractor.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on June 22, 2010, 01:49:16 PM
I have had no problems on both of my service days so far either. They have come after five pm both times.
360 complaints is a lot, but there are now 14,000 customers spread out over 200 square miles. I hope they show some patience with this contractor.
But the instance of leaving someone's newspapers at the curb saying for them to dry them out isn't necessary.
The City is partially to blame here. I've heard stories of people calling to sign up to be told that they were out of lids, or out of wheels (which I ordered and have YET to receive for my two bins, after over a year).
Quote from: Hoss on June 22, 2010, 02:08:49 PM
But the instance of leaving someone's newspapers at the curb saying for them to dry them out isn't necessary.
The City is partially to blame here. I've heard stories of people calling to sign up to be told that they were out of lids, or out of wheels (which I ordered and have YET to receive for my two bins, after over a year).
Just another moocher sponging off the government. Go to OTASCO and get yer own wheels.
Second scheduled pickup went as the first - no pick up on the scheduled day. At least this time I followed the lead of my lazy neighbors and simply left my bin out over night. It was picked up the following day. Now I'm left with a conundrum - do I put out my recycling on the scheduled day or wait until the next day, which is when they are actually picking it up?
I had problems, too. The guy never bothered to pick it up on the scheduled day, even though he picked up my neighbors' recyclables down the street.
This stuff is in a bright green tub at the edge of the street with nothing surrounding or concealing it. It's not as if he could use the "I didn't see it" excuse.
Quote from: Conan71 on June 22, 2010, 03:16:10 PM
Just another moocher sponging off the government. Go to OTASCO and get yer own wheels.
Not when I've already paid for 'em...oh, wait a minute.