Tulsa's Litter Problem

[TulsaSooner]

I've whined about this before so I apologize in advance.

I live around 41st and 145th E Ave.  I've long complained about the amount of litter on my commute to work downtown; along 145th to Admiral and along 244 in to downtown.  It's terrible.  Today, I played golf at Mohawk.  Hwy 11 from 244 to the golf course exit is also horrific.  There is a mattress/sofa dumped inside a guard rail near the airport exit off Hwy 11.  Also, the yellow sand-filled barrels that protect the overpass support have been run over and are broken/splintered/scattered all over the place.  

The landscaping (broken trees mostly) along this airport route also looks terrible.  

I would think an important "first impression" area would be a top priority for upkeep but that just isn't happening.  Tulsa's days of being a "beautiful city" appear to be in the past unfortunately...we have a huge litter problem in this town.  

I don't know what the answer is because I know city budgets can't afford to take this on and volunteers simply can't keep up.  I've been to Phoenix a couple of times and was amazed as we drove away from the airport at how well kept their highways were in that area and the medians.  Granted, they have no grass to take care of but the areas were immaculate and you would have to do some serious searching to find a single piece of trash.  I wish Tulsa could spiff itself up like that as well.  []

[Steve]

The litter in Tulsa is pathetic.  I recently had out-of-town guests (former Tulsa residents that now live in South Carolina) and drove them to the airport from downtown east on I-244.  The highway shoulders from downtown to the airport were full of litter and trash, and my guests commented on this.  It was very embarrasing and presents a very sad, neglectful image of our city.  I have made calls to ODOT and the City regarding this issue.

As for my own efforts, I walk the streets of my subdivision about twice a month, picking up trash, cigarette butts, garbage, etc. in my own efforts to keep Tulsa beautiful.

[TulsaFan-inTexas]

Good for you. I don't live in Tulsa but I find it strange that a city the size of Tulsa has a litter problem. I live in DFW and to be honest, I hardly ever see any trash on the freeways around here.

The next time I'm in Tulsa I will try and do an honest comparison on the routes that you are talking about. If it is as bad as you say, I will take pictures and send them to the Mayor's office, ALONG with pictures of a huge metropolitan area (DFW) for comparison.

quote:Originally posted by Steve

The litter in Tulsa is pathetic.  I recently had out-of-town guests (former Tulsa residents that now live in South Carolina) and drove them to the airport from downtown east on I-244.  The highway shoulders from downtown to the airport were full of litter and trash, and my guests commented on this.  It was very embarrasing and presents a very sad, neglectful image of our city.  I have made calls to ODOT and the City regarding this issue.

As for my own efforts, I walk the streets of my subdivision about twice a month, picking up trash, cigarette butts, garbage, etc. in my own efforts to keep Tulsa beautiful.

[tulsa1603]

I keep remembering last summer when the PGA came...I drove to pick up a friend at the airport - I-244 was SPOTLESS.  EVERYWHERE was spotless.  Such a change in only a few months.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by tulsa1603

I keep remembering last summer when the PGA came...I drove to pick up a friend at the airport - I-244 was SPOTLESS.  EVERYWHERE was spotless.  Such a change in only a few months.

It may have been spotless then, but when I drove my brother to the airport, from the downtown IDL east on I244 to the airport about a month ago, the whole road and the shoulders were full of trash, gravel, and debris.  The trash was most concentrated around the Yale to the north turnoff to the airport, east of Memorial area.  It was embarrasing.

[Wilbur]

The reason is, ... Tulsa hasn't had a big important convention in town in a while.  Until then .....

[safetyguy]

quote:Originally posted by tulsa1603

I keep remembering last summer when the PGA came...I drove to pick up a friend at the airport - I-244 was SPOTLESS.  EVERYWHERE was spotless.  Such a change in only a few months.

The mayor made a big deal about litter pick up before the PGA and had teams of volunteers picking up trash throughout the city. It's too bad it takes a major event like this to keep the city clean. Not all of the storm debris is picked up, so why would we think that the litter would be picked up.

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by safetyguy

quote:Originally posted by tulsa1603

I keep remembering last summer when the PGA came...I drove to pick up a friend at the airport - I-244 was SPOTLESS.  EVERYWHERE was spotless.  Such a change in only a few months.

The mayor made a big deal about litter pick up before the PGA and had teams of volunteers picking up trash throughout the city. It's too bad it takes a major event like this to keep the city clean.

. . .And to get medians mowed, and streets patched, and vacant storefronts cleaned up, and signs fixed, and trees and landscapes cleaned up, and . . .

[NellieBly]

April is Operation Clean Sweep. Go to Whiteside, McClure, Hicks or Reed park, get free trash bags and pick up trash anywhere you want. A litter free city requires people to clean up their own property and businesses. It's called pride.

http://www.cityoftulsa.org/Environment/Recycling/Cleansweep.asp

See someone litter? Report them.
http://www.keepoklahomabeautiful.com/nolitter.php

[TulsaSooner]

I think it's clear the city doesn't have extra funding for this so maybe it's time for outside the box ideas.

I've always thought inmates were the way to go but there must be a good reason for not using them more or everyone would be doing it.

[RecycleMichael]

I have picked up litter with the Mayor three times since the PGA was here. Last weekend it was with 30 Hale High  School students. She is committed to doing cleanups at least every three months.

If any group wants to pick up litter, I will provide free gloves and free trash bags.

[Cubs]

Every city has a litter problem in some areas .... even DFW. I went to a Cubs-Rangers game in Arlington and there was plenty -o- litter in that park of the metro. Also a lot of potholes ... I think I hit more potholes on that day than I do in a month in Tulsa.

Everyone just needs to pick one day a month (or more if you feel the need) and go pick up litter in the places you know need to be cleaned, not just your neighborhood.
Also, don't waste your time picking up every little cigarette butt when there are thirty plastic bottles nearby, which are much more obvious to the eye from a distance.  

[TulsaSooner]

I'm going to need some help removing that mattress and box springs from the 2 foot wide shoulder on 244 while the wheels of death go whizzing by.

Who's in?  []

[godboko71]

Willing to donate a few days a month to help pick up trash. Drop me a line of when and where and I will be there.

[custosnox]

I try to get out with the kids when the weather permits and do some clean up.  I'll be in the soccer park/flood control on the North side of 31st between garnett and 129th this Saturday afternoon if anyone wants to join me.  

quote:Originally posted by TulsaSooner

I'm going to need some help removing that mattress and box springs from the 2 foot wide shoulder on 244 while the wheels of death go whizzing by.

Who's in?  []

You provide the truck, I'll provide the death defying feats to get it in there.