The Broken Arrow Municipal Authority (BAMA) will consider adopting a curbside recycling program for Broken Arrow refuse customers at its Nov. 5 meeting.
On Sept. 17, BAMA (which is comprised of the five City Councilors and oversees the City’s Sanitation service) accepted the Curbside Recycling Pilot Project report and the Citizens Recycle Committee recommendation. Authority members also requested a work session be held so they could review the reports in greater detail. The Citizens Committee recommended:
- Converting the entire City to once a week collection
- Issue all customers a 96-gallon blue recycling cart with the option to opt-out
- Continue collection of garbage and yard waste in bags with a 50 percent reduction in bags to each customer
- Consider beginning to replenish truck fleet with automated trucks for collecting recyclables
- Within three years, implement trash carts and eliminate the bag program
At the Oct. 10 work session, the City Manager discussed with the Authority the Citizens Committee’s recommendation and implementing trash carts at the same time as the recycling carts.
“Staff is recommending adopting a two-cart system as soon as possible for many practical and operational reasons,” said Michael Spurgeon, City Manager. “The logistics required to change systems means a lot of manpower and hours will go into training, reconfiguring routes and updating trucks, let alone purchasing the carts required for the program. As a steward of the public’s money, I feel it’s in the best interest of the City to take on this process change at one time, as soon as practical, to avoid unnecessary costs in the future and the likelihood of costs rising for the needed materials in the future if we only started with a one-cart system. Using two-carts will also reduce our labor needs and the risk of injury to our sanitation workers.”
“Implementing curbside recycling will also help the City with economic development recruitment and attracting new residents. Both often look for fully-realized recycling services in a city before choosing to relocate, or expand in the case of certain businesses,” Spurgeon said.
The recommendation City staff will submit to the Authority on Nov. 5 includes moving to once per week pickup using a two-cart system – one each for trash and recyclables, with pickup on the same day.
The staff recommendation also includes the possibility for multiple cart sizes and walk-up service for disabled and elderly customers. Details on this service would be determined before the implementation process. In addition, the recommendation would end the City-provided trash bag program and reallocate the $680,000 budgeted for bags to purchase carts and other equipment needed for program implementation.
“Broken Arrow residents have always been proud of the service our Sanitation Division provides. Let me assure you, that quality service is not going anywhere. It is just adapting to a modern world that has different demands,” said Spurgeon.
BAMA will likely take action on City staff’s recommendation during the meeting. If curbside recycling is adopted, it will likely take up to a year or more for the City to implement the changes for all sanitation customers in the City. The lengthy implementation is required for logistical reasons, such as purchasing and distributing carts, determining new routes, training personnel and purchasing or retrofitting trucks for carts.
Other considerations for future actions include study and implementation of a green waste collection program and separating the Sanitation Division from the General Services Department to create a new department.
“On behalf of the Mayor, Council and all Broken Arrow citizens, I want to thank the Citizens Recycle Committee for all the hard work they have put in over the past few years. The experience and knowledge they gained and passed onto the City and the Authority members have been vital to this entire process,” Spurgeon said.
The BAMA meeting immediately follows the regular Nov. 5 City Council meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 220 S. 1st St.
About BA’s Refuse Service
Broken Arrow’s Sanitation Division provides refuse pickup services to more than 33,000 residential solid waste customers. Residents receive twice-weekly trash service, either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday.
Sanitation crews collect approximately 3,100 tons of refuse monthly. This varies throughout the year based on yard waste. The average Broken Arrow household generates about 203 pounds of solid waste per month. Refuse is taken to the Covanta Energy from Waste Facility. Covanta is approximately 15 miles from the center of Broken Arrow.
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