Changes On The Way For Tulsa Trash Service

After years of discussions and hundreds of hours of meetings - the biggest TARE Board decisions came in the span of just a couple of hours.

The selection has not been finalized because the financing is a key component of the contract. TARE has set a Tuesday noon deadline for the Council decision. TARE will meet Tuesday afternoon to finalize their decision.

The board also decided Tulsa's basic trash service would have once per week pickup. Twice a week service is optional, at extra cost, and backyard pickup for a fee remains an option.

Most of the city now has twice a week service, but under the new contract, the default will be once a week, with recycling at no extra charge in a separate container. The rates are determined by the size of the trash can the customer needs.

The TARE Board also finalized how the city will dispose of trash - and process recycling.

The disposal contract was awarded to Covanta Energy Resources, which will burn it the trash. The recycling will be processed by American Waste Control.

TARE's biggest decision was announced - but not finalized - while it's determined how to finance the $11 million dollars worth of trash cans the city needs.

The new trash service starts July 1, 2012.

 04/18/2011 Related Story: Expansion Helps Tulsa Company Sort Recyclables