New B.A. Trash Pickup Proposal Being Considered
By BOB LEWIS
Contributing Editor
Some big changes may be coming to Broken Arrow’s trash collection system.
On Sept. 17, a 12-member Citizens Recycle Committee chaired by Russell Peterson presented a three-part proposal to the Broken Arrow Municipal Authority (BAMA) that calls for:
• The introduction of city-provided recycling carts,
• Phasing out city-provided trash bags over a three-year period, and
• Initiation of once weekly pickup service.
BAMA, which is comprised of the five city councilors and oversees the city’s sanitation service, took the committee’s proposal under consideration. A final decision is expected later this fall.
Peterson said the committee met over the past two years to study all aspects of recycling. The plan it presented was based on public input, evaluation of data gleaned from two curbside recycling pilot projects and input from a consulting firm.
“On behalf of the committee, I can proudly say this entire process has been a very thoughtful and strategic effort, involving the whole community from the beginning. We believe our recommendation to implement city-provided recycling carts and phase out trash bags in three years is one that Broken Arrow citizens can live with.”
If BAMA adopts a cart-based curbside recycling program, it will likely take a year or more to fully implement because of the time required to purchase and distribute carts, determine new pickup routes, train personnel and purchase or retrofit trucks to accept carts.
The Sanitation Division currently provides refuse pickup services twice weekly to more than 33,000 residential customers. City statistics show sanitation crews collect 3,100 tons or more of refuse monthly depending on the amount of yard clippings left at curbside. The average Broken Arrow household generates about 203 pounds of solid waste per month.
