Tulsa is Thinking Green as Earth Day Approaches
By KATHY TAYLOR
Tulsa Mayor
UP WITH TREES: Volunteers work throughout the area planting trees to help keep greater Tulsa as green as possible. As a part of ReGreen Tulsa, Up With Trees is providing trees to nonprofits, faith based groups and government organizations such as schools, and there is a program that provides trees for the elderly or disabled. For more information or to volunteer with the Up With Trees organization, contact www.upwithtrees.org
Courtesy Up With Trees
April 22 is Earth Day, so this is a good time to start thinking about ways to be more energy efficient, help out the environment and clean up our city. There are three simple things that everyone can do to create a better neighborhood, a better city and a better planet.
First, recycle materials like paper and plastics at your home. In the last 2 years, curbside recycling subscriptions have doubled in the City of Tulsa. That’s good news and proves that the green movement has definitely caught on in Tulsa!
In Tulsa, there are a lot of options for recycling. If you live within the city, the most convenient option is to call 596-9777 to request that a bin be delivered to your home. The charge for twice a month curbside collection is two dollars and will be added to your utility bill.
Another recycling option is to take your material to one of many area drop-off locations. There are 12 locations in the metro area and five are within the city limits. These locations are operated by the Metropolitan Environmental Trust and are open 24 hours a day. These locations accept a number of other materials not commonly recycled such as household batteries, motor oil, eyeglasses and cooking oil. You can also utilize paper recycling bins (and recycle this Newspaper) at 250 schools and churches in the metro area. A list of locations and additional information can be found at www.metrecycle.com. The Met Web site also lists all area recycling companies in the metro area.
The second “Green” thing you can do is pick up litter. City crews pick up litter almost every day of the year. They do a good job, but could always use a helping hand, especially in public areas like schools and parks. You can check the City of Tulsa Web site for opportunities to help. Each year dozens of groups organize to spend an hour or two to participate in our “60 Minute Makeovers.” You can check the City of Tulsa Web site at www.cityoftulsa.org or sign up for ENews on the site, to be notified of upcoming dates. If you organize a clean-up event yourself, the Met can provide you and your organization trash bags, gloves and safety vests. You can contact the Mayor’s Action Center at 596-2100 for more information.
The third “Green” thing you can do is plant a tree. The December 2007 ice storm caused the loss of approximately 20,000 trees within the city. There are also ongoing losses of trees due to age, utility line replacement and ongoing development. A properly planted tree will save energy for your home, can help cool the city and provide a habitat for birds.
Following the ice storm, we started a new initiative called “ReGreen Tulsa.” The goal is to work with individual citizens and community partners to replace the 20,000 trees that were lost. Each tree that you plant can be registered at www.regreentulsa.com to count towards that goal.
There are numerous ways to obtain trees, sometimes at no charge. Neighborhoods can participate in the “Neighborwoods” program through the Up With Trees organization. And, as a part of ReGreen Tulsa, Up With Trees is providing trees to nonprofits, faith based groups and government organizations such as schools. They also have a program that provides trees and planting assistance for the elderly or disabled.
If you are planting a tree yourself, always be safe, look for power lines and call 1 (800) call-okie. You can also honor a friend or loved one with a memorial arbor garden all across the city in parks or recreation areas. For more information or to volunteer with the Up With Trees organization, contact www.upwithtrees.org.
These are three simple things you can do to “Green” your neighborhood and your city. For more tips and updates on what we are doing in city government, visit www.BeGreenTulsa.com.
Updated 04-13-2009
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