Learn More About the Proposed Changes to Your Trash System
Your trash service is in the midst of a change. The Tulsa
Authority for the Recovery of Energy (TARE) oversees long-term
solid waste contracts for the City of Tulsa. The long-term contract
with our current private hauler that collects trash from 80 percent
of our households expires on June 30. By law, TARE has to
competitively bid the contract. There is no other option by
law.
This time of change is an opportunity to find the best possible
waste solutions for today and the future of Tulsa. The system now
is confusing, with two different collection schedules and crews.
The City of Tulsa crews collect trash from 20 percent of the
households once a week. These customers are provided with a rolling
cart. In 80 percent of the city, customers use their own trash
containers and receive collection services from a TARE contractor
twice a week. Currently the City subsidizes your trash rate.
It's time to create a more uniform collection system with
equitable rates and service. TARE has requested bids from haulers
and 16 pre-qualified bidders recently attended a pre-bid
conference. Of those 16, three companies are based in the Tulsa
area.
TARE is moving to a volume-based trash collection system, also
known nationally as pay-as-you-throw. This system gives the
customer an incentive to throw away less trash, and save money.
How? By offering recycling as part of the package.
The bids are due back in September and more details will be
generated for customers as TARE weighs the options and the bids to
find the best possible solution to Tulsa's trash collection and
disposal services. Please check on our website - www.cityoftulsa.org/trash
- for more information.
