Broken Arrow launches recycling outreach and education plan

The City of Broken Arrow turns a new page on sustainability and municipal service this month as the outreach and education plan for curbside recycling and trash pick-up officially launches.

The education and outreach program is a phased plan, focused on community engagement and a high standard of professionalism for City staff. Beginning with a revamped website, RecycleBA.com, the City will spend the month of June producing and distributing informational content about the upcoming program rollout.

In the early weeks of July, Broken Arrow residents will receive a mailer with size options for their trash cart, and the opportunity to opt in or out of curbside recycling. In a pilot program facilitated by the City last year, 88 percent of participants surveyed stated that recycling was important in their community. More than 70 percent of participants agreed that curbside recycling helped them recycle more than they had in the past, when they had to take the time to drop off recyclables at a separate location.

The first major event of the outreach and education plan is an opportunity for Broken Arrow children to help name the trash and recycling carts through a coloring contest. Contest details are available on RecycleBA.com.

City staff will be available to answer questions and concerns about the curbside cart program throughout the summer, while actively working to educate residents on appropriate waste sorting practices. Resources will be available on RecycleBA.com, as well as through the City’s social media pages.

The outreach plan was detailed by the City’s new Recycling Outreach Coordinator, Mackenzie Jones, at the June 2 Broken Arrow Municipal Authority (BAMA) meeting. Video of Jones’ presentation is available below.

Arrival of curbside carts is scheduled for late September, and service is anticipated to begin in October.

The City’s change to cart service was officially adopted during the March 3, 2020, BAMA meeting. The Operations Plan approved at that meeting included the introduction of curbside recycling, conversion from bags to carts for trash, and upgrades to trucks including automation.

BAMA, which is comprised of the five city councilors, oversees Broken Arrow’s residential refuse collection program. The City’s refuse service currently serves about 35,500 homes.