Mayor Kathy Taylor has named a citizen committee to consider options relating to the city’s future trash collection and recycling.

The 16-member board will consider citizens’ input, review reports and contracts relating to trash and recycling services and then make long-term recommendations. Those recommendations, expected in three months, will be given to the T.A.R.E. Board (trash to energy board), city council, and the new mayor.

The proposals will include a set of collection options for trash, recycling and combination collections, and a comparison of the real cost of each option and the associated impacts.

“As promised in my budget speech, I think it is important for a citizen dialogue to begin about the future of trash collection in our city,” Mayor Taylor said.
 
“It was important to launch this effort so citizen input can be included and recommendations ready far in advance of the expiration of the contract for trash service the city has had since 1979,” she added. 

Brett Fidler, Special Adviser on Sustainability, will serve as the City of Tulsa staff representative on the task force, along with Eric Lee, Field Customer Service Manager, and Ken Hill, Assistant Director of Public Works.

Task force members include Beverly Anderson, Theodore Management; Jim Bachman, LaFarge Cement; Sherry Heim; Roy Heim; Blake Ewing, entrepreneur; Marla Mayberry, Tulsa Urban League; Michael Patton, the M.e.t.; Rep. Seneca Scott, State Representative; Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, State Representative; Ben Lathan, GBR Properties; Karisha Arnett, Arvest Bank; Jan Leas, Coca-cola Enterprises; Tulsa City Councilor Bill Christiansen; and Tulsa City Councilor G.T. Bynum.