Ethan Clarke
Tulsa, Oklahoma, has implemented a comprehensive recycling program that includes the collection, sorting, and recycling of plastic products. Tulsa Recycle and Transfer (TRT) facility sorts recyclables on a conveyor belt, but plastic bags must be picked out by hand and are not accepted in Tulsa's blue recycling bins. The city offers curbside recycling services, and residents can drop off a variety of plastic items at designated recycling centers. Additionally, Tulsa has a recycling for cash program where residents can bring their recyclables to collection sites and get paid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags | Not accepted in Tulsa's blue recycling bins |
| Plastic types accepted | No. 1-7 plastics |
| Plastic items accepted | Water, soda, milk, and detergent bottles; dairy tubs; medication bottles; stadium cups |
| Other accepted recyclables | Paper, cardboard, glass, steel and<co: 4,9,11,12>aluminium cans, electronics, tires, and household hazardous waste |
| Plastic buyer | Scrapmanagement.com |
| Plastic buyer requirements | Only buys in bulk, enough to fill a truck |
| Plastic recycling benefits | Reduces waste, conserves energy and natural resources, reduces the need for new raw materials, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, minimizes the negative impact on the environment |
| Plastic types that cannot be recycled | Thermosetting plastics such as Bakelite and polyurethane |
| Plastic recycling locations | Feed Mr. Murph has 600+ locations around Tulsa |
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What You'll Learn
Tulsa's comprehensive plastic recycling program
Tulsa, Oklahoma, has implemented a comprehensive recycling program that includes the collection, sorting, and recycling of plastic products. Through this program, Tulsa has successfully reduced the volume of plastic sent to landfills, conserved energy, and preserved natural resources.
The city of Tulsa offers a variety of options for its residents to recycle plastic products. Tulsa Recycle and Transfer (TRT) facility sorts through recyclables on a conveyor belt, separating various plastics, including beverage bottles, food containers, packaging, trays, and more. Plastic bags, however, are not accepted in Tulsa's blue recycling bins and must be thrown in the trash.
Feed Mr. Murph is another recycling service provider in Tulsa with over 600 locations around the city. They accept a wide range of recyclables, including aluminum and steel cans, plastic, cardboard, and paper. Mr. Murph's facilities are designed with automation and AI robots to separate mixed recyclables efficiently and maintain the highest quality specifications.
Tulsa also offers a recycling for cash program where residents can bring their recyclables to designated collection sites and get paid for them. This program includes a range of accepted materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and aluminum cans. Additionally, electronic waste, such as computers, TVs, and phones, can be recycled at the city's designated recycling centers.
Furthermore, Tulsa has taken steps to address the challenges of recycling certain types of plastic. While thermoplastics can be melted and molded repeatedly, about a third of plastics do not soften when heated and are challenging to recycle. The city's comprehensive program aims to maximize the recycling potential of various plastic products while also exploring ways to reduce plastic waste and promote environmental sustainability.
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Plastic bags are not recycled in Tulsa
Plastic bags are a significant issue for the contractor that sorts and processes Tulsa's blue-cart recycling. They get tangled in the equipment, and there is no automated way to remove them. Additionally, recycling plastic bags is not cost-effective. The market rate for plastic bags is about 1.5 cents per pound, but this is only achieved after the cost of collecting the bags has been overcome. In comparison, a pound of soda bottles has a market rate of about 14 cents per pound.
While plastic bags cannot be recycled in Tulsa's blue carts, other plastic items can. This includes beverage bottles, food containers, plastic drums, plastic buckets, plastic toys, plastic chairs and tables, plastic trays, plastic bowls, plastic dishware, plastic bottles for cosmetics and household products, plastic piping, and plastic crates.
Recycling plastic is essential for the future of our planet. It allows for the reuse of materials, reducing the need for new raw materials, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing the negative impact on the environment.
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Plastic types recycled in Tulsa
Tulsa's recycling facilities accept a wide range of plastic types for recycling. However, it is important to note that plastic bags are not accepted in Tulsa's blue recycling carts and must be disposed of separately.
Plastics No. 1-7 are accepted in Tulsa's recycling program. This includes a variety of plastic containers and packaging such as water, soda, milk, and detergent bottles; dairy tubs; medication bottles; and stadium cups. Other acceptable plastic items include beverage bottles, juice bottles, drink containers, plastic food containers, packaging for cosmetics and household products, food packaging, PET purge, trays, polyester fibre, films, strapping, and more.
Additionally, Tulsa's recycling facilities also accept PVC or vinyl plastic, which is used in various industries, including household items, automotive components, and construction materials. Specific items made from PVC or vinyl plastic that can be recycled include disposable food containers and cups, protective packaging materials (EPS foam), insulation materials such as thermal insulation boards and panels, CD and DVD cases, electronics (television and computer parts), plastic chairs and tables, boxes and storage containers, plastic toys and gaming accessories, plastic picture frames and mirrors, and plastic bowls and dishware.
Some companies in Tulsa that specialize in purchasing and recycling various types of plastic in bulk also accept all grades of plastic. However, they typically require large quantities and arrange for the transportation of the plastic waste to recycling centers.
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Tulsa Recycle and Transfer facility
Tulsa, Oklahoma, is dedicated to reducing its environmental impact through the proper management of plastic waste. The Tulsa Recycle and Transfer (TRT) facility plays a crucial role in this endeavour.
The TRT facility is designed to separate and sort a wide range of recyclables, including plastics. After an initial automated separation process, the remaining recyclables are placed on a conveyor belt, where employees manually identify and remove items that cannot be recycled. Plastic bags, for instance, are a common issue and must be picked out and thrown away.
The facility accepts a variety of plastic items for recycling, such as beverage bottles (water, soda, milk, juice, detergent), dairy tubs, medication bottles, stadium cups, and more. These plastics are sorted and prepared for recycling into new products, a process that helps conserve energy and natural resources.
In addition to plastics, the TRT facility also accepts other materials like paper, cardboard, glass, and aluminium cans. They even offer special programs for recycling electronics, tires, and household hazardous waste. This comprehensive approach ensures that a wide range of items are diverted from landfills, contributing to Tulsa's goal of environmental sustainability.
While plastic recycling is essential, it is not without its challenges. Some plastics, like thermosetting plastics, cannot be recycled as they harden after heating. Additionally, the quality of recycled plastic can degrade over time. Nonetheless, Tulsa remains committed to its recycling program, reducing plastic waste, and encouraging residents to properly dispose of their recyclables through initiatives like the Tulsa recycling for cash program.
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Tulsa businesses recycling with Feed Mr. Murph
Tulsa businesses can benefit from recycling with Feed Mr. Murph in several ways. Firstly, by participating in the Feed Mr. Murph program, businesses can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to making Tulsa a more sustainable city. Recycling helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimizes the negative impact of plastic waste on the environment.
Secondly, Feed Mr. Murph makes recycling convenient and accessible for businesses. With over 600 locations around Tulsa, businesses can easily separate recyclables such as aluminum and steel cans, plastic, cardboard, and paper, and drop them off at a nearby location. This not only helps the environment but also reduces disposal costs for businesses.
The Feed Mr. Murph program is unique due to its automation. It utilizes technology, such as conveyor belts, high-powered magnets, optical sorters, and AI robots, to efficiently separate recyclables and maintain the highest quality specifications. This automation ensures that 95% of recyclables delivered to Mr. Murph remain in Oklahoma, supporting local jobs and the state's economy.
Additionally, Feed Mr. Murph offers a Business Recycling Program specifically tailored to businesses' recycling goals. Through this program, businesses can reduce their trash stream, lower disposal costs, and conserve natural resources and energy. By extending the life of landfills and reducing the need for new raw materials, businesses can play a crucial role in making Tulsa a greener and more sustainable city.
Overall, the Tulsa Business Recycling Program with Feed Mr. Murph provides an efficient and effective way for businesses to manage their waste while contributing to the environmental and economic well-being of the city. By participating in this program, businesses can do their part in reducing, reusing, and recycling, ultimately benefiting Tulsa and its community.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics No. 1-7 can be recycled in Tulsa. This includes water, soda, milk, and detergent bottles, dairy tubs, medication bottles, and stadium cups.
Tulsa has implemented a comprehensive recycling program that includes the collection, sorting, and recycling of plastic products. Tulsa Recycle and Transfer (TRT) facility sorts recyclables on a conveyor belt, with humans separating items by sight.
Tulsa has a number of designated recycling centers where citizens can drop off a variety of plastic items. There are 600+ Feed Mr. Murph locations around the city that accept recyclables.
