Beginning this week, Midwest City residential trash customers started receiving their curbside recycling polycarts in preparation for the July 1 launch date of the new program.
Republic Services is overseeing the transfer of the 95-gallon carts from a staging area on SE 29th Street just east of Douglas Blvd. to every residential customers' household in the city.
The carts, which total nearly 20,000, will not be delivered to businesses or apartment complexes, as these are not part of the new curbside recycling program at this time but could be in the future, city officials have said.
Once their cart arrives, each residential customer will find an informational packet attached. The recycling program is referred to as a commingled, single-stream system, meaning customers will not need to separate recyclable products. Anyone with additional questions can call 739-1063 or email [email protected].
The city also has set up a new "Curbside Recycling" section on the homepage of their website to help answer questions. The section is located on the right side of the homepage under the Midwest City Relocation Video.
Although the recycling program is mandatory and will cost all residential customers an extra $2.75 per month on their bill, they have options to help offset this cost if desired.
Kay Hunt, city spokesperson, said residents can opt to replace their 95-gallon santitation cart with a smaller 65-gallon one.
This will save residents $1.25 on their monthly bill, making the base rate $11 instead of $12.25 per month for the larger cart.
In addition, customers with two sanitation carts may also find themselves only needing one cart after they begin recycling, which will save them money.
To make changes to one’s santitation service, residents are advised to call 732-2281 to do so.
As a result of the curbside recycling program, the city plans to phase out the unmanned drop-off recycling center on Jim White Drive (off of SE 15th Street). Also, any customers that choose not to participate in the new program, must still keep the recycling polycart at their residence, as it cannot be returned to the city and are the property of Republic Services.
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