T.A.R.E. Board Recommendations
The City of Tulsa is currently evaluating bids to run the trash and recycling collection services based on recommendations made by the T.A.R.E Board. The Board’s proposal includes several key recommendations that would improve the current system, including once-a-week trash service and same-day recycling pick-up with a fee system based on how much you throw away or “Pay As You Throw” (PAYT).The TYPros Leadership Team is endorsing their proposal and asking for your help to advocate to the City Council and the Mayor for the following reasons:
1. The proposed system will create an equitable system for ALL Tulsans. For years, the northwest quadrant of Tulsa has received less service than their fellow households, while paying nearly the same fee. This inequality will be resolved in all bids being considered by TARE, providing Tulsa residents with the same level of service regardless of their home’s geographic location. In addition, the proposed trash system will implement a “pay as you throw” policy, allowing those households with a smaller trash burden to pay proportionately less than households with larger levels of waste.
2. The proposed system will be more sustainable and will incentivize recycling. If individuals are paying for the amount of trash they produce, they will be more likely to recycle in efforts to lower their trash fee. Recycling services will also be provided to all residents, without an additional cost.
3. New trucks and updated routes would create substantial benefits for the whole community, such as:
• Reduced workers compensation claims;
• Cleaner burning fuel, keeping Tulsa within EPA regulations and avoiding costly penalties to the City and local businesses;
• Reduced heavy truck traffic on neighborhood streets, a leading cause of road damage; and
• Reduced fuel costs, which will be factored into the consumers’ rates.
The TYPros Leadership Team feels strongly that a city with robust recycling systems and active public engagement in city boards and commissions (such as T.A.R.E.) is more attractive to the high-achieving young professionals. As part of the TYPros mission to attract and retain quality YPs, we ask that you join the organization in support of the T.A.R.E. Board’s proposal. Contact the City Council and the Mayor to express your opinion.
The T.A.R.E. (Tulsa Authority Recovery of Energy) Board is a city commission of volunteers appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. The T.A.R.E. Board's Refuse and Recycling Task Force is a volunteer board composed of five community volunteers appointed by former Mayor Kathy Taylor in 2009. The purpose of the taskforce was to study best practices in other similar-sized cities and based on their findings; make a formal recommendation to the T.A.R.E. Board to proposed to the City Council and execute upon approval.
Please see the following link for a full version of the T.A.R.E. Board's proposal and rationale.
http://www.cityoftulsa.org/city-services/refuse/changes-to-your-trash-service.aspx
Additional Resources:
Compressed Natural Gas for TARE Board
Facts About Trash