Organize a Neighborhood Cleanup

Toolkit Contents

Toolkit Overview

Projects

• Start a Neighborhood Association
• Develop a Neighborhood Identity Sign
• Throw a Block Party
• Organize a Neighborhood Cleanup
• Report Code Violations
• Establish a Neighborhood Tool Library
• Start an Alert Neighbors Program
• Prepare for an Emergency
• Install a Storm Shelter
• Plant and Care for Trees
• Install Rain Barrels
• Plant a Rain Garden
• Request Mixed-Use Zoning Along BRT Route

Fundraising

Description

Organizing a neighborhood cleanup can help bring neighbors closer together while improving their neighborhood. The City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy (TARE) offer a Neighborhood Dumpster Program, which provides a 30-yard dumpster for free to registered neighborhood associations. Additional supplies may also be available.

Neighborhood cleanups could also involve clearing sidewalks, mowing, trimming and edging, pulling weeds, re-painting or staining a fence, removing litter or graffiti, or planting flowers or trees. It could also mean helping a neighbor in need by building a wheelchair ramp or making home repairs.

Steps 

1. Organize and formally register as a Neighborhood Association with the City of Tulsa. Only registered Associations are eligible.
2. Talk to your neighbors to decide which projects need to be completed, and agree on three possible dates to host your projects.
3. Request a dumpster online.
4. Recruit volunteers for specific projects. Try to find at least one expert you can pair inexperienced volunteers with. A spreadsheet may help keep everyone’s responsibilities in order, and if your group is large enough, you may need captains in charge of specific elements of your projects.
5. Gather supplies. Your project may require brooms, weed trimmers, lawn mowers, shovels, gloves, paint brushes, litter pickers, trash bags, or other items. If your group is spread over a large area, it would be wise to recruit someone with a large vehicle to haul filled trash bags or other items back to the dumpster (or to the Green Waste Facility) throughout the day. Free supplies may be available through Keep Oklahoma Beautiful’s programs (next page).
6. Publicize the cleanup on your neighborhood Facebook page, Nextdoor group, newsletter, and at neighborhood meetings.
7. Get to Work! Make sure everyone stays hydrated, and that you have sunscreen, bug spray, and appropriate clothing (close-toed shoes, hats, etc.). If your work will take several hours, ask for volunteers to supply food or snacks to keep everyone fueled up.
8. Make sure your neighbors know what they can and cannot put into the dumpster. This includes: limbs and other tree debris, grass clippings, Freon-bearing appliances, car parts or tires, air conditioners, roofing materials, and whole buildings, sheds, or garages. See website for details.
9. Contact the City for pickup when your dumpster is full.
10. Take photos of your projects and share them with us at
    facebook.com/tulsaplanning or email us at djeffries@cityoftulsa.org.

City of Tulsa Waste Services

Bulky Waste
For large, bulky items like furniture and appliances, residents can call Bulky Waste at 918.596.9777 to arrange for pickup. Cost: $10 per eight cubic yards

Household Pollutant Collection Facility
918.591.4325
cityoftulsa.org/hpcf

This facility accepts many items not allowed in regular trash pickup, including lawn chemicals, paints, fluorescent lights, and more. View the full list of accepted items online or by calling 918.591.4325.

Dead Animal Removal
Dead animal collection from the street or curb can be arranged by calling 918.596.9777.

Green Waste Drop-Off
2100 N. 145th E. Ave.
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except City holidays.

The City of Tulsa offers free yard waste drop-off. Residents may dispose of grass, leaves, brush and tree limbs. A current drivers license with a Tulsa address or a City of Tulsa utility bill are required. Wood chips are available for free, as well.

Recycling
The City of Tulsa offers curbside recycling for many items on regular trash days. In addition, the Metropolitan Environmental Trust (M.e.t.) operates free drop-off recycling centers throughout the metro area, including three in Tulsa.

Many of these locations accept items not collected in your blue curbside recycling bin, including plastic bags, motor oil, cooking oil, antifreeze, batteries, electronic waste, and eyeglasses. Visit metrecycle.com for a full list of items accepted at each location, and hours. 

Tulsa Locations:

Central Tulsa
3495 S. Sheridan Rd., just north of the railroad tracks

Downtown Tulsa
1101 S. Cincinnati Ave.

East Tulsa
2160 S. Garnett Rd., at Plaza Santa Cecilia

The M.e.t. also offers a lend-a-bin program, composting education and composting bin sales, and volunteer opportunities. Visit metrecycle.com or call 918.584.0584 for more information.

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Programs

keepoklahomabeautiful.com

Great American Cleanup — An annual, nationwide project. Keep Oklahoma Beautiful coordinates cleanup activities in Oklahoma. Registered participants receive free supplies for their event. Don’t miss this opportunity to spruce up your community next spring! Everything kicks off on March 1 and ends May 31.

Fresh Paint Days — A program designed to encourage volunteers to seek out unsightly community structures and renovate them with the creative use of resources. Willing volunteers make use of donated paint and a stipend for supplies to transform their building with the application of fresh paint, a little creativity, and a lot of elbow grease!

Lend-a-Bin — Keep Oklahoma Beautiful has recycling bins available for your use. Neighborhood cleanups, conferences, and festivals are just a few ideas on how your organization can use these bins. Bins must be picked up at KOB’s offices in Oklahoma City. Tulsa-area residents can also borrow bins from the M.e.t.

Environmental Excellence Competition — Each year, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful calls for nominations for environmental awards in a number of categories. The prestigious awards are presented at an Awards Recognition Banquet each November.

Litter Education — Provides educational opportunities for students through creative projects. Each program is developed to teach students about the harmful effects of littering and the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Workshops — KOB staff, community leaders, volunteers and experienced organizational directors provide useful knowledge and expertise at these workshops.