New Program Increases Tulsa Residents’ Ability to Recycle Paper Cups at Home

More than 252,000 households in the Tulsa metropolitan area can now place clean and empty paper cups in recycling carts and drop-off bins for curbside collection. The region’s primary materials recovery facility, Mr. Murph 2.0, partnered with the Foodservice Packaging Institute on a communications grant to educate residents on the wide range of take-out packaging that can be placed in curbside recycling bins and drop-off recycling bins instead of trash cans.

“Amidst our continued acceptance of numerous take-out containers, we are excited to announce our efforts in educating residents about our recycling process and the best practices that support it. By doing so, we aim to tackle the issue of contamination and avoid sending valuable materials for incineration or disposal at landfills,” said Robert Pickens, Vice President of American Waste Control, Inc.

The Tulsa metropolitan area can recycle food packaging containers, including clean paper and plastic cups and containers, pizza and sandwich boxes, and paper bags, through community curbside and drop-off recycling program. To best prepare the items for processing, residents are asked to empty the recyclables of any liquid or food residue before placing them in their recycling cart or recycling drop-off bin.

“We are proud to partner with American Waste Control in their efforts to raise awareness and educate Tulsa residents on acceptable take-out containers that can be placed in recycling cart and bins. By empowering residents with knowledge and skills, we can divert valuable materials from being disposed as waste and advance Tulsa’s circular economy,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

The recycling program strengthens Oklahoma’s economy and generates employment opportunities within the state. Nearly 95% of recyclables delivered to Mr. Murph stay in the state. Mr. Murph will lead the charge to help encourage Tulsa area residents to recycle, by communicating messaging around recycling clean and empty take-out containers. American Waste Control’s outreach campaign kicks off on May 3rd and features an educational recycling video, social media, digital ads, an infographic on recycling take-out containers, and updates to their popular “Feed Mr. Murph” recycle right education game.

To learn more and see a list of all acceptable curbside recyclables, visit feedmrmurph.com.