Plastic Bag Rules: Owasso vs Tulsa
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Owasso, OK and Tulsa, OK?
Tulsa has fewer restrictions than Owasso.
Owasso, OK
Tulsa County
Oklahoma prohibits municipalities from regulating, taxing, or banning auxiliary containers including plastic bags, foam, and similar items, reserving authority to the state legislature.
View full Owasso rules →Tulsa, OK
Tulsa County
Tulsa cannot enforce a plastic bag ban or fee. 27A O.S. § 2-11-504 (SB 1001, 2019) preempts all Oklahoma political subdivisions from regulating auxiliary containers, except on property they own. Tulsa's M.e.t. (Metropolitan Environmental Trust) operates voluntary recycling drop-offs, including plastic-film stations.
View full Tulsa rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Owasso | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Local Ordinance | - | None — Oklahoma preempts |
| Preemption Statute | - | 27A O.S. § 2-11-504 (2019) |
| Task Force | - | Tulsa 2017–2018 Plastic Bag Task Force ended pre-2019 |
| Carve-Out | - | City may regulate on city-owned property |
| Drop-Off Partner | - | Metropolitan Environmental Trust (M.e.t.) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Owasso FAQ
Can an Oklahoma city charge a plastic bag fee?
No. State law preempts city-level fees, taxes, or bans on plastic bags and similar containers.
Are voluntary store programs still allowed?
Yes. Stores and cities may run voluntary recycling and reusable-bag incentive programs.
Tulsa FAQ
Does Tulsa have a plastic bag ban?
No. Tulsa has no plastic bag ban or fee. 27A O.S. § 2-11-504 (SB 1001, 2019) preempts all Oklahoma political subdivisions from regulating auxiliary containers.
What happened to Tulsa's Plastic Bag Task Force?
The Task Force studied possible local action in 2017–2018 but never published a recommended ordinance. When SB 1001 was enacted in April 2019, the work was discontinued because any ordinance would have been preempted on its face.
Where can I recycle plastic bags in Tulsa?
At Metropolitan Environmental Trust (M.e.t.) drop-off centers that accept plastic film — check the Lewis Avenue, Memorial Drive, and Mohawk Recycling Center locations. Most Tulsa-area Walmart, Target, and Reasor's stores also have front-of-store plastic-film bins.
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