Oklahoma City, OK Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Eligibility
- Urban collection residences only
- Cart supplied
- One recycling cart per urban residence
- Accepted materials
- Newspaper, aluminum cans, glass, HDPE/PET plastic, steel cans
- Placement rule
- Curb line, separate from trash, not commingled
- Enforcing agency
- Solid Waste Management Division, Utilities Dept.
- First offense
- Class A offense under § 49-34
Summary
Oklahoma City limits curbside recycling to urban collection residences: recyclables go in the City-issued cart, kept separate from trash, and must not be mixed with municipal waste. The Solid Waste Management Division designates what counts as recyclable and supplies one recycling cart per eligible household under Code of Ordinances § 49-25(f) and § 49-42.
Recyclable material(s) may only be set out for collection by urban collection residents. The recyclable material(s) may be commingled but separately placed at the curb line in the appropriate provided cart for collection, pursuant to Section 49-41(a) unless the Superintendent designates a different location. Such recyclable material(s) should not be commingled with municipal waste. (Code 1970, § 30-9(a)—(c); Ord. No. 15910, § 1, 7-29-80; Ord. No. 16736, § 4, 6-29-82; Code 1980, § 49-25; Ord. No. 21055, § 1, 5-26-98; Ord. No. 22533, §§ 1, 2, 8-31-04; Ord. No. 26850, § 1, 9-14-21)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
' Rural collection residences, defined in § 49-21(29) as those inside the City but not designated urban, are not covered by this recycling option under the current code. Section 49-21(24) defines what the Superintendent may designate as recyclable: old newspaper containing less than five percent non-news content, non-ferrous used beverage cans (aluminum), rinsed glass food and beverage containers, clear HDPE and PET plastic drink containers, and steel (bi-metal ferrous) food and beverage containers. Section 49-42(a) requires the City to 'provide up to two trash carts for each urban and rural residence and one recycling cart for each urban residence,' with additional carts available for an added fee; the resident is responsible for the cart's safekeeping and cleaning until inspected or service ends, and must promptly notify the Division of a move so the cart can be transferred to the new resident.
If a cart is lost or stolen, the resident must notify the Division and the Police Department; damage from abuse, neglect or improper use is billed to the resident at current repair or replacement cost, while normal wear and tear (a lid that will not fit, non-functioning wheels) is replaced at no cost. All carts remain City property and must stay at the assigned residence.
Violations & Fines
Section 49-42(b) makes it 'unlawful and an offense for a person to be found in possession of a cart not assigned by the Division or for a person to be utilizing such cart for any purpose other than described herein.' Section 49-42(c) requires the cart to be kept clean, in good repair, with the lid secured so insects cannot access the contents. Under § 49-34, a first violation of this article is a Class 'A' offense; a second or subsequent offense with proof of a prior conviction is a Class 'B' offense, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rural Oklahoma City residences get recycling carts?
What materials can go in my Oklahoma City recycling cart?
Can I put recyclables in my regular trash cart?
What if I use a recycling cart not assigned to my address?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oklahoma City
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle recycling requirements.