Cart Repo reports over 1900 recovered shopping carts in Tulsa's pilot project

Tulsa's innovative Cart Repo program is making significant strides in addressing the persistent issue of abandoned shopping carts in the city. During a recent meeting of the Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy on May 27, 2025, Shantel Mohammed, co-founder and CFO of Cart Repo, presented impressive quarterly results, revealing that the program has successfully collected 1,917 carts from over 40 retailers since its inception in December 2024.

The program aims to create a sustainable solution for the shopping cart problem that many cities face. Mohammed highlighted that nearly 70% of the collected carts belong to retailers, emphasizing the need for these businesses to take a more active role in the solution. Community engagement has been a key factor in the program's success, with residents actively reporting abandoned carts, which has allowed the team to recover carts from various locations throughout the city.

The meeting also addressed the challenges faced in getting retailers to participate fully in the program. Many retailers are hesitant to engage due to concerns about the theft of their carts. However, the Cart Repo team argues that retailers must recognize the value of their carts and the service provided by the program in recovering them. The discussion included potential incentives for retailers to encourage their participation, as well as the need for consequences for non-compliance.

In addition to the immediate benefits of cart recovery, the program aims to close the sustainability loop by returning recovered carts to retailers, thereby reducing waste and promoting environmental responsibility. The city has allocated $100,000 for the continuation of this pilot program, which is expected to evolve as more retailers come on board.

As the Cart Repo program progresses, city officials are optimistic about its potential to not only clean up the streets but also foster a collaborative approach between the city and local retailers. The next steps will involve ongoing discussions with retailers, particularly those who own the majority of the carts, to ensure their active participation in the program. The city is committed to finding creative solutions to this ongoing issue, with the hope of establishing a more sustainable and efficient system for managing shopping carts in Tulsa.