Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Household Hazardous Waste Swapshop topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Household pollutant facility reports higher pounds collected; staff to survey swap-shop users
Summary
The city’s household pollutant collection facility reported a rise in pounds collected year-over-year for March and plans a survey of swap-shop users after staff observed frequent repeat customers. The facility manager announced retirement effective July 1.
At the Tulsa household pollutant collection facility, staff reported a small shift in customers but a measurable increase in material collected in March compared with the prior year and said they will survey swap-shop users to better understand use patterns.
Mister Van Lew, who presented the report, said the facility was open eight days in March 2025 versus nine days in March 2024, and that total weight collected rose from 45,045 pounds last year to 48,939 pounds this March — an increase of nearly 4,000 pounds. He said the pounds per customer rose from about 83 to about 92.
Van Lew described changes to the facility’s swap shop. The shop previously required visitors to bring an item in order to take an item; staff removed that requirement to move more material through the shop, allowing walk-ins to take up to five items. "We allowed customers just to walk in off the street and collect five items and leave with those items," Van Lew said. He reported the immediate effect: regular visitors arrive at opening, shelves clear quickly and staff are concerned some individuals may be taking items for resale.
To gather facts before making new rules, staff will run a short survey of swap-shop users to determine frequency and purpose of use, and add a line to the monthly report showing items given away. Van Lew said the swap shop provides reusable, high-value items such as paint: "A high quality Behr paint is $65 a gallon," he noted, explaining the financial benefit of reuse.
Van Lew also said the facility will track swap-shop giveaways and that staff may propose limits (for example, limiting the number of visits per month) if the survey and data indicate the current approach is being abused. He described the swap shop as reducing disposal costs, but added the city wants data before imposing limits.
In other remarks, Van Lew announced his retirement from the City of Tulsa effective July 1. "I have one more Tare board, and then I'm retiring. Effective July 1," he said. Several board members congratulated him during the meeting.
No formal board action was taken on swap-shop policy at the meeting; staff will return with survey results and updated monthly reporting.
