Holidays often disrupt normal trash and recycling collection schedules for Oklahoma City residents. Knowing when to expect delays around major holidays is key to ensuring your waste gets properly picked up. This article explains how holidays impact your scheduled pickup days in OKC and provides tips for handling trash and recycling on affected weeks.
Holiday Delays for Trash & Recycling Pickup
The following major holidays affect Oklahoma City trash collection:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
If the holiday falls on or prior to your regular collection day, pickups for that week will be delayed by one day.
For example, if you normally get trash pickup on Mondays, and the holiday is on Monday, your pickup will slide to Tuesday that week.
Recycling and bulk trash pickups slide by one day along with regular trash.
Finding Your Revised Pickup Day
When a holiday impacts your normal pickup, use these methods to confirm your revised collection day:
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Refer to the OKC Holiday Trash Schedule which lists adjusted dates.
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Use the My Trash Day Lookup and enter your address.
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Check the OCWUT social media for remindersleading up to holidays.
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Call OKC Utilities at 405-297-2833 for assistance.
By looking up your revised collection day in advance, you can avoid missed pickups due to holidays.
Holiday Tips for Trash & Recycling
Follow these tips around holidays to prevent issues:
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Don’t rely on memory – double check your revised pickup day each holiday.
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Set out carts by 7AM – collection starts early on holiday weeks.
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Expect delays – crews work slower on holiday weeks. Your pickup may happen later in the day.
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Avoid extra trash – holidays often generate excess waste. Try limiting what you set out to avoid overflow.
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Check for pickups – don’t assume missed carts are due to the holiday. Confirm your area had collections.
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Plan accordingly – take trees and decor to recycling centers promptly after holidays. Don’t let items linger.
With some preparation, you can make sure your waste and recycling are collected properly despite holiday changes.
What If My Pickup Was Missed After a Holiday?
If your carts were not collected after a holiday has passed:
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Verify that trash pickup occurred on your street – you may have just been accidentally missed.
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Check for up-to-date notifications on OCWUT social media regarding service issues.
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Call OKC Utilities at 405-297-2833 to report a missed collection.
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Use the Online Service Request System to notify the city.
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File a request promptly, within 2 days. After that you’ll have to wait until your next scheduled pickup.
With prompt reporting, many missed collections can be addressed with a return trip if caused by the holiday.
Schedules for Other Waste Services
Beyond trash and recycling, some other waste services are impacted by holidays as well:
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Bulk trash – picks up the day after your normal day that week
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Brush/storm debris – follows adjusted trash/recycling schedule
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Household Hazardous Waste – closed on holidays, open on Saturday that week
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Landfill – closed on holidays
Refer to the holiday trash schedule or call 405-297-2833 for specifics on other waste services.
Booking Services in Advance of Holidays
Need waste services around holidays? Book these well in advance:
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Extra trash cart – order 1 week prior to holiday
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Bulk pickup – schedule 2 weeks prior
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Roll off dumpster – reserve 3 weeks before
Holidays are busy times for trash and recycling services. Allow enough lead time when requesting extra pickups or containers.
Options for Excess Trash After Holidays
Holidays like Christmas often generate extra waste and recycling. If your carts overflow, try these options:
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Break down boxes and fill recycling bins fully
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Save non-perishables for the next regular trash day
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Make an extra trip to a recycling drop-off center
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Schedule an extra bulk or brush collection
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Hold non-hazardous excess trash until the Free Landfill Day
With smart planning, you can handle the spike in holiday waste without issue.
Understanding the holiday trash and recycling schedule in Oklahoma City ensures your pickups aren’t missed or delayed around major holidays. Be sure to make note of affected dates each year.
Reference
https://www.okc.gov/residents/holiday-trash-and-recycling-schedule
https://www.okc.gov/mytrashday