Curbside Trash and Recycling
If you have questions regarding your trash/recycling bins or trash/recycling pick up please contact the Sanitation/Transfer Station.
Specialty Recycling
The City of Norman recycle items such as plastics, paper, aluminum, and cardboard. By adhering to our guidelines, community members can contribute to reducing landfill waste and fostering a cleaner environment.
To find your collection day, view our interactive Residential Sanitation Collection Maps and click on "Recycle Day and Week".
Miss a pick-up day? Don't worry, the City of Norman has three self-service recycling drop-off centers! Learn more about these Recycling Centers here.
What about plastic bags?
The Community Recycling Unit at Sam's Club accepts the following:
- aluminum
- clear plastic containers (#1 and #2 only)
- home cleaning/beauty bottles
- plastic bags and films
- plastic bottles
- rigid plastic food packaging
Located at 3400 West Main Street, the unit is a free, self-service drop-off container and a Sam's Club membership is not required!
Foam FAQs
What is the Environmental Impact of Foam?
"Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)," the #6 in the recycle triangle found on plastic containers, and named "Styrofoam" by its inventor, the Dow Chemical Corporation, is a known carcinogen if eaten, burned in incinerators, or left to leach into the soil by placing it in the landfill instead of being recycled. It will essentially remain, crushed, dirty and broken, 500 years from now; It doesn't decompose. The cup you drank your morning coffee from will remain in the environment "forever."
"Foam" wreaks havoc on the environment. One of the main concerns is that it's not biodegradable and therefore takes up a lot of space in landfills, which adds to the pollution problem. If littered, EPS foam sometimes breaks into smaller pieces that are more difficult to clean up. Another argument against EPS foam is that it's made from nonrenewable fossil fuels and synthetic chemicals, which can also contribute to pollution. EPS foam sometimes makes its way into waterways and can have disastrous effects on animals that may confuse it for food or nesting material.
In 2019, coalition of local churches called "Churches Caring for Creation," decided to work together to develop a program with the goal of safely recycling #6 plastic. This goal has spread to the public collection of foam in 6 central Oklahoma communities.
Where Can I Recycle Foam?
A "Styro-Station" where foam can be dropped off for safe recycling is located at:
University Lutheran Church & Student Center
914 Elm (1ST block south of Lindsey)
*Styro-Station is easily accessed off the church parking lot located on College, behind the church.
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A drop-off box is placed outside the door if the office is closed.
Items to recycle include foodservice containers and packaging foam, but no packaging peanuts. Because all foam must be "clean,Clean, CLEAN" to densify into solid plastic logs, all items brought to recycle must be grease-free, food and drink-free, and have tape and paper labels removed.
++ Please bring egg cartons WHOLE as they are recycled to a family poultry farmer in Seminole, OK.
What Happens to Foam after Collection?
The foam logs are placed on pallets and stored under a protective cover because plastic deteriorates when exposed to light. (Think about plastic outdoor furniture left out in the sun.)
A major national plastics recycler has expressed interest in securing our densified logs. They will sell and transport the foam to manufacturers who make new items from recycled foam. Some of these items include picture frames, crown molding and decorative trim for ships, motor homes and airplanes in which keeping weight to a minimum is beneficial.
It’s more economical to make new foam items from recycled foam than using virgin chemicals. Any proceeds of this sale will be returned to the foam densifying program to pay for equipment, gasoline, and densifying supplies.