In celebration of America Recycles Day, the City of Norman emphasizes its year-round commitment to efficient recycling. A recent article on the City of Norman website mentions that the city's initiatives have streamlined the recycling process for residents.
Chris Mattingly, Director of the City of Norman's Utilities Department, explained that crews work continuously to ensure recyclable materials are processed efficiently. Each year, over 1,000 tons of recyclables are collected at drop centers from local residents, Mattingly told. Interim Solid Waste and Recycling Manager Brandon McLendon also reported that local businesses contribute significantly to cardboard recycling, with more than 1,000 tons of cardboard processed and reused for items like pizza boxes and packaging materials, as reported by the City of Norman.
The City of Norman's curbside recycling program collects over 4,000 tons of mixed recyclables each year, which are sorted at a recovery facility in Kansas. Materials like plastics, glass, and aluminum are recycled into new products. “It can take as little as six weeks from the time an aluminum can is created for it to be recycled and remanufactured into a new can.” Proper sorting is important, especially with cardboard, as greasy pizza boxes can contaminate other recyclables. The program helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to resource extraction and manufacturing.
