Residential bulk cleanup changing to beginning of week, starting this week

With the new year comes new rules.

The City of Lawton is changing the way it collects bulk debris in residential areas, launching a new schedule that will pick up the debris at the beginning of the week rather than mid-week as crews do now. The new program begins this week with the residents of Area 1 (those who receive weekly residential trash collection on Mondays). But because city offices are closed Monday for New Year’s Day, Area 1 residents will have their bulk pickup begin on Tuesday. Everyone else will see their bulk pickup begin on Mondays, beginning next week with Area 2.

It’s a change from the method implemented by City of Lawton solid waste crews in 2021 as part of the change to once-a-week residential trash collection. Wednesdays have been the day that bulk debris collection begins. But earlier this year, City Council members directed that schedule be changed to Mondays as part of their efforts to clean up the community and control trash in residential neighborhoods. When a holiday falls on Monday (such as New Year’s Day), collections will begin on Tuesday.

Public Works officials had said the change would mean adding equipment and personnel to the department. Wednesday had been designated as the start of bulk collections because there are no residential collections are Wednesday, meaning it is a lighter work day, officials said at the time, adding that moving bulk pickups to Monday would increase the work for an already busy collection day.

Cynthia Williams, deputy director of Public Works, said the solid waste division has made the changes it needs, adding both staff and vehicles to accommodate the change from Wednesday to Monday, and are ready to launch the program this week.

That day is the only change in the bulk collection system, she said, adding that other guidelines remain in place. Residents may set out up to 4 cubic yards of trash on their curbside, but the debris must be placed away from any obstructions, to include vehicles, mail boxes and trees, and not be under trees or power lines. Debris may be set out up to 72 hours before their Monday collection.

Williams also reminded residents that those who don’t follow the rules are subject to charges for special pickups by the city, fees that will be added to their utility bills.