Stillwater Recognized by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful for Environmental Efforts

The City of Stillwater received the Affiliate of the Year award from Keep Oklahoma Beautiful at the 34^th Annual Environmental Excellence Celebration due to both Waste Management Department and Watershed Quality Division staffs’ day-to-day services and organizational structure and community involvement with annual events.

Annual events and day-to-day services that receive statewide attention and commendations include the Convenience Collection Center, Trash-Off Event, Household Hazardous Waste, Street Sweeper Service and Trash and Recycling collections. This year was also “firsts” for some events, including the first-ever Recycling Festival in conjunction with Oklahoma State University Extension and Stillwater hosting the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Winter Workshop.

“We take great pride in the quality-of-life improvements we provide our customers and our community as a whole through waste management and recycling,” Director of Waste Management Matt Faulkner said. “Our entire team continuously seeks efforts to enhance and increase services for our customers. I’m passionate about the health and safety initiatives and resources we are creating today that will benefit Stillwater now and for many years to come.”

Throughout the years, Waste Management has developed initiatives to meet the community’s population growth, the increase of events, and other needs which include students moving in and out with semester changes. From street sweeper services, the Convenience Collection Center, to the “Trash Off” events, the increased productivity is impressive.

“Most are unaware that Waste Management will alter their hours to clean up after and before large events to ensure all attendees are safe and in a healthy, happy and productive environment. For example, OSU Homecoming festivities; crews will clean up affected areas, sweep the streets late at night and pick up trash before the sun comes up so eventgoers can have the best experience,” Assistant City Manager Christy Driskel said. “Another example, before students move back in, staff will completely clean the area and nearby neighborhoods to welcome everyone back for a healthier educational experience.”

In Fiscal Year 2024, through the street sweeper service, Waste Management collected 5,432 cubic yards of debris and swept a total of 12,898 lane miles. This was an increase compared to Fiscal Year 2023 where 3,782 cubic yards of debris was collected, and 8,024 lane miles swept.

Thousands have continued to utilize the Convenience Collection Center, with more than 261,800 visitors since 2019. In Fiscal Year 2024, the Center collected more than 387 tons of recycling, 408 tons of trash, and 478 tons of yard waste.

“Our goal is to make sure we provide the best services possible for all our residents here in the City of Stillwater, and we do not stop there with some visitors from nearby towns utilizing the Convenience Collection Center, as well,” Faulkner included. “Our primary focus is to try and make sure our customers can utilize our solid waste and recycling services with minimal impact to their normal day-to-day lives.”

 Watershed Quality Specialist Chris Franks has been meeting the needs of Stillwater residents and visitors for nearly two decades, beginning in the Environmental Programs Division to what is now the Watershed Quality Division. One of the City’s most heavily participated initiatives is the annual Trash-Off Event, with more than 31 tons of trash collected, by hand, since 2020.

“We also cover areas that the community does not see, such as underpasses. All of these areas can affect our storm water,” Franks included. “We have many citizen groups who help throughout the year in addition to our annual Trash-Off Event. It’s the community partnerships that truly make a difference. Participation in these events are key to ensuring we have cleaner and safer areas in Stillwater.”

Stillwater is also one of few cities in Oklahoma that have an annual Household Hazardous Waste Event, Franks included.

“I’ve had other cities lean into me and observe our event, go back to their city, and try to have one. They typically have minimal participation and are not as successful as the event we have here, which speaks to the dedication of our community for a cleaner and safer environment,” Franks included.

Stillwater’s Household Hazardous Waste Events collected almost 10,500 pounds of waste in 2024, including pesticides, flammable liquids, and oil-based paint.

City Manager Brady Moore shared that continued participation is due to staff dedication throughout the years, efforts to change with the needs of our community, and community support.

“Overall Stillwater has focused on environmental stewardship from City services and department staff to residents and stakeholders,” City Manager Moore included. “I have zero doubts, participation trends will continue moving upward due to the commitment internally and externally. We are grateful for all participation, our staff and city-wide partnerships, and the avid leadership and experience of Matt Faulkner and Chris Franks.”

The Keep Oklahoma Beautiful state affiliated award is based on annual activity and achievements, and the mission of preservation regarding natural beauty and healthy and sustainable environments.

Faulkner and Franks unanimously shared, “We could not have received the award without our community members and friends participating in the annual events and efforts to keep Stillwater clean and beautiful. We didn’t actually win the award; the whole city won this award. We should all be very proud of what we have and continue to accomplish here.”

Stillwater Waste Management Department and Watershed Quality Division leadership and staff were honored for efforts “to help make Oklahoma a healthier, safer, and happier place to live and work.”