M.e.t. celebrates 25 years in BA

For 25 years, the Metropolitan Environmental Trust (M.e.t.) has been a vital part of the City of Broken Arrow's recycling program.

The M.e.t. partners with member communities to develop, deliver, and support environmental programs and services, and educates citizens on sound environmental practices.

Jerry Schuber, City of Broken Arrow Director of Solid Waste and Recycling, says the M.e.t.'s Broken Arrow location, at 302 N. Elm Pl., is one of the most successful in the entire system.

"I took a look at all the material that has been collected to gauge how successful the M.e.t. has been," Schuber said." We have actually collected about 33 million pounds of materials throughout those 25 years."

To be more specific, over the last 25 years of operation in Broken Arrow, the M.e.t. has received the following materials at its site:

• 7.5 million pounds of cardboard
• 2.5 million pounds of plastic
• 5.5 million pounds of glass
• 943,033 pounds of aluminum
• 9.3 million pounds of newspaper
• 436,260 pounds of batteries
• 4.4 million pounds of mixed paper
• 1.9 million pounds of scrap metal/steel cans
• 19,304 gallons of antifreeze
• 213,804 gallons of motor oil
• 746,674 pounds of E-waste

Without the M.e.t., a majority of this material would have ended up in the landfills.

"When you start looking at the efforts of our citizens, this is citizen-driven, and recycling matters in this community," Schuber said. "Even with us also doing curbside recycling in the last few years, the M.e.t. still has a great deal of effort put into it."

The M.e.t. also partners with the city and Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful on the bi-annual Trash Bash & Recycling Rally. Since 2021, more than 31 tons of waste have been recycled that would have otherwise been thrown in the trash, often unsafely. This event not only provides a solution for the disposal of special items, such as tires, medical sharps, and medications, but also assists the community with paper shredding and litter cleanup. Over seven tons of litter have been collected during these events.

The next Trash Bash & Recycling Rally will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11. The recycling drop-off will take place at 1700 W. Detroit St. from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Go to the Trash Bash & Recycling Rally page for more information on volunteering and recycling.

In celebration of the M.e.t.'s 25th anniversary, Schuber said the city gave the M.e.t. facility a facelift.

The City of Broken Arrow owns the facility that houses the M.e.t. Prior to the M.e.t., it served as a public works building.

"We repainted it, cleaned up the fence line, put a new sign out, trimmed trees, and moved a bunch of materials," Schuber said. "We put some effort into it."

Schuber and his team also hung a new banner at the entrance of the facility celebrating 25 years of the M.e.t.

The M.e.t. is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.