Stillwater Plans to Streamline Downtown Trash Collection
City aims to reduce low-volume dumpsters from 51 to 30, increase pickup frequency to address overflow and cleanliness issues
Stillwater Utilities Authority
Stillwater's Waste Management Department presented a comprehensive plan to overhaul trash collection in the downtown corridor, proposing to reduce the number of dumpsters while significantly increasing collection frequency for most businesses.
The plan targets the area between 6th and 10th Avenues from Husband Street to Lewis Street, where 118 customers currently use 71 dumpsters. Waste Management Director Matt Faulkner outlined the proposal during the Aug. 18 Stillwater Utilities Authority meeting.
"Although there are a lot of dumpsters, 71 in total, in this corridor, over half of them are only serviced one day a week," Faulkner said. "And that's a problem because we run into the issue of smell, overloaded dumpsters."
The proposal would reduce low-volume dumpsters from 51 to 30 while increasing collection frequency to three times per week. These shared dumpsters would be clearly labeled and available to all qualifying businesses.
"This should help reduce the dumpster assignment confusion as they'll just be able to go out and know they can utilize this dumpster," Faulkner explained. "If it may be full, another one that's labeled will be more than acceptable."
The plan classifies downtown businesses into two categories. Low-volume customers, numbering 105, would transition to the shared dumpster system. High-volume customers, primarily restaurants and hospitality businesses, would retain their individual dumpsters and current service schedules.
Faulkner emphasized that the plan focuses specifically on low-volume customers who experience the most significant impacts from current service limitations. High-volume businesses would see no changes to their existing arrangements beyond having their dumpsters clearly labeled.
Current problems in the downtown area include dumpster assignment confusion, billing discrepancies, and overcrowding in alleys. Faulkner noted that one alley section creates difficulties for delivery trucks and waste collection vehicles.
"In one section in particular, we have 17 dumpsters. And as soon as you enter the alley, there's a dumpster, and it's just a line until you get through there," Faulkner said.
The plan also addresses illegal dumping and scavenging issues that plague the area due to the high number of publicly accessible dumpsters and infrequent collection schedules.
Under the new system, low-volume customers would pay a single monthly fee instead of the current varied pricing structure. Faulkner presented example rates of $40.57 per month for fiscal year 2026, increasing to $55.20 per month by fiscal year 2030.
Trustee Christie Hawkins inquired about the financial impact of the proposed rates. "In terms of projected revenue, is it a hold harmless kind of thing from a revenue perspective or do we make a little or do we lose a little?"
Faulkner responded that the rates were developed using recommendations from the city's rate study consultant. "These rates are across the board for what a 32 yard dumpster service, three days we divided by the current customer. So we would be about breaking even right where we would need to be."
The enhanced service would increase weekly collection volume from 134 cubic yards to 180 cubic yards, representing a 46 cubic yard weekly increase for low-volume customers.
"That increase in frequency and yardage collected will actually be an enhancement to the current services that they have," Faulkner said. "So we'll be there more often to clean up around dumpsters, to dump dumpsters, empty them, reduce the impacts of smell and overloading."
A message from Visit Stillwater
Itβs fair season! Head to the Payne County Free Fair for livestock shows, tractor pulls, carnival rides, and all the fair food you can handle.
The plan also includes replacing current cardboard recycling dumpsters with new blue containers featuring yellow, locked lids. These containers would have slotted tops allowing cardboard insertion while preventing unauthorized access to the full opening.
"These yellow lids will be locked, and only waste management will have access to open the full lid," Faulkner explained. "However, the lids will have a slotted top so cardboard can be broken down and placed in there."
Hawkins also asked about walking distances for businesses under the new system. Faulkner assured that the spacing would remain reasonable.
"We will be able to evenly distribute these out where you shouldn't have much more of a walk than you do now," he said, noting that in the alley with 17 current dumpsters, the plan would reduce that number to nine while maintaining adequate spacing.
The presentation was for discussion purposes only, with no formal action taken. Faulkner indicated that specific rate recommendations would return to the utilities authority during future comprehensive waste management fee discussions.
The plan represents Stillwater's effort to modernize downtown waste collection while addressing long standing issues with service quality, alley appearance, and operational efficiency in the city's core business district.
πΊ Watch the downtown dumpster presentation
Members Discussion