A diverse network of professionals working together to promote education, guide good policy, protect the environment, and advance hazardous waste management practices throughout North America, the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA) is dedicated to pollution prevention, product stewardship, and the safe and cost-effective handling of household hazardous waste. During their September 2024 annual conference, NAHMMA selected Oklahoma City’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (HHWCC) for their prestigious award for Longstanding Program Excellence. Lyndel Gibson, HHWCC’s program supervisor, attended the conference and received the award for Oklahoma City’s facility, which is in its 22nd year of operation.
During discussions with the NAHMMA Awards Committee while being considered for the award, Gibson was asked to provide a fun memory or story about the facility. He recalled an elderly couple that visited the facility, bringing paint, cleaning supplies, and a box of kitchen knives. When asked why they brought the knives, the couple said, ‘They are household items that are hazardous, right?’
Derek Johnson, Environmental Protection Superintendent, provided the Committee with some historical perspective, stating “Oklahoma City’s HHWCC was the first permanent facility of its kind in the State of Oklahoma. This required establishing precedence regarding the regulatory oversight of the facility and modifications to State Statute and other governing rules, paving the way forward for other municipalities.”
Oklahoma City residents, along with residents of other communities with memorandums of understanding in place, can drop off unwanted household hazardous items Tuesday – Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to the Collection Center, conveniently located at 1621 S. Portland Avenue. Commonly accepted items include antifreeze, batteries, fuel, oils, lawn chemicals, and paint. For a full list of eligible wastes, be sure to visit their website. As a reminder, never pour chemicals into a single container - be sure to leave them in their original packaging for identification and segregation.
Watch this short video to see what to expect when you visit.
While the HHWCC has the award-winning permanent facility open year-round, they also provide opportunities for Oklahoma City Home Owners and Neighborhood Associations to schedule collection events for their neighborhoods. These events require preauthorization, so be sure to call the HHWCC office for more information at (405) 682-7038.
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Oklahoma City’s Parks and Recreation Adventure Camp offers an exciting week of outdoor fun and learning, with a special environmental highlight thanks to the partnership with the Storm Water Quality Management Division. For one impactful day during the camp, Storm Water Quality Management Division staff join campers to lead hands-on activities that emphasize the importance of protecting local waterways and properly managing stormwater runoff.
This dedicated day immerses campers in interactive lessons about how stormwater pollution affects both ecosystems and communities. Through engaging projects like fish and insect collections, pollution prevention demonstrations, and watershed explorations, campers learn practical ways to reduce polluted runoff and safeguard water quality. The Storm Water Quality Management team’s involvement brings specialized knowledge and real-world science directly to the kids, enriching their experience with critical environmental education.
By integrating this environmentally-focused day into the broader camp schedule, Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation fosters both adventure and stewardship. This collaboration empowers young campers to understand water conservation efforts, nurturing a generation committed to keeping OKC a healthy place to live.
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Environmentally Friendly Fertilizer, Herbicide and Pesticide Application
- Feed your lawn what it needs, only during active growing seasons. To know what fertilizer is needed, have your soil tested.
- For all products, follow the label's instructions for application.
- Don't over-apply. More is not better, and could harm the environment or your lawn.
- Only apply products when rainfall is not expected for at least 48 hours.
- If needed, manually water to prevent product loss from excess runoff.
Do's and Don'ts to Protect The Environment
- DO let your lawn go without water during short, dry spells. Grasses are especially resilient and may become dormant for short periods of time between rainy periods.
- DO use rainfall to water lawn and landscape. Most areas receive enough rainfall to support plant growth without supplemental watering or the use of lawn sprinklers.
- DO collect rainfall into a rain barrel or cistern for use during dry periods.
- DO prevent soil erosion by leaving a strip of un-mowed, unfertilized land next to any water's edge.
- DON'T dump clippings or waste into sewers or waterways, or onto hard surfaces.
- DON'T forget to sweep clippings, leaves and excess product back onto your lawn.
- DON'T neglect to make the best use of your home's gutters. Redirect downspouts to water lawns, gardens, and to fill rain barrels.
- DON'T water before forecasted rain. Also remember to turn off automatic sprinkler systems during rainy periods.
Ready to rain in some real change? Join a wave of passionate people making a difference in our streams, lakes, and waterways—one drop at a time. Our Storm Water Quality Volunteer Newsletter is your backstage pass to the world of water wisdom, pollution prevention, and community action.
Why Subscribe? Because you care about what goes down the drain—literally! Our monthly newsletter is packed with everything from storm drain stardom to watershed successes. We’ll spill the tea (but never the toxins) on:
- Volunteer opportunities that make a real splash
- Tips to keep pollutants out of our waterways
- Spotlight stories on everyday eco-heroes (like you!)
Be the Solution to Runoff Pollution Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or just testing the waters, our newsletter has something for everyone. It’s the easiest way to stay plugged in without getting soaked in jargon.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today and let your love of clean water flow freely. You’ll be the first to know about opportunities to get involved, and you might even have some ripple effects in your community.
Buck Pearson has been employed with the Storm Water Quality Management Division for 19 years. He currently works as the Environmental Unit Supervisor for the Industrial Permitting & Auditing Section. During his time with Storm Quality, Buck has also worked at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center and in the Environmental section of Storm Water Quality.
Buck spends his free time hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors.
Interesting Fact: Buck has 25 nieces and nephews.
Advice to New Hires: The City is a great place to work and there are many opportunities to grow in your career.
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Based on the findings from the citywide fee study conducted by MGT of America
Consulting LLC, the Public Works staff assessed the consultant's suggested
adjustments for their reasonableness, consistency, and potential impact on city residents
and businesses. The department proposed fee adjustments that were considerably lower
than those recommended in the consultant's report, suggesting a phased
implementation over two years. This ordinance revision was submitted to the City
Council for introduction on April 30, 2024, followed by a public hearing on May 7,
2024, and received approval on May 21, 2024.
- Seventy-five percent of the fee adjustment went into effect on July 1, 2024.
- The remaining twenty-five percent of the fee increase is set to be implemented on
July 1, 2025.
Please refer to the details below for the fee adjustments. For questions, please contact the Public Works Technical Review team at PWTechreview@okc.gov.
The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (HHWCC) will be closed for equipment/facility maintenance and staff training on the following Fridays in 2025:
Looking for a way to get involved, learn something new, or just have some fun? The Storm Water Quality Outreach team has a jam-packed schedule of public outreach events this summer, and we want you to be part of the action.
From interactive workshops and youth events to community festivals, there’s something for everyone. Mark your calendars and come see us at these upcoming events:
For more details about these events, contact Storm Water Outreach at (405) 297-1797 or StormWaterOutreach@okc.gov.
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The City of Oklahoma City launched its redesigned website, okc.gov, making it easier for residents to quickly access the services and information they are seeking - from finding a City job to adopting pets in as few clicks as possible.
“From the start of this project, the goal was to get people to our services quickly and provide clear, concise and easy-to-navigate information,” Communications and Marketing Manager Zach Nash said. “Our decisions, especially where information landed, were driven by data and input from residents and users.”
Service highlights:
The City also launched a new OKC Connect app for reporting non-emergency issues to the City's Action Center.
People can check out okc.gov on any device and download the new OKC Connect app for their Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.
"We hope this new site creates opportunities to be better informed about and engage with local government," Nash added. "This launch isn't the finish line, it's the beginning of an ongoing conversation with our community, focused on listening, learning and continuously improving our digital city hall."
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