Keep Oklahoma Beautiful recognizes Stillwater’s commitment to sustainability and clean communities

At the 34th Annual Environmental Excellence Celebration, the City of Stillwater was honored with the Affiliate of the Year award by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful. This recognition celebrated the efforts of the Waste Management Department and Watershed Quality Division, commending their dedication to cleanup initiatives, community engagement and exceptional service and structure. 

The award, based on annual activities and achievements, reflects the city’s commitment to preserving natural beauty and promoting healthy, sustainable environments as a part of the Greater Oklahoma City region. 

“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.” 

Stillwater’s key programs, such as the annual Trash-Off Event, the annual Household Hazardous Waste program, Street Sweeper Service, Convenience Collection Center and trash and recycling collections, have earned statewide recognition. 

This year, the city achieved new milestones, including hosting its first-ever Recycling Festival in partnership with Oklahoma State University Extension and serving as the venue for the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Winter Workshop. 

Watershed Quality Specialist Chris Franks emphasized how community involvement makes a significant difference in city appearance. “We have many citizen groups who help throughout the year in addition to our annual Trash-Off Event,” Franks said. “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.” 

One of the city’s most popular initiatives, the Trash-Off Event, has seen over 31 tons of trash collected by hand since 2020. In 2024 alone, the annual Household Hazardous Waste Event collected nearly 10,500 pounds of hazardous materials, including pesticides, flammable liquids and oil-based paints. 

In Fiscal Year 2024, the street sweeper service collected 5,432 cubic yards of debris and swept 12,898 lane miles, while the Convenience Collection Center processed more than 387 tons of recycling, 408 tons of trash and 478 tons of yard waste. 

Stillwater’s Affiliate of the Year award reflects its strong commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation. Through effective waste management programs and community involvement, the city continues to improve the quality of life for its residents.