The Metropolitan Environmental Trust

What The Metropolitan Environmental Trust does

Founded in 1987 as a committee investigating landfill alternatives, The Metropolitan Environmental Trust (The M.e.t.) is a non-profit governmental trust authority that operates residential recycling infrastructure across the Tulsa, Oklahoma metropolitan area. The organization runs 8 recycling drop-off centers in 7 member communities, accepting aluminum cans, #1 and #2 plastics, glass, paper, oil, antifreeze, batteries, and electronic waste. It coordinates hazardous waste disposal through a voucher program with the City of Tulsa Household Pollutant Collection Facility, provides commercial fluorescent light bulb recycling, runs periodic collection events (tires, e-waste, household hazardous waste, fire extinguishers), and delivers K-12 environmental education programs. The M.e.t. employs 75 people with disabilities to staff and sort at its centers, with day-to-day operations managed in partnership with three workforce-focused non-profits — Show, Inc., A New Leaf, and Home of Hope.

The M.e.t. is funded primarily by 10 member governments — City of Tulsa, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Claremore, Collinsville, Glenpool, Jenks, Owasso, Sand Springs, and Tulsa County — with supplementary revenue from transaction fees on e-waste and commercial light recycling, and charitable donations routed through Friends of The M.e.t., Inc. Most services are free to residents; fees apply only to high-cost disposal items such as televisions ($26) and computer monitors ($10) and to commercial-scale fluorescent bulb recycling (paid online in advance). Distribution occurs through physical drop-off centers, periodic collection events, a Square-based e-commerce payment portal for fee-based items, and educational outreach via classroom presentations, school programs, and an annual Tulsa-area recycling directory. The trust's technology stack is minimal: a Squarespace website, a Square payment site, a Facebook presence, and an email newsletter — there is no proprietary platform, no API, no patents, and no AI/ML components.

Over three decades The M.e.t. has built a stable operational model anchored by intergovernmental funding, a focused regional footprint, and a 25-year America Recycles Day awards program. Strategic activity in recent years has been limited to maintenance restructuring (the Central Tulsa center relocation, the 2015 transition from biannual events to a permanent pollutant facility, the 2023 retirement of long-tenured Office Manager Terrie Hannam) and incremental channel improvements such as the e-commerce payment site. No acquisitions, funding rounds, IPOs, or geographic expansions beyond the Tulsa metro are disclosed.

Name

The Metropolitan Environmental Trust

Legal name

The Metropolitan Environmental Trust

Website

https://metrecycle.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Metropolitan Environmental Trust is a non-profit governmental trust authority that operates 8 recycling centers, hazardous-waste coordination, and environmental education programs across 10 member communities in the Tulsa, Oklahoma metro area, funded by municipal appropriations and staffed primarily by 75 people with disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste Management & Recycling Services

NAICS

Solid Waste Collection (562111), Hazardous Waste Collection (562112), Waste Collection (56211), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Hazardous Waste Management (4955), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Municipal Solid Waste Collection (Residential/Commercial) (IMAIAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Consumer E-waste Collection & Take-Back Programs (EUAIAIAA), Universal Waste Management (Batteries, Lamps, Mercury-Containing) (BPALAHAL), Chemical Hazardous Waste Collection & Transportation (BPALAHAA), Commercial & Office Waste Collection (Non-hazardous) (EUAIAGAA)

Keywords

• Municipal recycling services
• Hazardous waste disposal
• Electronic waste recycling
• Environmental education programs
• Community collection events

Headquarters

HQ city

Tulsa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The M.e.t. operates as a governmental trust authority receiving funding from 10 member governments: City of Tulsa, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Claremore, Collinsville, Glenpool, Jenks, Owasso, Sand Springs, and Tulsa County to operate residential recycling drop-off locations and provide hazardous waste disposal.
2. Service Fees: Fees collected for e-waste disposal, particularly for items with high disposal costs such as televisions and computer monitors. Commercial light bulb recycling also generates fees.
3. Donations: Friends of The M.e.t., Inc. is a charitable organization that provides support for promotion, education, and operations through donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Metropolitan Environmental Trust operates a network of 8 recycling drop-off centers across the Tulsa metropolitan area, providing residential recycling, electronic waste recycling, commercial fluorescent bulb recycling, hazardous waste disposal coordination, and environmental education programs. It is a non-profit governmental trust authority serving 10 member municipalities in the Tulsa region. Its workforce of 75 employees with disabilities staff and sort recyclables at the centers, and the organization also runs periodic community collection events and publishes an annual Tulsa-area recycling directory.

Product overview

The Metropolitan Environmental Trust (The M.e.t.) is a non-profit governmental trust that provides environmental services and education throughout the Tulsa metropolitan area. Rather than a unified technology product, The M.e.t. operates a network of eight recycling drop-off centers, coordinates hazardous waste disposal through a voucher program, runs periodic collection events, and provides environmental education programs. The core services include electronic waste recycling, commercial and residential light recycling, hazardous waste disposal coordination, and community education. The organization publishes an annual Tulsa-area recycling directory as a resource for residents and businesses seeking recycling options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Recycling Drop-Off Centers Eight recycling drop-off centers located throughout the Tulsa metro area (Bixby, Broken Arrow, Claremore, Collinsville, Glenpool, Sand Springs, Central Tulsa, Downtown Tulsa) accepting aluminum cans, #1 and #2 plastic bottles, glass bottles, newspapers, office paper, magazines, motor oil, antifreeze, cooking oil, phone books, and batteries. Targeted to residents of member communities.
• Electronic Waste Recycling E-waste recycling service accepting computers, cameras, phones, printers, and other electronic items at multiple M.e.t. centers. Most items are free; televisions and computer monitors require a fee paid online. Targeted to residents and small businesses.
• Commercial Light Recycling EPA-compliant disposal and recycling service for commercial entities with large quantities of fluorescent bulbs, ballasts, fluorescent tubes, and CFLs. Payment must be made online in advance. Targeted to commercial businesses.
• Residential Light Recycling Guidance and resources for Tulsa residents to properly dispose of residential light bulbs, including compact fluorescent bulbs, through designated collection facilities and partner drop-off at Home Depot and Lowe's stores. Targeted to residents.
• Environmental Education Programs Educational presentations and programs for K-12 students, after-school programs, and summer camps covering recycling, composting, and sustainability through hands-on STEM projects, crafts, and games. Also includes speaker services for community groups and organizations. Targeted to schools, educators, and community groups.
• Collection Events Periodic special collection events throughout the Tulsa metro area for tires, e-waste, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, household hazardous waste, and other hard-to-dispose items. Targeted to residents across the Tulsa region.
• Hazardous Waste Disposal Coordination with the City of Tulsa Household Pollutant Collection Facility for residents of member communities to safely dispose of hazardous household chemicals and waste. A voucher program is available for non-Tulsa residents from member communities. Targeted to residents of member communities.
• Annual Recycling Directory Annual publication listing all local recyclers and companies providing recycling services in the Tulsa metropolitan area, serving as the comprehensive guide for residential and commercial recycling options. Targeted to residents and businesses seeking recycling services in the Tulsa metro area.

Quantifiable outcome

• The M.e.t. employs 75 people with disabilities to staff centers and sort recyclables
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• A New Leaf (Downtown Tulsa)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 March 2014Operates Downtown Tulsa recycling center opened March 2014, accepting various recyclables and e-waste.
• City of TulsacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary member government providing funding and governance. The M.e.t. operates residential recycling drop-off locations and provides hazardous waste disposal for City of Tulsa residents.
• City of Broken ArrowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember government with dedicated recycling center. Curbside recycling program launched in 2020.
• City of BixbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember community with recycling center operating since September 1993.
• City of ClaremorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember community with recycling center operating since November 2010, staffed by Home of Hope.
• City of CollinsvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember community with recycling center operating since December 2007, staffed by A New Leaf.
• City of GlenpoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember community with recycling center operating since April 1994.
• City of JenkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember community receiving recycling services and environmental programs.
• City of OwassocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember community that operates its own recycling center as an affiliate. The M.e.t. promotes the center but does not operate it.
• City of Sand SpringscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember community with recycling center operating since June 1993, staffed by Show, Inc.
• Tulsa CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember government providing funding and governance oversight through Board representation.
• Show, Inc.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNon-profit organization operating several M.e.t. recycling centers including Central Tulsa, Sand Springs, Broken Arrow, and Claremore. Provides employment for people with disabilities.
• A New LeafcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNon-profit organization operating the Downtown Tulsa center and Collinsville center. Provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Home of HopecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNon-profit organization operating the Claremore M.e.t. center since November 2010.
• City of Tulsa Household Pollutant Collection FacilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacility accepting household hazardous waste open Wednesdays and Saturdays. The M.e.t. provides voucher numbers to residents of member communities for access.
• Home DepotminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAccepts compact fluorescent light bulbs (spiral light bulbs) at all Tulsa locations for recycling.
• Lowe's StoresminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAccepts compact fluorescent light bulbs at Tulsa locations including 1525 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa, OK 74112.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)minorOthersEPA recommends recycling fluorescent lamps/tubes containing mercury. The M.e.t. commercial recycling program follows EPA guidelines.
• Friends of The M.e.t., Inc.coreOthersCharitable and educational organization supporting promotion, education, and operations of the Metropolitan Environmental Trust. Board includes Graham Brannin (President), Megan Salyer (Secretary/Treasurer), Michael Patton, Mike Melega, Laura Mock, Julie Monnot, Gary Percefull, Jerry Schuber, and Cindy Spitler.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Clean Earth: Specialty environmental services company providing hazardous waste, universal waste (lamps/batteries), and e-waste recycling treatment and disposal. The M.e.t. already partners with Clean Earth's Tulsa facility for mercury and thermostat recycling, and is comparable as a regulated hazardous and universal waste handler serving the same geography.
• Solid Waste Authority of Central Oklahoma: Governmental trust authority providing solid waste and recycling services to Oklahoma City metro communities. Comparable to The M.e.t. as a multi-government public trust authority operating recycling drop-off sites and household hazardous waste programs in Oklahoma.

Broad incumbents

• Stericycle: National regulated waste services provider offering household hazardous waste take-back, e-waste recycling, and pharmaceutical disposal programs. Comparable to The M.e.t.'s hazardous waste coordination and e-waste services for municipalities and commercial customers, though at national commercial scale.
• Republic Services: Second-largest U.S. solid waste and recycling company operating municipal contracts, residential recycling, and commercial collection nationwide. Comparable to The M.e.t. in serving municipal customers and operating recycling programs, but with national scale and curbside offerings that compete with the trust's drop-off model.
• Waste Management, Inc. Largest North American solid waste and recycling hauler offering residential curbside recycling, commercial collection, and landfill services across the U.S. Comparable to The M.e.t. as a recycling and solid waste services provider, though at vastly larger scale and as a for-profit incumbent offering curbside alternatives to drop-off.
• Veolia North America: Global environmental services firm operating municipal solid waste, recycling, and hazardous waste contracts across North America. Comparable to The M.e.t. as a municipal-facing recycling and waste services provider with hazardous waste capabilities, though at vastly larger geographic and capital scale.
• Casella Waste Systems: Regional solid waste, recycling, and resource management operator serving the Northeastern U.S. Comparable in operating recycling drop-off and collection programs for municipalities, though as a publicly traded for-profit versus The M.e.t.'s governmental trust structure.
• Clean Harbors: Leading North American provider of environmental and hazardous waste services including household hazardous waste collection events. Comparable to The M.e.t.'s hazardous waste disposal coordination and e-waste services, though at much larger commercial scale.

Others

• Keep America Beautiful: National nonprofit focused on litter prevention, recycling education, and community beautification programs. Comparable to The M.e.t. as a mission-driven environmental nonprofit running education and community recycling events, including the national America Recycles Day platform that The M.e.t. operates locally.

Regional players

• Recology: Employee-owned integrated solid waste and recycling hauler serving the Western U.S. with residential curbside recycling, drop-off centers, and educational programs. Comparable to The M.e.t. in operating drop-off recycling centers with strong community engagement and education focus, though on a different regional footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theMETrecycle
• Xx.com/Metrecycle
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-metropolitan-environmental-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Metropolitan Environmental Trust