Columbus Trash Pickup Schedule, Recycling & Bulk 2026
Find your Columbus trash day, weekly recycling schedule, biweekly yard waste week, bulk pickup rules, and holiday delays for 2026.
City of Columbus · Division of Refuse Collection · Updated March 2026
Find Your Columbus Collection Day
Select your collection day to see your full schedule — refuse, recycling, yard waste, and 2026 holiday impact.
👈 Select your day above to see your complete Columbus collection schedule.
⚠ Don’t know your exact day or yard waste zone? Use the City of Columbus Collection Day Lookup to confirm refuse, recycling, and yard waste dates, print a custom calendar, or sign up for reminders. See all contact options ↓
Columbus Waste Collection — Quick Facts
The City of Columbus collects trash for more than 340,000 households using automated trucks. Residential trash containers are emptied once a week. Weekly curbside recycling launched citywide in June 2023, while yard waste is collected biweekly on the same weekday as your trash, based on Zone A or Zone B. Bulk items must be scheduled in advance through 311.
Trash Container & Blue Recycling Cart — How Columbus Collection Works
Columbus uses automated curbside or alley collection. Trash must be bagged and tied before being placed in your household trash container. Recycling is collected weekly in the blue 64-gallon cart, and all recyclables go in the same cart with no sorting required.
Trash Container
Most household trash can go in your regular container, but it must be bagged and tied. Do not place trash around the outside of the container.
Collected weekly by Columbus Refuse Collection.
Weekly • Bagged trash onlyBlue Recycling Cart
Weekly residential recycling collected on the same day as trash. Put paper, cardboard, bottles, cans, jars, cartons, and accepted cups in the same cart.
Collected weekly citywide.
Weekly • Single-stream recycling⏰ Set-Out Rules — Trash & Recycling
- Trash containers must be placed out for collection by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled day.
- Recycling carts must also be out by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.
- Containers must be placed within 1 foot of the curb or alley, with the arrow facing outward for collection.
- Keep recycling and trash carts at least 3 feet apart and away from obstructions.
- After collection, containers must be removed and stored within 24 hours.
Columbus Collection Setup — Curbside or Alley
Columbus service can happen from either the curb or the alley, depending on your property. Trash and recycling must be set out in the same location where your property is normally collected, and bulk items should follow that same rule when scheduled.
📌 Placement Basics
- If your regular trash is picked up at the curb, place bulk items in front of your home away from obstructions on the scheduled collection day.
- If your regular trash is picked up in the alley, place bulk items on the edge of your property at the alley line on the scheduled day.
- For recycling, place the cart in the same location your trash is collected.
- If you do not know your location or day, check the City lookup tool or call (614) 645-3111.
Columbus Recycling Week & Yard Waste Zones
In Columbus, recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your trash. Yard waste is collected on that same weekday too, but only every other week. Residents are assigned to either Zone A or Zone B for yard waste weeks.
🔵 Weekly Recycling
Residential recycling collection occurs every week on the same day as your refuse service.
Columbus expanded from biweekly to weekly recycling starting in June 2023.
🟢 Biweekly Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected on the same weekday as your trash, but only every other week.
Your address is assigned to either Zone A or Zone B. Use the Collection Day Lookup to confirm your exact weeks.
Columbus Holiday Garbage Schedule 2026
Columbus states that during the week of an observed holiday, if your collection day falls on or after the holiday, your collection is delayed one day, with Friday collections moving to Saturday. The City also notes that Good Friday does not affect collection days, and not all residents use the color schedule.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Trash / Recycling / Yard Waste | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1 | 1-Day Delay | If your day falls on or after the holiday |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 19 | 1-Day Delay | Observed holiday week |
| Presidents Day | Mon, Feb 16 | 1-Day Delay | Observed holiday week |
| Good Friday | Fri, Apr 3 | No Delay | City says collection is not affected |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | 1-Day Delay | Observed holiday week |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 19 | 1-Day Delay | Observed holiday week |
| Independence Day (Observed) | Fri, Jul 3 | 1-Day Delay | Observed city holiday week |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | 1-Day Delay | Observed holiday week |
| Indigenous Peoples Day | Mon, Oct 12 | 1-Day Delay | Observed holiday week |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11 | 1-Day Delay | Observed holiday week |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | 1-Day Delay | Friday routes move to Saturday |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | 1-Day Delay | Observed holiday week |
Columbus Blue Cart — What’s Accepted
Columbus uses single-stream recycling. The City says you do not need to sort your recyclables. Put all accepted materials in the blue cart and keep items reasonably clean and empty.
✅ Accepted in the Blue Cart
- Paper and cardboard (please flatten boxes)
- Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and cups
- Glass bottles and jars (all colors accepted)
- Metal cans and cups
- Cartons (rinse and remove lids)
- Lids, caps, and labels can stay on containers
🚫 Never in the Blue Cart
- Plastic bags, wrap, or film
- Batteries, propane tanks, or other flammables
- Tanglers such as hoses, wires, chains, clothing, or electronics
- Foam or plastic food containers
- Dirty or un-rinsed recyclables
- Hazardous materials
🚩 Extra Recycling Help
If you need a second recycling cart, the City says to contact 311. If your recycling cart is missed, damaged, or stolen, report it through the 311 Service Center.
Columbus Yard Waste & Holiday Tree Collection
Columbus partners with Rumpke for biweekly yard waste collection for households that receive City trash collection from containers. Yard waste is collected from the curb and cannot go in the regular trash container.
🌿 Yard Waste Rules
- Yard waste must be placed in paper lawn and leaf bags or in reusable containers marked "Yard Waste".
- Yard waste will not be collected if it is placed in plastic bags.
- Do not put yard waste in your City-provided trash container.
- Small branches should be tied with twine into bundles no larger than 4 feet long and 2 feet around.
- Place yard waste at least 3 feet from refuse containers, hydrants, mailboxes, or trees.
🎄 Holiday Trees
Holiday trees are collected with yard waste, but they must be completely free of all decorations. If taller than 8 feet, the tree must be cut in half before collection.
Columbus Bulky Item Pickup — Schedule via 311
Columbus provides free bulk collection for many items, but nothing will be collected unless you schedule it first through 311 or the online 311 portal. Bulk items include furniture, mattresses, carpet, and non-refrigerant appliances.
📅 How to Schedule Bulk Pickup
- Contact 311 or call (614) 645-3111, or use the online 311 page.
- Describe the items you need collected and wait for your scheduled pickup date.
- If your regular trash is curbside, place bulk items in front of your home away from obstructions on the scheduled day.
- If your regular trash is alley pickup, place bulk items on the edge of your property at the alley line on the scheduled day.
✅ Accepted Bulk Items
- Furniture
- Mattresses
- Carpet
- Non-refrigerant appliances
- Large household items that do not fit in your container
🚫 Not for Bulk Pickup
- Regular bagged trash
- Hazardous waste or chemicals
- Yard waste
- Refrigerant appliances unless properly handled separately
- Items not scheduled through 311
📌 Bulk Prep Tips
- Roll carpet into a bundle no larger than 4 feet long by 2 feet in diameter and tie it with rope.
- Leave furniture assembled.
- Tape exposed glass.
Columbus Waste & Reuse Centers, HHW & Special Disposal
Columbus operates two Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers where residents can drop off bulk items for free. For household hazardous waste, the City directs residents to SWACO, which manages hazardous materials and special collection events.
⏰ Waste & Reuse Convenience Centers
- Alum Creek: 2100 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43207
- Georgesville: 1550 Georgesville Road, Columbus, OH 43228
- Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Bulk items can be dropped off here for free by residents
✅ Better Options for Special Waste
- Household hazardous waste through SWACO
- Bulk items at the Waste and Reuse Centers
- Food scraps at dedicated food waste drop-off locations
- Other recycling options through City and SWACO resources
🚫 Not for Regular Trash
- Pesticides or other chemicals
- Batteries and flammables
- Hazardous liquids or solvents
- Items listed as unacceptable by the City
⚠ Household Hazardous Waste
The City says to contact SWACO for proper hazardous waste disposal. SWACO’s permanent HHW facility is at 645 E. 8th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201 and is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and the first Saturday of the month 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Columbus Food Scrap Drop-Off Program
Columbus offers free food scraps drop-off collection sites for residents. The City says these sites are accessible 24 hours a day, and both Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers also accept food scraps during their business hours.
🌿 How It Works
- Collect food scraps at home in a sealed container.
- Use one of the City or SWACO partner drop-off sites.
- Register to participate and receive program updates, tips, and more.
Accepted materials include fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, coffee grounds, tea without plastic tea bags, eggshells, dairy, small quantities of meat and seafood, and certain BPI-certified compostable products.
📌 City Convenience Center Food Scrap Drop-Off
Both Columbus Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers accept food scraps: 2100 Alum Creek Dr. and 1550 Georgesville Rd., open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
What to Do If Your Trash Wasn’t Collected in Columbus
- Confirm your correct day using the City’s Collection Day Lookup or by calling (614) 645-3111.
- Check for a holiday delay. If your day falls on or after an observed holiday, service may shift by one day.
- Verify proper set-out time: containers must be out by 6:00 a.m..
- Check placement: recycling and trash carts should be properly positioned, spaced, and not blocked.
- Report the issue through 311 if the route has passed and your items were properly prepared and placed.
Columbus Trash & Recycling Tips Every Resident Should Know
🏠 New to Columbus or Just Moved In?
Start with the official Collection Day Lookup. You can confirm your trash day, recycling day, yard waste week, and sign up for telephone, email, or calendar reminders. If your City-provided trash container is missing or damaged, call 311.
🧤 Weekly Recycling Changed Columbus
Columbus moved to weekly residential recycling collection in June 2023. If you still think recycling is biweekly, your schedule is outdated — yard waste is biweekly, but recycling is weekly.
🚫 5 Mistakes Columbus Residents Make
- Putting yard waste in plastic bags instead of paper bags or marked reusable containers
- Placing trash outside the container instead of bagging it and putting it inside
- Forgetting recycling is weekly while yard waste is only biweekly
- Putting plastic bags and film in the blue cart
- Setting out bulk items without scheduling through 311 first
Contact Columbus Refuse Collection & 311
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| 311 / Refuse Collection | Call (614) 645-3111 — collection day lookup, missed pickups, bulk scheduling, missing or damaged containers, and recycling questions |
| Refuse Collection Office | 2100 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43207 |
| Collection Day Lookup | 311.columbus.gov — trash day, recycling day, yard waste zone, custom calendar, and reminders |
| Bulk Collection | Bulk Collection page — schedule bulk pickup and review accepted items |
| Recycling | Columbus Recycling — weekly program info, eligibility, and cart help |
| Waste & Reuse Centers | Alum Creek (2100 Alum Creek Dr.) and Georgesville (1550 Georgesville Rd.) — Tue-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. |
| SWACO HHW | 645 E. 8th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201 · (614) 871-5100 · hazardous waste and special events |
| Food Scrap Program | Food Waste Prevention — drop-off locations and participation info |
Frequently Asked Questions — Columbus Trash Pickup
Still Can’t Find Your Collection Day?
If the Collection Day Finder above hasn’t resolved your question, use the official Columbus lookup. Enter your address to see your exact refuse, recycling, and yard waste schedule, print a personalized calendar, and sign up for reminders.
🔍 Official Columbus Lookup & Contact Options
All of the following are official or City-linked resources for your exact collection schedule and disposal questions:
🔍 Look Up My Schedule 📞 Call 311 — (614) 645-3111| Collection Day Lookup | 311.columbus.gov — refuse, recycling, and yard waste lookup, custom calendar, and reminders |
| Refuse Collection | 2100 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43207 · (614) 645-3111 |
| Bulk Collection | Schedule bulk pickup — bulk items must be arranged before set-out |
| Recycling | Columbus weekly recycling — accepted items, eligibility, and cart questions |
| Special Disposal | Waste and Reuse Centers + SWACO hazardous waste resources for items that do not belong in regular trash or recycling |
You will leave this website when using any of the links above.
Trash & Recycling Schedules for Cities Near Columbus
Looking for waste collection information in another Ohio or Midwest city? Here are five nearby guides: