Columbus Trash & Recycling Pickup Schedule (2025)
Complete guide for Columbus, OH: weekly trash, weekly recycling, biweekly yard waste (Zone A/B), bulk pickup via 311, holiday changes, drop-off options, and how to report missed service.
Updated:
Trash
Weekly, 6 a.m.–6 p.m. set-out window. Many homes follow a rotating color schedule that shifts after holidays. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Recycling (Blue Cart)
Weekly curbside (same day as trash). Keep items empty, dry and loose in the city-issued 64-gal blue cart. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Yard Waste
Biweekly on your collection day — you’re assigned to Zone A or Zone B. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
📍 Address Lookup (Official) & App
Use the City’s tools to see your exact trash, recycling and yard-waste days, print calendars, and get reminders. The PickUp CBUS app also includes a Waste Wizard for “what goes where.” :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Find My Collection Day — City of Columbus
2025 route update: Columbus rebalanced trash days starting the week of Sept 1–2, 2025; recycling & yard-waste schedules were unchanged. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
🗓️ Weekly Pickup & Set-out Rules
- Set-out time: place carts by 6:00 a.m. on pickup day; remove by 2:00 p.m. the following day. Service runs 6 a.m.–6 p.m. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- Placement: at curb or alley with **3 ft** clearance; lids must close; keep carts spaced from obstacles. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Frequencies: trash weekly; recycling weekly; yard waste biweekly (A/B). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Cart size: city-issued 64-gal blue recycling cart; additional carts available to order. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- Rotating color zones: many addresses follow Navy, Pink, Ruby, Gold, or Gray; color advances one day after each observed holiday. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
♻️ Recycling — Accepted & Not Accepted
Accepted (Blue Cart)
- Paper & cardboard (flatten)
- Glass bottles & jars
- Metal cans (aluminum/steel)
- Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs & cups
- Cartons (juice, soup)
Not Accepted
- Plastic bags/film; tanglers (hoses, wires, chains, clothing)
- Batteries or propane tanks
- Food, liquids or dirty containers
- Foam food containers/plates
City “How to Recycle” and regional Recycle Right guidance align on these categories. Keep items **empty, dry & loose** (no bagged recyclables). :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
🌿 Yard Waste (Biweekly A/B) & Set-out Rules
- Biweekly on your collection day; you’re assigned to Zone A or Zone B (see map/calendar). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- Use biodegradable paper yard bags (≤40 lb), bundled branches tied with twine (bundles < 2 ft wide; branches ≤ 4″ diameter). Place at curb ≥3 ft from carts/obstructions. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
📦 Bulk Pickup (Schedule via 311)
- Free bulk pickup must be scheduled via Columbus 311 (online/app/phone). Place items at curb only after receiving your confirmed date. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
- Drop-off alternative: two Waste & Reuse Convenience Centers accept furniture, scrap, electronics, food scraps, clothing and more (see below). :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
🏗️ Waste & Reuse Convenience Centers (Drop-off)
| Site | Address / Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alum Creek Convenience Center | 2100 Alum Creek Dr., Columbus, OH — Tue–Sat, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Accepts trash, recycling (paper/cardboard; plastics bottles/jugs/tubs/cups; glass; metals; cartons), electronics, food scraps, textiles & more. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15} |
| Georgesville Convenience Center | 1550 Georgesville Rd., Columbus, OH — Tue–Sat, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Second city site (opened 2024) to divert bulky items for reuse/recycling; same hours. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16} |
| SWACO Recycling Convenience Center | 2566 Jackson Pike — open hours posted by SWACO | Regional site for hard-to-recycle items (foam blocks, batteries, appliances, food scraps, etc.). :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17} |
🎉 Holiday Schedule
- Trash observes multiple city holidays (New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas). If your day falls on/after a holiday, service moves one day later that week. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
- Recycling remains weekly; yard waste keeps A/B cadence — check your calendar. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
🚚 Missed Pickup — What to Do
- Recheck set-out time (by 6:00 a.m.), placement and lids closed; confirm no prohibited items. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
- If still missed, report via Columbus 311 (leave materials at curb). :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
📞 Contacts (City of Columbus)
- Refuse Collection (Public Service): program overview & links. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
- Customer service / 311: (614) 645-3111 · online requests · PickUp CBUS app. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
- Waste & Reuse Centers: 2100 Alum Creek Dr. and 1550 Georgesville Rd. — Tue–Sat 10–6. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
🔗 Data Sources
- Find My Collection Day & FAQs (trash weekly; recycling weekly; yard A/B) :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
- Rotating Holiday & Yard Waste Calendars :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
- How to Recycle (accepted/not accepted) :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
- Recycle Right (Franklin County) :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
- Schedule Bulk via Columbus 311 :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}
- Convenience Centers — Accepted Items (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}
- News: second Convenience Center (Georgesville Rd.) :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
- SWACO Recycling Convenience Center :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}