Columbus trash & recycling schedule
Trash is picked up weekly; your day depends on your ZIP.
At a glance
| Trash | Weekly automated trash toter (one free per household on utility bill; size change $30 one-time; extra toter $5–$9/mo by size). Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.in.gov |
|---|---|
| Curbside | Toters out by 7:00 a.m. collection day; not more than 24 hours before; return within 24 hours after. Checklist Source: Not yet confirmed |
| Recycling | Columbus Recycles — biweekly same day as trash (A or B week on lid). Opt-in; 96-gal recycle toter free; 64/48-gal $30 one-time. Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.in.gov |
| Bulk | Special/bulky pickup via Sanitation (request through Columbus Collects/Waste Wizard or ). Armful of small limbs may go in trash toter weekly. Bulk page Source: Not yet confirmed |
| Hauler | City of Columbus Sanitation Department. |
| Contacts | 812-376-2509 (Sanitation/Recycles); 2250 Kreutzer Dr. Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.in.gov |
Curbside
Curbside checklist
City rules before collection day. Confirm with the city if anything looks off.
When
Toters out by 7:00 a.m. collection day; not more than 24 hours before; return within 24 hours after.
Where
Lid opening toward street; ≥2 ft between toters; clear mailboxes/fences/limbs; no parking blocking toters.
Limits
One standard trash toter included; overflow requires special pickup.
Not allowed
Prohibited: lead-acid batteries, propane tanks, move-out piles (>20 bags), motor oil, tires, wet paint, household hazardous waste, construction debris (per Trash Guidelines).
Bags
Trash bagged in toter; cold ashes/sawdust bagged/tied; needles in rigid lidded container.
Source: Not yet confirmed
Add curbside reminder to Google CalendarFind your pickup day
Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.in.gov
Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Shift |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2026 | 2026-01-01 | — |
| Memorial Day 2026 | 2026-05-25 | — |
| Independence Day 2026 | 2026-07-04 | — |
| Labor Day 2026 | 2026-09-07 | — |
| Thanksgiving 2026 | 2026-11-26 | — |
| Christmas 2026 | 2026-12-25 | — |
When New Year’s, Memorial, Independence, Labor, Thanksgiving, or Christmas observed weekday, collections run one day behind (Fri→Sat).
Private junk pickup
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Full details for Columbus: every rule, with sources
- Trash
- City Sanitation (Public Works). Weekly automated trash toter (one free per household on utility bill; size change $30 one-time; extra toter $5–$9/mo by size). All trash bagged in toter; nothing outside toter. Special pickup for items not fitting toter. Day/week via Columbus Collects calendar/app/Waste Wizard — 812-376-2509.
- Recycling
- Columbus Recycles — biweekly same day as trash (A or B week on lid). Opt-in; 96-gal recycle toter free; 64/48-gal $30 one-time. Loose single-stream — no sort/bag. One recycle toter/household.
- Bulk pickup
- Special/bulky pickup via Sanitation (request through Columbus Collects/Waste Wizard or 812-376-2509). Armful of small limbs may go in trash toter weekly per guidelines.
- Curbside: when
- Toters out by 7:00 a.m. collection day; not more than 24 hours before; return within 24 hours after.
- Curbside: where
- Lid opening toward street; ≥2 ft between toters; clear mailboxes/fences/limbs; no parking blocking toters.
- Curbside: limits
- One standard trash toter included; overflow requires special pickup.
- Curbside: brush
- Yard waste and brush same day as trash (weekly yard toter program); details on yard waste pages via Columbus Collects.
- Curbside: not allowed
- Prohibited: lead-acid batteries, propane tanks, move-out piles (>20 bags), motor oil, tires, wet paint, household hazardous waste, construction debris (per Trash Guidelines).
- Curbside: bags
- Trash bagged in toter; cold ashes/sawdust bagged/tied; needles in rigid lidded container.
- Curbside: fees and fines
- Unclean collection area may → sanitation letter and possible fine (Trash Guidelines).
- Holidays
- New Year's Day 2026 (2026-01-01): shift not yet confirmed
- Memorial Day 2026 (2026-05-25): shift not yet confirmed
- Independence Day 2026 (2026-07-04): shift not yet confirmed
- Labor Day 2026 (2026-09-07): shift not yet confirmed
- Thanksgiving 2026 (2026-11-26): shift not yet confirmed
- Christmas 2026 (2026-12-25): shift not yet confirmed
When New Year’s, Memorial, Independence, Labor, Thanksgiving, or Christmas observed weekday, collections run one day behind (Fri→Sat); recycle same pattern on A/B week calendar PDF.
- Hauler
- City of Columbus Sanitation Department
- Contacts
- 812-376-2509 (Sanitation/Recycles); 2250 Kreutzer Dr
- Find your day
- Columbus Collects / Waste Wizard
- Sources
- Trash and recycling: columbus.in.gov
Bulk: Not yet confirmed
Holidays: Not yet confirmed
Curbside: Not yet confirmed - Verified
- 2026-10-15
Town Rulebook is independent and not affiliated with any city or hauler. Schedules change — always confirm with your city. About & disclaimer