Columbus trash & recycling schedule
Trash is picked up weekly; your day depends on your ZIP.
At a glance
| Trash | Weekly wheeled container (most households on color schedule: Gold, Gray, Navy, Pink, or Ruby) Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.gov |
|---|---|
| Curbside | Trash/recycling out by 6:00 a.m. collection day. Trash containers removed by 2:00 p.m. day after; recycling stored within 24 hours after collection. Checklist Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.gov |
| Recycling | Weekly blue cart, same collection location as trash (schedule via PickUp CBUS / 311 — may differ from trash color day). Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.gov |
| Bulk | Contact the city for bulk pickup details. Bulk page Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.gov |
| Hauler | City of Columbus Division of Refuse Collection. |
| Contacts | 311 / (614) 645-3111; [email protected]; Refuse Collection 2100 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43207. Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.gov |
Curbside
Curbside checklist
City rules before collection day. Confirm with the city if anything looks off.
When
Trash/recycling out by 6:00 a.m. collection day. Trash containers removed by 2:00 p.m. day after; recycling stored within 24 hours after collection.
Where
Within 1 ft curb/alley for recycling (arrow out); trash at designated point; ≥3 ft clearance. Bulk at curb or alley line per regular service.
Limits
Yard: biodegradable paper bags or rigid containers marked yard waste; tied branch bundles ≤4 ft long × 2 ft wide (per trash-page yard note).
Not allowed
Yard waste & recyclables in trash; household hazardous waste/chemicals in trash; bulk exclusions (Freon appliances, construction debris, tires, etc.); unscheduled bulk.
Bags
Household trash bagged (plastic bags) then in container. Recyclables loose in blue cart.
Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.gov
Add curbside reminder to Google CalendarFind your pickup day
Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.gov
Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Shift |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day 2026 | 2026-01-01 | — |
| Mlk 2026 | 2026-01-19 | — |
| Presidents Day 2026 | 2026-02-16 | — |
| Memorial Day 2026 | 2026-05-25 | — |
| Juneteenth 2026 | 2026-06-19 | — |
| Independence Day Observed 2026 | 2026-07-03 | — |
| Labor Day 2026 | 2026-09-07 | — |
| Indigenous Peoples Day 2026 | 2026-10-12 | — |
| Veterans Day 2026 | 2026-11-11 | — |
| Thanksgiving 2026 | 2026-11-26 | — |
| Christmas 2026 | 2026-12-25 | — |
Verified 2026-10-15 · columbus.gov
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Full details for Columbus: every rule, with sources
- Trash
- City of Columbus Division of Refuse Collection. Weekly wheeled container (most households on color schedule: Gold, Gray, Navy, Pink, or Ruby) — look up Collection Day / Rotating Color Calendar / PickUp CBUS app. Trash bagged and tied in container (City Code); nothing outside container collected. Out by 6:00 a.m. collection day; remove from collection point by 2:00 p.m. day after. Yard waste not in trash — separate yard program. Missing/damaged City container: 311 (614-645-3111); leave container with property when moving.
- Recycling
- Weekly blue cart, same collection location as trash (schedule via PickUp CBUS / 311 — may differ from trash color day). Accepts: paper/cardboard (flatten); plastic bottles/jugs/tubs/cups (lids OK, remove straws); glass bottles/jars all colors; metal cans/cups (remove aerosol tips); cartons (rinse, lids off). No sorting. Place within 1 ft of curb/alley, arrow out, ≥3 ft from other carts/obstacles; out by 6:00 a.m.; store within 24 hours after collection.
- Bulk pickup
- Contact the city for bulk pickup details.
- Curbside: when
- Trash/recycling out by 6:00 a.m. collection day. Trash containers removed by 2:00 p.m. day after; recycling stored within 24 hours after collection.
- Curbside: where
- Within 1 ft curb/alley for recycling (arrow out); trash at designated point; ≥3 ft clearance. Bulk at curb or alley line per regular service.
- Curbside: limits
- Only bagged trash inside wheeled container. Yard: biodegradable paper bags or rigid containers marked yard waste; tied branch bundles ≤4 ft long × 2 ft wide (per trash-page yard note).
- Curbside: brush
- Yard waste separate — paper bags/rigid marked containers; tied bundles ≤4×2 ft. Not in trash cart.
- Curbside: not allowed
- Yard waste & recyclables in trash; household hazardous waste/chemicals in trash; bulk exclusions (Freon appliances, construction debris, tires, etc.); unscheduled bulk.
- Curbside: bags
- Household trash bagged (plastic bags) then in container. Recyclables loose in blue cart.
- Curbside: fees and fines
- No set-out fine amounts are listed. City code requires containing trash and preventing spills (1303.021 / 705.03 / 707.03).
- Holidays
- New Year's Day 2026 (2026-01-01): shift not yet confirmed
- Mlk 2026 (2026-01-19): shift not yet confirmed
- Presidents Day 2026 (2026-02-16): shift not yet confirmed
- Memorial Day 2026 (2026-05-25): shift not yet confirmed
- Juneteenth 2026 (2026-06-19): shift not yet confirmed
- Independence Day Observed 2026 (2026-07-03): shift not yet confirmed
- Labor Day 2026 (2026-09-07): shift not yet confirmed
- Indigenous Peoples Day 2026 (2026-10-12): shift not yet confirmed
- Veterans Day 2026 (2026-11-11): shift not yet confirmed
- Thanksgiving 2026 (2026-11-26): shift not yet confirmed
- Christmas 2026 (2026-12-25): shift not yet confirmed
Not yet confirmed. Check your city.
- Hauler
- City of Columbus Division of Refuse Collection (Department of Public Service)
- Contacts
- 311 / (614) 645-3111; [email protected]; Refuse Collection 2100 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43207
- Find your day
- Collection Day Lookup / Rotating Color Calendar / PickUp CBUS
- Sources
- Trash and recycling: columbus.gov
Bulk: columbus.gov
Holidays: columbus.gov
Curbside: columbus.gov - 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