Columbus Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
Columbus recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
Accepted items
- Paper and cardboard (flattened boxes, office paper, mail, newspapers, magazines)
- Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and cups (empty and dry; lids accepted, straws removed)
- Glass bottles and jars (all colors accepted; rinsed clean)
- Metal cans and cups (aluminum beverage cans, steel food cans; remove aerosol tips)
- Cartons (milk, juice, and broth cartons; rinse and remove lids)
Prohibited items
- Plastic bags, plastic film, and plastic wrap (take to grocery store drop-offs)
- Batteries, propane tanks, and flammable materials (bring to household hazardous waste)
- Tanglers (hoses, wires, cables, chains, clothing, or electronics)
- Plastic or foam products (Styrofoam cups, plates, meat trays, takeout food containers)
Can you recycle these items in Columbus?
Can you recycle cardboard in Columbus?
AcceptedFlatten all boxes and place loosely inside the blue recycling cart.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in Columbus?
Accepted with conditionsClean, unsoiled cardboard sections can be recycled; grease-stained or food-soiled cardboard belongs in regular trash.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in Columbus?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse clean plastic bottles and jugs; replace lids.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in Columbus?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse clean milk jugs, detergent containers, and bottles; replace lids.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in Columbus?
AcceptedClean rigid plastic containers accepted.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in Columbus?
Accepted with conditionsRigid plastic containers accepted; plastic grocery bags and film wraps are prohibited from the curbside cart.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in Columbus?
AcceptedClean yogurt tubs, margarine tubs, and condiment bottles accepted.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in Columbus?
Not acceptedPolystyrene and foam products (Styrofoam cups, food containers, packaging blocks) are prohibited.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in Columbus?
AcceptedClean rigid plastic #7 containers and cups accepted.
Can you recycle glass in Columbus?
AcceptedRinse glass bottles and jars clean; all colors accepted; remove caps.
Can you recycle aluminum in Columbus?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse aluminum beverage cans, metal food cans, and cups; remove aerosol tips.
Can you recycle shredded paper in Columbus?
Not acceptedShredded paper is prohibited in curbside recycling carts; drop off at specialized paper drop-off sites or compost.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Columbus Department of Public Service, Division of Refuse Collection · municipal dpw
Phone: 614-645-3111
2100 Alum Creek DrColumbus, OH 43207
These collection rules cover Zone Rotating Color Collection Routes (Gold, Gray, Navy, Pink, Ruby).
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Columbus, OH?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Refuse containers must be placed out for collection by 6:00 am on your scheduled day of collection and removed by 2:00 pm on the day following collection.. These rules apply to Zone Rotating Color Collection Routes (Gold, Gray, Navy, Pink, Ruby).
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Columbus?
As of 2026-09-23: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Rotating Color Collection Routes (Gold, Gray, Navy, Pink, Ruby).
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Columbus?
Free bulk collection must be scheduled online through 311 or by calling (614) 645-3111; items must be placed at the collection location by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled appointment date. The listed limit is 5 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 614-645-3111 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Rotating Color Collection Routes (Gold, Gray, Navy, Pink, Ruby).
What items are accepted for recycling in Columbus?
The listed accepted materials are Paper and cardboard (flattened boxes, office paper, mail, newspapers, magazines), Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and cups (empty and dry; lids accepted, straws removed), Glass bottles and jars (all colors accepted; rinsed clean), Metal cans and cups (aluminum beverage cans, steel food cans; remove aerosol tips), Cartons (milk, juice, and broth cartons; rinse and remove lids). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags, plastic film, and plastic wrap (take to grocery store drop-offs), Batteries, propane tanks, and flammable materials (bring to household hazardous waste), Tanglers (hoses, wires, cables, chains, clothing, or electronics), Plastic or foam products (Styrofoam cups, plates, meat trays, takeout food containers). Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Rotating Color Collection Routes (Gold, Gray, Navy, Pink, Ruby).