Starting the week of September 1, 2025, the City of Columbus Division of Refuse Collection will launch new trash collection schedules for households that get weekly city pickup service. Approximately one-half of Columbus households serviced by Refuse Collection will see a change in their collection day and collection color.
The citywide rebalancing of the trash collection routes will address the growing number of Columbus households while increasing efficiencies in servicing households citywide for weekly residential trash pickup. Rebalancing will not affect residents’ regular collection schedules for recycling and yard waste pickup.
1. Why is the City of Columbus changing trash collection schedules?
· As Columbus has grown, the city’s trash collection routes have become increasingly unbalanced among Refuse Collection’s three refuse transfer stations where our trash trucks are based. To address this and ensure optimal efficiencies and customer service, refuse truck routes are being adjusted for a more balanced number of collection routes per station service area.
2. When does the new trash collection schedule start?
· The new schedule will start Sept. 2, 2025, following the Labor Day holiday on Sept. 1 when no city trash collection service is provided.
3. Will the new collection schedule impact me?
· Approximately half of single-family households serviced by City of Columbus trash pickup will see a change in their collection day and color.
4. How can I find my new trash collection schedule?
5. Download the free PickUp CBUS smartphone app now on the App Store or Google Play to get your trash collection day, recycling and yard waste collection day and convenient reminder notifications. PickUp CBUS also has a Waste Wizard feature to search if items are recyclable and acceptable to place in your blue recycling cart.
6. Are there other ways to find my new trash collection schedule?
· Starting Sept. 1, you can check Refuse Collection’s website to see if you have a new collection day and color. You may use the Collection Day Lookup or Rotating Color Calendar tools at www.columbus.gov/trash to find your trash, recycling and yard waste days. Nearly all city households are assigned a color that corresponds to their trash collection day—Gold, Gray, Navy, Pink or Ruby.
· Residents may also call their color to get their collection day. For example, if your color is Gold, you may call 614-645-GOLD (4653) for an automated message about your upcoming collection days. Use the same 645 prefix to call the other colors, too.
7. Do holidays impact collection?
· There is no trash collection on these city-observed holidays. Your trash collection day moves forward one day after each holiday.
o New Year's Day
o Martin Luther King Jr. Day
o Presidents Day
o Memorial Day
o Juneteenth
o Independence Day
o Labor Day
o Indigenous Peoples Day
o Veterans Day
o Thanksgiving Day
o Christmas Day
8. Does the trash collection rebalancing impact recycling and yard waste schedules?
· No, recycling and yard waste collection schedules will remain unchanged. You can find your recycling and yard waste collection schedules by using the PickUP CBUS app, or the Collection Day Lookup or Rotating Color Calendar tools at www.columbus.gov/trash.
9. Will my pickup location change?
· No, the current location where your trash is collected, either at the curb or in the alley, will remain the same.
10. Will collection time change?
· Collection times will vary but be within 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. operations. Your trash container must be placed at your collection location no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before collection and be pulled back to your property by 2 p.m. the day after.
11. What if I have an exemption collection?
· Your collection schedule may change, and residents will be notified individually. If you are elderly or have a physical limitation and do not have a neighbor, relative or friend available to help you, please apply for our Exemption Service. Contact the 311 Service Center at https://www.columbus.gov/311-Customer-Service-Center or 614-645-3111, and we will send you a questionnaire and a doctor's statement to fill out and return. Click on this link to download the form.
12. How do I schedule bulk collection?
· Bulk collection is a free Refuse Collection service that must be scheduled by contacting 311 at https://www.columbus.gov/311-Customer-Service-Center or 614-645-3111.
13. What happens if my trash is not picked up?
· If your container was not serviced, it may be due to the container being placed out after 6 a.m. on your collection day or set in the wrong location; it contained prohibited materials; a parked car blocked adequate access for the refuse truck. Please contact 311 at https://www.columbus.gov/311-Customer-Service-Center or 614- 645-3111, and we will make an effort to service your container and prevent future issues. Please provide 311 with your name, address and email or phone number.
14. How do I get a replacement container or fix a damaged one?
· If your city-issued trash container is missing, stolen, vandalized or defaced, or is damaged during collection or from normal wear and tear, contact 311 at https://www.columbus.gov/311-Customer-Service-Center or 614- 645-3111. Please have the serial number located on the side of your container ready. The container assigned to your address is city property and printed with your household address. If you move, leave the container on the property in a secure place.
15. Does Refuse Collection offer other services to collect acceptable household waste?
· The Refuse Collection Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers offer free drop-off collection of acceptable household waste, recyclables, food scraps, yard waste, clothes, furniture, bicycles, bulk waste and select electronics. The Convenience Centers, located at 2100 Alum Creek Dr. and 1550 Georgesville Rd., are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.