"Quality People Providing Quality Service"
Recycling in Columbus is easy and convenient.
Our state of the art curbside program has been designed for customer convenience and simplicity. Just place your recyclables in your blue bin and put it out at the curbside on your collection day. No separation is necessary.
Here is how it works:
First call (706) 653-4000 to order a blue bin which will be delivered to your home with instructions at no cost to the customer. Collection is once a week on one of your garbage days. Please refer to the Collection Days page for your recycling day.
Recycling History in Columbus:
In late 1992, the City of Columbus introduced the Recycling Pilot Program. It consisted of four areas with 1,000 homes in each area. The initial purpose of this program was to gather information and determine the best collection method, what material to recycle, what the collection days would be for the different areas and what type container to use for collection.
One year later, thirteen new subdivisions were added to the Pilot Program, as well as a voluntary recycling program outside of the Pilot Program area.
With such success, in 1994, the City of Columbus implemented its voluntary city wide recycling program. Currently, there is an estimated 55% participation rate.
Click here to learn more about what has been collected and the costs of Columbus' Recycling Program.
RECYCLABLE ITEMS COLLECTED:
Paper
Newspaper - Place in a plastic bag so it will not get wet (market will not accept wet papers).
Magazines - Must be glossy (cover & pages). Place in plastic bag with newspaper (market will not accept wet magazines.)
Phone books - Put it in the plastic bag with newspaper and magazines.
Glass
Clear, green and brown glass bottles/jars - please rinse, do not remove labels and discard lids.
Metal Cans
Aluminum cans - please rinse.
Steel/tin cans - please rinse, do not remove labels.
Plastics
Pet #1 - Bottles and jars, please rinse, no need to remove labels, discard lids.
Hdpe #2 - Bottles and jugs, please rinse, no need to remove the labels, discard lids.
* The number 1 or 2 will be on the bottom or towards the bottom of the container inside the recycling triangle.
Automotive Fluids
Motor Oil - Place in an old 1 gallon milk jug, must be pure (no contaminants).
Transmission Fluid - Place in an old 1 gallon milk jug, must be pure (no contaminants).
Anti-Freeze - Put used anti-freeze in the one gallon anti-freeze jug.
* Place the automotive fluids beside your bin for collection. The 1 gallon jugs containing oil or transmission fluid will be left for you to reuse. The one gallon anti-freeze jug will be collected with the anti-freeze.
Cartridges
Ink Cartridges - Computer ink jet cartridges - place in a plastic bag so it can't get wet (market will not accept it if it has been wet).
Copier toner cartridges - place in a plastic bag so it can't get wet (market will not accept it if it has been wet).
Please do not place these items in your bin
- Garbage
- Cardboard
- Food containers (TV dinners/plant containers)
- Yard Waste
- Plastic or paper bags
- Plastic oil containers (containers that had motor oil or cooking oil in them)
- Drinking glasses or window glass
- Aluminum foil (jams sorting machinery)
- Bottle caps or lids