Columbus trash & bulky-item rules

Columbus provides free residential bulk collection, but no unscheduled bulk items will be collected. Residents must contact Columbus 311 online or at 614-645-3111 and receive a specially scheduled collection date before setting items out.

For curb collection, place the confirmed items in front of the home away from obstructions. For alley collection, place them at the edge of the property along the alley on the scheduled date.

The City accepts furniture, mattresses, carpet and qualifying non-refrigerant appliances. Furniture should remain assembled. Carpet must be rolled, tied and prepared in bundles no larger than about 4 feet long by 2 feet in diameter.

Glass associated with an accepted item must be taped, and the resident is responsible for cleaning any broken-glass residue left after collection.

Dishwashers, washing machines and other non-refrigerant appliances can qualify. Refrigerant-containing appliances do not: Columbus specifically excludes refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, water coolers and air conditioners.

Auto parts and tires are also excluded, as are excavating/building materials, furnaces, pianos, spas, hot tubs, pool tables and hazardous, flammable or explosive material. Those items need another approved disposal route.

Columbus operates two drive-up Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers for Columbus residents: 2100 Alum Creek Drive and 1550 Georgesville Road. Current City hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m..

Residents can drop off qualifying bulk material there free. The centers also handle multiple reuse/recycling streams, including electronics and poor-condition furniture/mattresses, but they do not accept tires, C&D debris or refrigerant appliances.

Household hazardous waste uses the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) system rather than curbside bulk. Columbus also partners with SWACO on HHW events.

Electronics are available through the City’s Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers, which accept computers, laptops, printers, phones, tablets and related equipment. That is the better route for e-waste than setting a television or computer with curbside furniture unless 311 specifically instructs otherwise.

Bags, boxes, storage tubs, luggage and open containers filled with loose trash are not considered bulk. Items generated by an eviction, set-out or foreclosure are also excluded from the normal resident bulk program.

For Columbus, start with the local authority links below. Recheck them before a special trip or unusual set-out because programs, prices and facility hours can change.

• Columbus Bulk Collection311 scheduling, accepted/prohibited items, carpet/glass preparation and current center hours.
• Waste and Reuse Convenience CentersLocations, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. hours and accepted electronics/bulk/reuse categories.
• Household Hazardous WasteSWACO HHW route and City event information.