Recycling FAQ

The current plan is for it to stay in full operation. The intent of the curbside service is not to shut down the existing recycling center. The other recycling stations will likely remain open but this is at the discretion of the Solid Waste District.

Curbside recycling in Columbus is voluntary. Curbside recycling will be as simple as trash collection. Residents are simply asked to place accepted recyclable materials in a provided FREE 96-gallon recycling toter and all other non-recyclable garbage in their existing trash toter. The recycling toters will be the same as trash toters except they will have green lids instead of the usual black. Then residents are only required to place their FREE 96-gallon recycling toter at the curb once every two weeks for collection.

Commercial/Industrial cardboard collection and recycling is a service in the city. It is possible that this service will be expanded in the county in the future.

Apartments with four units or fewer that are currently sanitation customers can participate in the new City of Columbus recycling service. For larger apartment complexes, the Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District has recycling receptacles at the Bartholomew County landfill, the Columbus/Bartholomew County Recycling Center, as well as satellite sites and shopping centers. Information on those sites can be found on the Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District website. There are other sites (churches, schools, etc) with recycling receptacles for paper and/or plastics which are used for fund-raising. In addition, some multi-family residential units have on-site recycling for residents (e.g., Jackson Place).

This service is available only to single-family residences and apartments with four units or fewer that are currently sanitation customers within the City of Columbus.

Recycling services in other communities have shown that a majority of people want to participate in an easy recycling service. In addition, the many partners supporting this service will also engage in promotional campaigns, public events, and instructional materials to educate the public about the benefits of recycling.

• Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators
• Conserves natural resources such as land, timber, water, crude oil, metals and minerals
• Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials
• Saves energy
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change
• Helps sustain the environment for future generations

There are no new user fees for participants of this service. The City of Columbus has established a public-private partnership with community businesses and organizations to help fund the launch of the service. Private businesses and organizations have agreed to provide the initial capital necessary to fund the 96-gallon recycling toters and the automated truck. The remaining expenses (1-2 full time employees, fuel and costs for disposal) will be funded through the city budget. The service will be sustained by the city budget.

No. The great advantage of this recycling program is that it is single stream or co-mingled, which means there will be no sorting required. All accepted recyclable materials can be put in the same 96-gallon recycling toter, and the recyclables will be collected every other week. Trash collection will still occur weekly.

Your recycling day depends on where you live, similar to trash pickup. You can see the calendar of pickup days here.

Three sizes of toters are available. Each resident who signs up can choose between a FREE 96 gallon toter, 64 gallon for a one time $30 fee, or a 48 gallon for a one time $30 fee.  This can be chosen on the online sign up form.

Yes.  However, by signing up early, your home will be added to a growing list that will be used to generate and establish collection routes. Routes and dates will be based on initial participation rates, making early signup by residents imperative. Residents will be notified of their collection day once routes are formalized.

By signing up now, it adds your home to a growing list that will be used to generate and establish collection routes.  It will also allow your home to be on the initial deployment of 96-gallon recycling toters. Routes and dates will be based on initial participation rates, making early signup by residents imperative. Residents will be notified of their collection day once routes are formalized.

There are no new user fees for participants in the service. You can sign up free here! All single-family residences and apartments with four units or fewer that are currently sanitation customers are eligible for a 96-gallon recycling toter from the city. Because participation in the service is voluntary, residents must opt-in to receive their toter and recycling services starting in 2015.

Click here to sign up and request your recycling toter!

Single-family residences and apartments with four units or fewer that are currently sanitation customers within the City of Columbus are eligible for a 96-gallon recycling toter from the city. Because participation in the service is voluntary, residents must opt-in to receive their 96-gallon toter and recycling services starting in 2015.