Waste Management Services in Columbus, OH
Find trusted dumpster rental, junk removal, septic pumping, and specialty services in Columbus. Compare verified providers and get free quotes.
Waste Management Services in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus Division of Refuse Collection serves 905K+ residents with municipal collection, while SWACO (Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio) provides regional recycling and waste management infrastructure. The city generates approximately 1.8 million tons of MSW annually with expanding recycling and composting programs.
Residential Service
Free municipal collection for residents - weekly trash and yard waste. Recycling varies by service provider. Funded through city budget.
Dumpster Rental
20-yard, 7-day rental
Providers
Licensed haulers serving Columbus
Waste Haulers Serving Columbus
Compare licensed waste management providers offering residential, commercial, and specialty services in Columbus:
Columbus Division of Refuse Collection
municipal- Residential collection
- Yard waste
- Bulk items
SWACO (Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio)
regional- Recycling processing
- HHW facility
- Composting
- Education
Waste Management
national- Commercial collection
- Dumpster rental
- Industrial services
Rumpke Waste & Recycling
regional- Commercial collection
- Roll-off containers
- Recycling
Columbus Waste Management Costs
Understand typical pricing for waste services in Columbus. Costs vary by provider, service level, and property type.
Residential Services
Free municipal collection for residents - weekly trash and yard waste. Recycling varies by service provider. Funded through city budget.
Commercial Services
Private haulers. Competitive Columbus market. Midwestern pricing lower than coastal cities. Varies by service level.
Dumpster Rental
7-day rental. Competitive Ohio pricing. Growing city drives construction demand.
Junk Removal
Quarter truck ~$160-$275, half truck $275-$410, full truck $450-$640. Midwest competitive rates.
Columbus Waste Regulations & Requirements
Dumpster Permits
Dumpster permits required from Columbus Department of Public Service for street placement. Fees vary. Private property placement no permit.
Recycling Requirements
SWACO coordinates regional recycling. Drop-off locations throughout Franklin County. Some neighborhoods have curbside recycling - check with your hauler.
Special Regulations
- Yard waste collected seasonally (typically April-November)
- Bulk item limits vary - call ahead for large items
- Winter snow can delay collection schedules
- SWACO Choose to Reuse campaign promoting waste reduction
- Business Recycling Champion program for commercial properties
- Landfill space sufficient for 42 years at current disposal rates
Recycling in Columbus
Columbus recycling services vary by area. SWACO operates Recycling Convenience Center accepting wide range of materials. Drop-off locations throughout Franklin County. Some neighborhoods have curbside recycling through private haulers. Expanding composting drop-off sites.
Accepted Materials
- Paper, cardboard, newspaper, magazines (at SWACO centers)
- Plastic bottles & containers #1-7
- Glass bottles & jars
- Metal cans, aluminum foil
- Electronics, appliances, bicycles (SWACO Convenience Center)
- Batteries, prescription pill bottles (SWACO centers)
- Food scraps (composting drop-off sites)
Not Accepted
- Plastic bags (some drop-off locations available)
- Styrofoam packaging
- Hazardous materials (HHW facility only)
- Construction debris (requires dumpster)
- Medical waste
Special Waste Programs in Columbus
Take advantage of these specialized collection and disposal programs available to Columbus residents:
SWACO Recycling Convenience Center
Accepts plastic foam packaging, batteries, prescription pill bottles, appliances, bicycles, food scraps, and much more. Free for Franklin County residents.
2566 Jackson Pike, Columbus | Mon-Fri 10:30am-6pm, Sat 9am-4:30pm | (614) 871-5100
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Free HHW disposal for Franklin County residents. Accepts paint, chemicals, batteries, e-waste, fluorescent bulbs, motor oil.
645 E. 8th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201 | swaco.org/hhw
Community Waste Reduction Grants
SWACO awarded $256K+ in 2025 grants to 12 local organizations for waste reduction, recycling, composting, and education projects.
Application info at swaco.org/grants
Business Recycling Champion Program
Recognition program for businesses demonstrating recycling excellence. Includes Food Waste Champion program. Technical assistance provided.
swaco.org/business-programs | (614) 871-5100
Choose to Reuse Campaign
Regional campaign promoting waste reduction at the source through reusable alternatives to single-use items.
swaco.org/choosetoreuse
What Makes Columbus Waste Management Unique
- SWACO regional partnership coordinates waste management for entire Franklin County
- Free municipal residential collection funded through city income tax structure
- Comprehensive Recycling Convenience Center accepting wide range of materials
- Community grant program investing in local waste reduction initiatives
- Winter weather can significantly impact collection schedules - snow delays common
- Growing population and expanding city boundaries creating infrastructure challenges
- Business Recycling Champion program pioneering commercial waste reduction
- Landfill capacity planning 42+ years ahead - proactive long-term management
Contact Columbus Waste Services
Get help with waste collection, recycling questions, or service requests:
Columbus Division of Refuse Collection
SWACO (Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio)
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