Columbus, Ohio resident guide
Columbus trash, recycling, bulk pickup & yard waste schedule
Schedule free Columbus bulk pickup through 311, find weekly trash and recycling, and prepare unlimited paper bags for every other week yard waste collection.
Official source links checked on August 31, 2026.
Regular household service
Trash and recycling service
Start here for the recurring household collections residents use most often.
Columbus collects wheeled trash containers once each week. Some dumpster customers have a two day window. Place the container by 6 a.m. and use the address lookup because color routes move after observed holidays.
Columbus collects curbside recycling once each week. Yard waste is collected every other week on the assigned Zone A or Zone B schedule. The address tool and PickUp CBUS app show both dates.
Need it gone before the city service?
Get a LoadUp quote when the local date is too far away or an item is excluded.
Start here
How Columbus service works
Schedule through Columbus 311 online or call 614-645-3111. List the items, wait for the assigned date, and use the curb or alley location that matches the property's regular trash collection.
Columbus 2026 resident collection guide
Columbus bulk requires 311 while the other services use address schedules
Trash and recycling run weekly, yard waste runs every other week, and every bulk setout needs its own confirmed 311 request. The address tool keeps all three collection calendars straight.
List every item and wait for the confirmed date before setout.
Place the wheeled container by 6 a.m. on the current color route day.
Use the official lookup or PickUp CBUS for the address date.
Zone A and Zone B dates stay separate from the weekly recycling schedule.
Each paper bag, marked container, or branch bundle must weigh under 50 pounds.
Fall leaf and yard waste pickupColumbus collects leaves and yard waste every other weekEvery other week collection confirmed
Columbus residents receiving eligible City refuse service use the assigned Zone A or Zone B yard waste schedule. Leaves belong in paper bags or marked reusable containers, not loose at the curb or inside the trash cart.
Use the address lookup to find the Zone A or Zone B date.
Each bag, container, or branch bundle must weigh less than 50 pounds.
Branches must also be under four inches wide and tied in bundles under two feet across.
What residents should do
- Enter the service address in the Columbus collection day lookup and note the yard waste zone.
- Place leaves in biodegradable paper bags or a reusable container marked Yard Waste.
- Cut branches under four feet long, keep them under four inches wide, and tie each bundle with twine.
- Keep yard waste three feet from carts, hydrants, mailboxes, and trees, and never use plastic bags.
City rules at a glance
Local limits before placement
Columbus requires a separate confirmed request for each bulk setout. The City page does not publish one universal item count, so list every item in the request and follow the allowance returned by 311.
For curb trash service, place approved items in front of the home away from obstructions. For alley trash service, use the edge of the property at the alley line. Roll and tie carpet into bundles no larger than four feet long by two feet in diameter.
Local detail that matters
What makes Columbus service different
Columbus uses three related schedules. Trash runs weekly and some routes rotate after holidays, recycling runs weekly, and yard waste runs every other week by zone. Bulk is separate and always needs a 311 appointment.
Item guidance
What may go in the bulk item pile
Accepted examples
Eligible household furniture, mattresses, tied carpet, dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances that do not contain refrigerant.
Not accepted
Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, hazardous material, loose debris, and anything not listed on the confirmed request require another disposal path. Do not place bulk inside the trash container.
Holiday collectionColumbus collection calendars account for every 2026 City holiday2026 schedule confirmed
Columbus trash color routes rotate forward after an observed holiday. Recycling and yard waste scheduled on or after a holiday move one day later for that week, with Friday service moving to Saturday.
Trash color routes keep rotating
A color route does not automatically return to the same weekday after the holiday. Use the current color calendar or address lookup before each setout.
Some properties use a two day window
If collection falls before the holiday, use the first day of the window. If it falls on or after the holiday, use the second day.
Recycling and yard waste return next week
Only the affected holiday week moves one day later. The regular weekly recycling and every other week yard waste date resumes after that week.
No collection on these observed holidays
Trash color routes rotate forward. Recycling and yard waste on or after the holiday move one day later for the affected week.
- New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 19
- Presidents Day, Monday, February 16
- Memorial Day, Monday, May 25
- Juneteenth, Friday, June 19
- Independence Day observed, Friday, July 3
- Labor Day, Monday, September 7
- Indigenous Peoples Day, Monday, October 12
- Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11
- Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26
- Christmas Day, Friday, December 25
Common questions
Columbus collection FAQ
How do I schedule Columbus bulk trash pickup?
Use Columbus 311 online or call 614-645-3111. Describe every item and wait for the confirmed date before placing anything outside.
Is Columbus bulk pickup free?
Yes. The City describes ordinary eligible bulk collection as a free service for residents receiving City refuse collection, but it must be scheduled through 311.
What Columbus bulk items are accepted?
The official examples include furniture, mattresses, tied carpet, and appliances without refrigerant such as dishwashers and washing machines. List every item in the request.
How often does Columbus collect trash and recycling?
Wheeled trash containers and curbside recycling are collected weekly. Some dumpster customers have a two day trash window, so use the address lookup for the exact service.
How often does Columbus collect leaves and yard waste?
Yard waste is collected every other week on the assigned zone schedule. There is no bag count limit, but every bag, container, or bundle must weigh less than 50 pounds.
How should Columbus residents prepare leaves and branches?
Use biodegradable paper bags or a reusable container marked Yard Waste. Cut branches under four feet long and four inches in diameter, then tie them in bundles under two feet wide. Plastic bags are not accepted.
Sources used for this guide
Official supporting information
TrashDayFinder used these public sources to prepare the resident guidance above. They were checked on August 31, 2026 and are provided here as evidence.
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