Trash pickup in Columbus, OH

Who collects trash in Columbus, how trash day works, and which holidays move pickup. Checked against official city and hauler pages on Oct 15, 2026.

Next holiday change: Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026See noteSee every holiday

At a glance

Who collects
City crews and contractors
Haulers
2: City of Columbus Division of Refuse Collection, Rumpke Waste & Recycling
Recycling
Every week
Holiday schedule
2026 posted, 2027 not posted yet
Last checked
Oct 15, 2026

The City of Columbus Division of Refuse Collection (Dept. of Public Service) collects household trash citywide, weekly, in city-issued carts. Curbside recycling (weekly, blue cart) and yard waste (every two weeks, Zone A or B) are collected for the city by its contractor, Rumpke Waste & Recycling. Most households are on a color zone (Navy, Pink, Ruby, Gold, Gray) whose trash day moves forward one day after every city holiday, so trash day changes through the year. Check the rotating color calendar or the lookup. About half of households got a new trash day and color on Sept 2, 2025.

Who picks up trash in Columbus

City crews and contractors.

City of Columbus Division of Refuse Collection

City serviceTrashBulk
Area
Whole city (residential units with an occupant; 1-4 unit buildings and eligible multiple dwelling developments)
Phone
(614) 645-3111 (311)

Trash weekly; Columbus Dumpsters are emptied weekly within a two-day window. Bulk collection is free; schedule it through 311. Office: 2100 Alum Creek Dr, Columbus, OH 43207. Color hotlines: Navy 614-645-6289, Pink 614-645-7465, Ruby 614-645-7829, Gold 614-645-4653, Gray 614-645-4729. App: PickUp CBUS.

Rumpke Waste & Recycling

Private haulerRecyclingYard waste
Area
Whole city (eligible city refuse households; recycling for households with city-issued 90- or 300-gallon trash containers)
Phone
(614) 645-3111 (311)

The city's contractor for recycling and yard waste; the city calls Rumpke its "recycling collection partner." Rumpke has collected curbside recycling under contract since 2012 (weekly since the week of June 12, 2023). The city has put yard waste and recycling collection out to bid (IFB RFQ032631) for a new contract starting April 1, 2027; check with 311 for who collects after that.

Not covered

Commercial, nonresidential and mixed-use properties must use an authorized private hauler. Also not covered: transitional housing, rooming houses, sorority and fraternity houses, dorms, hotels, and multiple dwelling developments (5+ units) that decline city service and use a private hauler. Dumpster and compactor customers get city trash service but aren't eligible for curbside recycling (Title 13; Refuse Rules and Regulations).

How trash day works in Columbus

By address. Nearly all households have a color zone (Navy, Pink, Ruby, Gold, Gray) that sets the trash day, which moves forward one day after each observed holiday (see the rotating color calendar). Recycling has a fixed weekly day; yard waste is every two weeks, by Zone A or B. Look up your days online, in the PickUp CBUS app, through 311 or on your color's hotline.

Find a trash day on columbus.gov

Recycling: every week. Weekly since the week of June 12, 2023, in a 64-gallon blue cart on the same day each week. Yard waste is every two weeks (Zone A and Zone B alternate weeks).

Carts out: No earlier than 6:00 p.m. the day before and no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Carts must be removed by 2:00 p.m. the day after collection. Collection runs 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (the rules allow 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Friday). Bulk items may go out up to 72 hours before. Source

A Sept 2, 2025 rebalancing gave about half of households a new trash day and color; recycling and yard waste schedules didn't change. Good Friday doesn't affect collection.

Columbus trash pickup holiday schedule

Upcoming holidays in Columbus and what each does to pickup. The 2026 holiday schedule is posted; 2027’s isn’t out yet.

The city's 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar (PDF) runs through Jan 1, 2027; the 2027 calendar isn't posted yet. The city observes the same holidays every year: New Year's Day, MLK Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples Day (Oct 12 in 2026), Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

2026

  1. Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026

    See note

    City trash, color-zone households

    The city says "there is no trash collection on these city-observed holidays," and for color zones, "your collection day moves forward one day after every observed holiday." It's a rotating schedule, not a one-week slide: each color's day stays moved until the next holiday. Check the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar or your color's hotline for the exact day.

    Source: columbus.gov

  2. Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026

    Slides a day

    Recycling and yard waste (Rumpke)

    The city's FAQ: in the week of an observed holiday, if your recycling or yard waste day falls on or after the holiday, collection is one day late (Friday moves to Saturday). It's back to normal the following week.

    Source: columbus.gov

  3. Thanksgiving Day, Thu, Nov 26, 2026

    See note

    City trash, color-zone households

    The city says "there is no trash collection on these city-observed holidays," and for color zones, "your collection day moves forward one day after every observed holiday." It's a rotating schedule, not a one-week slide: each color's day stays moved until the next holiday. Check the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar or your color's hotline for the exact day. The day after Thanksgiving isn't on the city's holiday list.

    Source: columbus.gov

  4. Thanksgiving Day, Thu, Nov 26, 2026

    Slides a day

    Recycling and yard waste (Rumpke)

    The city's FAQ: in the week of an observed holiday, if your recycling or yard waste day falls on or after the holiday, collection is one day late (Friday moves to Saturday). It's back to normal the following week. The day after Thanksgiving isn't on the city's holiday list.

    Source: columbus.gov

  5. Christmas Day, Fri, Dec 25, 2026

    See note

    City trash, color-zone households

    The city says "there is no trash collection on these city-observed holidays," and for color zones, "your collection day moves forward one day after every observed holiday." It's a rotating schedule, not a one-week slide: each color's day stays moved until the next holiday. Check the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar or your color's hotline for the exact day. Christmas is a Friday; Friday recycling and yard waste move to Saturday, Dec 26.

    Source: columbus.gov

  6. Christmas Day, Fri, Dec 25, 2026

    Slides a day

    Recycling and yard waste (Rumpke)

    The city's FAQ: in the week of an observed holiday, if your recycling or yard waste day falls on or after the holiday, collection is one day late (Friday moves to Saturday). It's back to normal the following week. Christmas is a Friday, so Friday recycling and yard waste move to Saturday, Dec 26.

    Source: columbus.gov

2027

  1. New Year's Day, Fri, Jan 1, 2027

    See note

    City trash, color-zone households

    The city says "there is no trash collection on these city-observed holidays," and for color zones, "your collection day moves forward one day after every observed holiday." It's a rotating schedule, not a one-week slide: each color's day stays moved until the next holiday. Check the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar or your color's hotline for the exact day. Jan 1, 2027 is on the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar. Friday recycling and yard waste move to Saturday, Jan 2.

    Source: columbus.gov

  2. New Year's Day, Fri, Jan 1, 2027

    Slides a day

    Recycling and yard waste (Rumpke)

    The city's FAQ: in the week of an observed holiday, if your recycling or yard waste day falls on or after the holiday, collection is one day late (Friday moves to Saturday). It's back to normal the following week. Jan 1, 2027 is on the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar, so Friday recycling and yard waste move to Saturday, Jan 2.

    Source: columbus.gov
Slides a day
That day’s pickups and the rest of the week move one day later (Friday’s move to Saturday).
See note
A different change, such as only some routes moving. The note says what changes.
Cleaning bins in Columbus?

Bins get cleaned right after pickup, so when a holiday moves trash day, your route moves with it. In Clean Bin System you give each zone its hauler and add the hauler’s holidays once: that week’s cleanings move with the pickup, and each customer gets a text. See how it works

Columbus neighborhoods

40 names from Columbus Communities (planning community profiles). Planning communities, not neighborhoods: Columbus has no single official list of all its smaller neighborhoods. Each hauler’s area is listed under Who collects.

  • Airport
  • Fifth By Northwest
  • Milo-Grogan
  • South Side
  • Brewery District
  • Fort Hayes
  • Near East
  • Southwest
  • Clintonville
  • Franklinton
  • North Central
  • Downtown
  • German Village
  • North Linden
  • University District
  • Dublin Rd Corridor
  • Greater Hilltop
  • Northeast
  • Victorian Village
  • East Columbus
  • Harmon Rd Corridor
  • Northland
  • West Scioto
  • Far East
  • Harrison West
  • Northwest
  • Westland
  • Far North
  • Hayden Run
  • Olentangy West
  • Wolfe Park
  • Far Northwest
  • Italian Village
  • Rocky Fork-Blacklick
  • Far South
  • Livingston Ave Area
  • South East
  • Far West
  • Mid East
  • South Linden

Source: columbus.gov

Questions about trash pickup in Columbus

Who picks up trash in Columbus?

The City of Columbus Division of Refuse Collection (Dept. of Public Service) collects household trash citywide, weekly, in city-issued carts. Curbside recycling (weekly, blue cart) and yard waste (every two weeks, Zone A or B) are collected for the city by its contractor, Rumpke Waste & Recycling. Most households are on a color zone (Navy, Pink, Ruby, Gold, Gray) whose trash day moves forward one day after every city holiday, so trash day changes through the year. Check the rotating color calendar or the lookup. About half of households got a new trash day and color on Sept 2, 2025.

How do I find my trash day in Columbus?

By address. Nearly all households have a color zone (Navy, Pink, Ruby, Gold, Gray) that sets the trash day, which moves forward one day after each observed holiday (see the rotating color calendar). Recycling has a fixed weekly day; yard waste is every two weeks, by Zone A or B. Look up your days online, in the PickUp CBUS app, through 311 or on your color's hotline.

Is recycling picked up every week in Columbus?

Yes, every week. Weekly since the week of June 12, 2023, in a 64-gallon blue cart on the same day each week. Yard waste is every two weeks (Zone A and Zone B alternate weeks).

When do trash carts go out in Columbus?

No earlier than 6:00 p.m. the day before and no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Carts must be removed by 2:00 p.m. the day after collection. Collection runs 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (the rules allow 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Friday). Bulk items may go out up to 72 hours before.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Columbus?

Thanksgiving is Thu, Nov 26, 2026. City trash, color-zone households: The city says "there is no trash collection on these city-observed holidays," and for color zones, "your collection day moves forward one day after every observed holiday." It's a rotating schedule, not a one-week slide: each color's day stays moved until the next holiday. Check the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar or your color's hotline for the exact day. The day after Thanksgiving isn't on the city's holiday list. Recycling and yard waste (Rumpke): pickup slides a day, so that day’s routes and the rest of the week move one day later. The city's FAQ: in the week of an observed holiday, if your recycling or yard waste day falls on or after the holiday, collection is one day late (Friday moves to Saturday). It's back to normal the following week. The day after Thanksgiving isn't on the city's holiday list.

Is trash picked up on Christmas in Columbus?

Christmas is Fri, Dec 25, 2026. City trash, color-zone households: The city says "there is no trash collection on these city-observed holidays," and for color zones, "your collection day moves forward one day after every observed holiday." It's a rotating schedule, not a one-week slide: each color's day stays moved until the next holiday. Check the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar or your color's hotline for the exact day. Christmas is a Friday; Friday recycling and yard waste move to Saturday, Dec 26. Recycling and yard waste (Rumpke): pickup slides a day, so that day’s routes and the rest of the week move one day later. The city's FAQ: in the week of an observed holiday, if your recycling or yard waste day falls on or after the holiday, collection is one day late (Friday moves to Saturday). It's back to normal the following week. Christmas is a Friday, so Friday recycling and yard waste move to Saturday, Dec 26.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in Columbus?

New Year’s Day is Fri, Jan 1, 2027. City trash, color-zone households: The city says "there is no trash collection on these city-observed holidays," and for color zones, "your collection day moves forward one day after every observed holiday." It's a rotating schedule, not a one-week slide: each color's day stays moved until the next holiday. Check the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar or your color's hotline for the exact day. Jan 1, 2027 is on the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar. Friday recycling and yard waste move to Saturday, Jan 2. Recycling and yard waste (Rumpke): pickup slides a day, so that day’s routes and the rest of the week move one day later. The city's FAQ: in the week of an observed holiday, if your recycling or yard waste day falls on or after the holiday, collection is one day late (Friday moves to Saturday). It's back to normal the following week. Jan 1, 2027 is on the 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar, so Friday recycling and yard waste move to Saturday, Jan 2.

Sources

Official city and hauler pages, checked Oct 15, 2026. News and other sites used for details the official pages don’t give are listed separately. Schedules change, especially around holidays: check the city’s page before you plan routes. Something out of date? Email taylor@bincleanmarketing.com.

Other sources (3)

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