Is your recycling bin often overflowing because it’s only picked up every other week? Well, you can soon put those concerns to rest as the long-awaited conversion to weekly recycling pickup will begin rolling out on June 12th.
The announcement was made today during a press conference held by local leaders, after first proclaiming the change was in motion back in November 2022.
“Recycling supports jobs and a circular economy to help our community and neighborhoods thrive,” stated Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther. “It is an important tool to reduce carbon emissions, extend the life of the landfill, and meet critical Columbus Climate Action Plan goals for a healthier, more equitable and sustainable community.”
The program is expected to increase landfill diversion efforts by moving the needle on residential recycling collection from 25% to 40%. Of course, the reduction of wasteful items — like single-use plastics — is a key factor in landfill diversion, especially considering that most plastic is impossible to recycle.
“Bold initiatives and collaborations among the public and private sectors such as the implementation of weekly recycling services for individuals in the city of Columbus will help our region meet our diversion goals,” stated SWACO Executive Director Joe Lombardi. “Not only will this new weekly recycling program provide an opportunity to increase the amount of recyclables kept out of the landfill, and extend the life of the landfill, but it will also help to create a steady supply of additional materials benefiting the nearly 400 recycling-reliant businesses that call our region home.”
Pickup schedules will be changing for approximately 22,000 households as a part of the process, and those residents will be notified via mail ahead of June 12.
Yard waste collection will remain on the existing biweekly schedule.
For more information, visit columbus.gov/publicservice/Refuse-Collection/.