Columbus changes trash pick-up days for half of the city's households

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Starting Sept. 2, approximately half of the households in Columbus that receive weekly city trash pick-up will experience changes to their collection day and route color.

The city has introduced a new schedule to address unbalanced trash collection routes as Columbus continues to grow.

“As Columbus has grown, the city’s trash collection routes have become increasingly unbalanced among Refuse Collection’s three refuse transfer stations where our trash trucks are based,” the city’s website stated. “To address this and ensure optimal efficiencies and customer service, refuse truck routes are being adjusted for a more balanced number of collection routes per station service area.”

Residents can determine if their route is changing by using the Collection Day Lookup tool on the city’s website or by downloading the Pick-Up Cbus smartphone app. By entering their home address, residents can easily check their new trash collection schedule.

Some residents are assigned a “color” that establishes when their collection day will be. If you reside in a “color” collection zone, your collection day advances one day for every observed holiday. These “color zones” are: navy, pink, ruby, gold, or gray.

• Navy customers can call (614) 645-NAVY (6289)
• Pink customers can call (614) 645-PINK (7465)
• Ruby customers can call (614) 645-RUBY (7829)
• Gold customers can call (614) 645-GOLD (4653)
• Gray customers can call (614) 645-GRAY (4729)

The city answered some other frequently asked questions about the trash pick-up change on its website.

Does the trash collection rebalancing impact recycling and yard waste schedules?

No, recycling and yard waste collection schedules will remain unchanged. You can find your recycling and yard waste collection schedules by using the PickUP CBUS app, or the Collection Day Lookup or Rotating Color Calendar tools at www.columbus.gov/trash.

Will my pickup location change?

No, the current location where your trash is collected, either at the curb or in the alley, will remain the same.

Will the collection time change?

Collection times will vary, but will be within 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. operations. Your trash container must be placed at your collection location no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before collection and must be pulled back to your property by 2 p.m. the day after.