Know the rules in Columbus before you put your leaves on the curb. What to know

The fall leaves are piling up this time of year and for some of us those green bins just aren’t cutting it. If you’ve got more leaves than container, here’s what you can do instead of just dumping them on the curb.

The Columbus Consolidated Government updated the waste management policies last year to make regular waste collection the same day as yard waste, but not much else has changed, says Columbus Public Works Director Drale Short.

Previous advice from the Public Works website, indicating residents must use “biodegradable paper bags or black contractor bags,” is no longer valid, so these are the correct guidelines to follow.

Curbside pick-up

Yard waste, just like regular trash, is collected once a week and has to be placed curbside. According to Short, there are two trucks for yard waste collection: the side loader with a mechanical arm and a rear loader that is manned by two workers, often inmates.

Yard waste collection rules:

For the green bins:

• Must be in the green rolling cart.
• Cannot be in bags
• Cart must be at the curbside on or before collection day.
• Must be free of any type of household garbage or bags. 
• Tree and shrub trimming from pruning can be placed directly on the curb. 

For excess yard waste:

• Must be in bags with no mandates about bag type
• Cannot have household waste in them
• Should be put out the same day as other waste collection

Short says the city “would prefer that they use the 95‑gallon cart that we've given them, the green cart, plus their old 32‑gallon garbage cans.” Despite rumor, there are no limits to how many bags or cans you leave “at this time,” Short says.

Landfill drop-off

Columbus has two open landfills for citizens to use.

• Pine Grove Landfill: 7900 Pine Grove Way
• Granite Bluff Landfill: 7589 GA-219

Rules for dumping

• Must be a Muscogee County resident and present a valid ID and a water bill.
• Mixed loads are not permitted and waste must be separated before arrival in household garbage; construction waste; green waste.
• The cost is $76.50 per ton or ￠.08433 per pound.

Acceptable items

• Grass clippings
• Leaves
• Non-contaminated soil
• Rocks
• Bricks
• Concrete without rebar
• Cured asphalt

Grass clippings should be containerized in biodegradable paper bags before drop-off.

Backyard composting

The Environmental Protection Division suggests this is the best option for excess yard waste, but it does take a little extra effort and organization.

Practical advice

Use a backyard composter or build your own. Here’s how:

• Start a base layer of 4-6 inches of bulky browns like twigs, leaves or straw
• Add some green like grass clippings or kitchen scraps
• Moisten the pile until it feels like a wrung-out sponge
• Turn every few days to weeks for aeration

Short said there is no way to “break the rules” and incur fines and penalties, but emphasized to residents they should not bag their yard and recycled waste.

If you still have questions you can call 311 or visit the Columbus Public Works site. How are you adapting to the new waste collection guidelines?

Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.

Editor’s note: This article was edited for clarity and accuracy, following a phone call with Columbus Consolidated Government Public Works Director, Drale Short.

This story was originally published December 6, 2025 at 6:00 AM.