Here are all the items Columbus will and won’t pick up from the curb besides normal trash
Most Columbus residents know the protocol for weekly garbage, and even the rules for yard waste. But many of us have had to toss something outside of regular household waste without knowing the exact procedure.
Here are rules of the Columbus Consolidated Government, and where you may be on your own.
Bulk items
A lot of the bigger items aren’t collected with the regular trash, so you may have to take a few extra steps.
Items considered “bulk waste”
- Furniture
- Appliances
- Mattresses
- Large household items
Important information:
- Bulk items are collected once per week on the same day as yard waste.
- Construction waste is prohibited
- Check your pickup days before you bring anything to the curb
Medical waste
Columbus does not have a dedicated route for sharps or needles, but you can call 311 to schedule individual collection.
- Call first thing on the morning of your regular pickup day
- Put all sharps in a puncture-proof container
- Materials must be containerized in a hard plastic or metal container with a secure lid
- Label containers with “SHARPS”
Dead animals or roadkill
Columbus provides free dead animal removal for carcasses on public property or in roadways.
- Call 311 or Muscogee County Animal Control for public-property removal.
- For animals on private property, you’ll need a private removal service.
- Georgia allows for pet burial on private property with a few exceptions
- Columbus Police department or the SPCA don’t handle roadkill
Electronics
Most household electronics contain materials that are hazardous in the landfill, and can’t be thrown away in the regular trash. Columbus residents have a few options depending on what you have and how fast you need it gone.
- You may dispose of electronics for free at the Recycle Center
- Some Best Buys will accept most electronics
- uBreakiFix accepts old phones and some devices
- Private waste disposal companies in town can help with electronics
Hazardous household waste
Items like old paint cans, pesticides or motor oil shouldn’t be thrown away with the regular debris.
Columbus has the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on the first Saturday in October at the Recycling and Sustainability Center at 8001 Pine Grove Way.
Items accepted:
- Anti-freeze
- Paints
- Solvents
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Cleaners
- Acids
- Mercury
- Rechargeable batteries
- Fluorescent light bulbs
Columbus Water Works has 11 locations to recycle grease, as well.
Never pour household hazardous waste down the drain because it can cause groundwater and stream contamination.
Items the city won’t pick up
- Any construction or demolition materials resulting from construction, remodeling or razing of buildings, structures or pavement. This includes bricks, stone, cement chunks, cement blocks, sand or gravel.
- Any type of cylinders, such as propane, oxygen, chlorine, etc.
- Any vehicle, marine, motorcycle, or lawn tractor batteries.
- Any drum that contained fuel, oil, solvent, automotive fluids or pool chemicals.
- Hazardous waste of any kind.
For everything waste related, call 311 (or visit the website) and 706-653-4000. You can also visit Earth911 for needs beyond what the city provides or if you need it sooner.