Summertime — and the recycling is weekly.
That’s how the song goes, right? Don’t quote us on that, but we are sublime over the city’s new recycling program that launches on Monday, June 12. Before crews can start picking up what you’re putting down on your curb, we’re here with some helpful tips and reminders.
The new program
Previously, the city’s recycling program was bi-weekly, but in an effort to reach environmental goals, the city expanded it to weekly. You can also look up your recycling pick-up days via the city’s online search portal, or by downloading the season-long calendar.
Getting bins
Are you looking to start recycling this year? Do you need to add a second bin to your curb? The city can help with both.
The online portal provides a search option to see what items are recyclable. | Screenshot via City of Columbus
Dos and don’ts
Many items can be recycled, including cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, and metal. However, there are caveats, like removing all food or waste from any recyclables (yes, that means rinsing out that ketchup bottle). Here are a few more things that can be recycled, just with extra steps:
- Metal cans and cups, but anything with an aerosol tip must be removed.
- Not all plastic is made equally + certain kinds, such as plates or foam containers, simply can’t be recycled.
- Paper and cardboard are great for recycling, but the city does request these items be broken down to conserve space.
This may seem tedious, but certain items can actually spoil an entire haul of recyclables, which means they will head to the landfill.
Climate Action Plan
As mentioned above, these efforts are to reduce climate change in the city. This initiative was launched in 2020 by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther + includes goals of reducing emissions by 45% by 2030.