New Food Waste and Pumpkin Drop-Off Locations Opened by City of Columbus

The City of Columbus is expanding its efforts to help residents manage waste sustainably with new food waste drop-off sites and seasonal pumpkin recycling options! Here’s how you can take advantage of these services and make a positive environmental impact right here in our neighborhood.

New Food Waste Drop-Off Sites in Columbus

Columbus has opened four additional food waste drop-off sites for residents, bringing the total to seven. These sites allow residents to easily dispose of food scraps for composting rather than sending them to the landfill. Each site has clearly marked collection containers and is located at community centers in accessible locations:

• Beatty Park and Community Center – 247 N. Ohio Ave., 43203

• Northeast Park and Howard Community Center – 2505 Cassady Ave., 43219

• Linden Park and Community Center – 1350 Briarwood Ave., 43211

• Carriage Place Community Center – 4900 Sawmill Rd., 43235

The original three locations launched in 2023—Bill McDonald Athletic Complex, Dodge Park, and Scioto Southland Park—have already diverted more than 100,000 pounds of food waste from Franklin County’s landfill.

Residents can also bring food scraps to the Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers at:

• 2100 Alum Creek Dr.

• 1550 Georgesville Rd. (newly opened)

Visit columbus.gov/foodwaste to learn which food items are accepted. The first 300 residents to register will receive a free household bucket for collecting and transporting their food scraps!

Pumpkin and Yard Sign Recycling Available in November

As the holiday season begins, Columbus is making it easy to dispose of seasonal items sustainably. During November, the Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers will accept pumpkins free of paint or markers for composting. These centers are located at 2100 Alum Creek Dr. and 1550 Georgesville Rd., open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional pumpkin drop-off is available at:

• Stephen Lennon Refuse Collection Station – 4260 Morse Road, open Monday through Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2 and Nov. 30, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Last year, these efforts helped divert more than 13.5 tons of waste from the landfill.

Note: To keep food waste drop-off sites clean, pumpkins should be taken to designated pumpkin recycling centers rather than food waste sites.

Recycle Yard Signs at Convenience Centers

Campaign season may be over, but recycling your campaign signs doesn’t have to be a hassle! In November, the Convenience Centers will accept plastic and cardboard yard signs along with their metal stands. Cardboard and paper signs can also be placed in your blue recycling containers, but plastic signs and metal wires should be brought to the centers.

For a full list of acceptable items for recycling, donation, or disposal, visit the City of Columbus Trash, Recycling, andBulk Collection page.

Let’s work together to keep Columbus green by making use of these convenient recycling and composting options. Thanks for helping reduce our community’s waste footprint!