Recycling Centers in Columbus, OH

Recycling in Columbus: A Local Guide

Columbus is the largest city in Ohio and one of the fastest-growing metros in the Midwest, and its recycling infrastructure reflects that scale. Franklin County residents have access to more than 60 listed recycling facilities through our directory — spanning e-waste, scrap metal, automotive recycling, food-waste composting, junk removal, and specialty-material drop-offs. The two main public systems are the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) and the City of Columbus Public Service Division, and both serve county and city residents respectively at no cost (with limited exceptions). For the full picture of Ohio recycling options, including neighboring suburbs, see our statewide hub.

The most comprehensive public drop-off point in the county is the SWACO Recycling Convenience Center at 2566 Jackson Pike, open Monday–Friday 9:30 am–5 pm and Saturday 9 am–4 pm. Franklin County residents can drop off standard recyclables (cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, metal) plus dozens of specialty streams: motor oil, antifreeze, car batteries, tires ($5 each), monitors and TVs (fees apply), household electronics, appliances, mattresses (through Nov. 30, 2026), paint (latex, oil-based, and spray), Styrofoam, yard waste, scrap metal, clothing, bicycles, books, and food waste. Cash is not accepted at SWACO; bring a credit card, debit card, or check. A separate SWACO Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility at 645 E. 8th Avenue accepts paints, chemicals, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, and other hazardous items Monday–Friday 9 am–5 pm and the first Saturday of each month 9 am–2 pm.

City of Columbus residents have a parallel free resource: two Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers operated by Columbus Public Service — one at 2100 Alum Creek Drive and one at 1550 Georgesville Road, both open Tuesday–Saturday 9 am–5 pm. These centers accept electronics, food scraps, yard waste, clothing, furniture in good condition, bicycles, scrap metal, cooking oil, and Styrofoam at no charge. Hazardous materials, tires, construction debris, and commercial waste are not accepted. Access is limited to Columbus residents disposing of materials from their own homes. Curbside recycling for city households is managed through Columbus Public Service (blue-bin single-stream); call 311 or visit columbus.gov for your specific pickup schedule. Beyond city and county programs, the metro is served by private operators covering every material category: DMS Electronics Recycling (1401 E 17th Ave, Mon–Fri 8 am–5 pm) for IT asset disposition and e-waste; Accurate IT Services for certified electronics; Stark Electronics Recycling; and multiple ecoATM kiosks at retail locations across the city for instant cash on used phones.

For scrap metal, Columbus is well served by SA Recycling, Ace Iron & Metal, Masser Metals & Recycling, and IHS Metal Recycling. Auto salvage buyers include Pick-N-Pull and Edison Automotive (U-Pull-It yard on McKinley Ave, free entry). Food-waste and organics composting is handled by Innovative Organics Recycling (commercial and residential pickup from 2121 Integrity Dr S) and the GoZero community compost drop-off at 2855 Indianola Ave in Clintonville ($10/month membership). Nearby suburban options are listed in our guides for Dublin, Westerville, Grove City, and Reynoldsburg.