Residential Recycling
Franklin County's rate of recycling now exceeds the national average. According to data released by SWACO in 2016, Franklin County's recycling rate is 45% while the national average is 34%. By working together as a community, we've made recycling a priority and easy to do!
Ninety-six percent of all households have access to curbside recycling (PDF). SWACO also provides recycling drop-off locations throughout Franklin County for public use. SWACO recycling drop-offs are free to the public and include locations at many fire stations, super markets, and Franklin County Metro Parks. Recyclables collected at the recycling drop-off sites are taken to a local material recovery facility where they are sorted, baled and sold to manufacturers.
Remember buying products made of recycled content is an important part of closing the recycling loop!
Recycling Services
Ninety-six percent of all households have access to curbside recycling (PDF). SWACO also provides recycling drop-off locations throughout Franklin County for public use. SWACO recycling drop-offs are free to the public and include locations at many fire stations, super markets, and Franklin County Metro Parks. Recyclables collected at the recycling drop-off sites are taken to a local material recovery facility where they are sorted, baled and sold to manufacturers.
Remember buying products made of recycled content is an important part of closing the recycling loop!
Curbside Recycling or Drop Off Containers
Plastic Bottles & Jugs
All plastic bottle-neck containers. Bottle-neck containers have a base larger than the top. Labels and caps do not need to be removed. To ensure that the caps are recycled please be sure to attach to the container. Please rinse bottle-neck containers when necessary. Please be sure to recycle all plastic single-use bags (grocer, retailer, empty sandwich, cereal, bread, and other food storage, etc.), films, dry-cleaner bags, etc. with a local grocer that provides recycling containers for the collection of these products. These materials should not be placed in your home or office recycling containers.
Glass
Clear, brown, green, and blue glass bottles and jars in which food and beverage products are packaged. Labels do not need to be removed. Please rinse containers when necessary.
Paper
- Brown grocery bags
- Chip board
- Corrugated cardboard
- Frozen food boxes
- "Junk" mail
- Magazines
- Newspaper with ad slicks
- Office paper
- Phone books
Carton Containers
Gable-top containers and/or paperboard containers containing items such as:
- Broth
- Egg Substitute
- Fabric Softener
- Juice
- Milk
- Soup
- Stock
Metals
- Aluminum beverage cans, steel and tin cans, and empty aerosol cans
- Labels do not need to be removed.
- Please rinse containers when necessary.
Listed below are items currently not accepted through this recycling program. For information on how to recycle or dispose of items like batteries, appliances, furniture, tires, motor oil, visit the SWACO Disposal Information page.
Containers that do not have a bottle-neck or a base larger than the top. For example:
Please be sure to recycle all plastic single-use bags, films, dry-cleaner bags, etc. with a local grocer that provides recycling containers for the collection of these products. Find a participating retailer. Polystyrene or "Styrofoam" packaging that has not come in contact with food may recycled by dropping-off at Phoenix Recycling.
Pouches made of or lined with foil and plastic.
Plastic
Containers that do not have a bottle-neck or a base larger than the top. For example:
- Bubble Wrap
- Butter Tubs
- Disposable Storage Containers
- Drinking Cups
- Plastic Bags
- Plastic Films
- Polystyrene foam or "Styrofoam" egg cartons, plates, cups, etc.
- Toys
- Yogurt Cups
Please be sure to recycle all plastic single-use bags, films, dry-cleaner bags, etc. with a local grocer that provides recycling containers for the collection of these products. Find a participating retailer. Polystyrene or "Styrofoam" packaging that has not come in contact with food may recycled by dropping-off at Phoenix Recycling.
Glass
- Any glass not in the shape of a bottle or jar
- Ceramics
- Light Bulbs
- Window or Drinking Glass
Paper
- Cups
- Egg Cartons
- Paper Towels
- Plates
- Tissues
Drink Pouches
Pouches made of or lined with foil and plastic.
Metals
- Any metal not in the shape of a container
- Coat Hangers
- Steel Scraps
Community Curbside Recycling Programs
If you have any questions regarding curbside collection of recyclables, solid waste and yard waste in your community please contact your city, township or village offices. Below is a partial list of communities that offer curbside recycling programs to residents:
- Bexley
Phone: 614-235-8694 - Blendon Township
Phone: 614-882-1270 - Columbus
Phone: 614-645-3111 - Dublin
Phone: 614-410-4750 - Franklin Township
Phone: 614-279-9411 - Gahanna
Phone: 614-342-4440 - Grandview Heights
Phone: 614-488-4728 - Grove City
Phone: 614-277-1100 - Groveport
Phone: 614-836-5301 - Hilliard
Phone: 614-876-7361
- Jackson Township
Phone: 614-875-2742 - Mifflin Township
Phone: 614-471-4494 - New Albany
Phone: 614-855-3913 - Reynoldsburg
Phone: 614-866-6391 - Upper Arlington
Phone: 614-583-5370 - Washington Township
Phone: 614-652-3920 - Westerville
Phone: 614-901-6740 - Whitehall
Phone: 614-237-8612 - Worthington
Phone: 614-431-2425 - Urbancrest
Phone: 614-875-1279