The City of Columbus and SWACO are teaming up to introduce Recycle Right, Make a Difference to families and residents in Columbus’s Linden neighborhood. 

A recent SWACO study found the majority of Central Ohioans agree that recycling and reducing waste can help to reduce the impacts of climate change and reflect well on our community. Recycle Right was developed by SWACO to help reduce Franklin County’s reliance on the local landfill by improving and increasing recycling at home. 

The city and SWACO have partnered to introduce Recycle Right in North and South Linden using the city’s existing citywide residential curbside recycling program. Residents without a recycling cart are encouraged to email [email protected] to sign up to receive a new blue 64-gallon wheeled recycling cart. The first cart is provided free to Columbus households. Additional carts are available for a small fee. 

On America Recycles Day (November 15), SWACO celebrates Franklin County's current recycling rate of 51% which exceeds the national average, yet still acknowledges that 76% of all material currently arriving at the county landfill could have been recycled or composted. A large portion of that material is generated by Columbus, the largest city in Ohio. 

In December 2021, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther unveiled the Columbus Climate Action Plan, which includes a bold goal for the city to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan identifies improved recycling as part of the solution to reducing carbon emissions. The city seeks to achieve a 40% reduction in the amount of recyclables sent to the landfill by 2030 and a 95% reduction by 2050. 

By providing recycling reminders and information about what to recycle and what to avoid putting in the curbside recycling cart, SWACO and the city aim to increase the amount of recycling by Linden residents and instill confidence about what’s accepted for recycling.  

A goal of the Recycle Right campaign is to reduce the amount of non-recyclable items being put in curbside recycling carts. Every year, items like plastic bags, batteries and wire hangers add delays, dangers and expenses to the recycling process. 

Columbus and Franklin County curbside and drop-off recycling programs accept these materials: 

• Paper and Cardboard
• Plastic Bottles, Cups, Jugs and Tubs
• Glass Bottles and Jars
• Metal Cups and Cans
• Carton Containers

Everything else should be reused, donated, composted or safely disposed. 

In 2021, the city also partnered with SWACO to bring Recycle Right to families and residents in the Hilltop. 

Reducing contamination and generating a cleaner recycling stream will have the added benefit of creating more materials for the hundreds of recycling-reliant businesses in the region. In Columbus alone, the regional recycling industry supports six times more jobs than the landfill, and 80% of the recycled materials become new products in the local area. 

“Strong community recycling programs can contribute to healthy, safe and vibrant communities,” said Hanna Greer-Brown, SWACO’s Communications Manager. “SWACO has been pleased to support the City of Columbus’ and the Linden neighborhoods’ continued prioritization of sustainability and we look forward to this new recycling initiative.”

“The City of Columbus is excited to continue our partnership with SWACO to improve and expand recycling in North and South Linden,” said Aryeh Alex, Division of Refuse Collection Sustainability Manager and Keep Columbus Beautiful Executive Director. “As our city grows, so does the waste we produce. Proper recycling is critical as we improve waste management and sustainability efforts. North and South Linden residents will be given all the tools they need to improve their recycling habits.” 

To learn more about the Recycle Right campaign and the many benefits of recycling, visit www.RecycleRight.org.