From homes and schools, to businesses, non-profits and local governments, central Ohioans are passionate about recycling and taking care of the environment. As a result, the region’s rate of recycling is at an all-time high and continues to exceed the national average. So, in honor of those accomplishments, we’re using Earth Week to recognize several organizations that we’ve Caught Blue Handed — making a difference by diverting material from the landfill.
You won’t want to miss these empowering sustainability stories.
City of Columbus
In 2023, the city launched three food scrap collection locations (Scioto Southland Park, Anheuser-Busch Sports Park, and Dodge Park and Recreation Center) which accept a variety of food waste items and are completely free to use. With the addition of these sites, thirteen central Ohio communities now host food waste collection programs and are diverting hundreds of tons of food waste from the landfill.
Hikma Pharmaceutical
![Cardboard baler](/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Document.jpg")
Hikma is a contract pharmaceutical manufacturer in central Ohio that takes recycling seriously. The recent addition of a cardboard baler to their operations, coupled with many other sustainability practices the business has already implemented, has increased their landfill diversion to 77%, surpassing the current goal of 75%.
MY Project USA
Primarily serving immigrant communities, MY Project USA received a grant from SWACO to help connect families and students with sustainability education. As a result, each week, more than 600 individuals receive this important information, which includes ways to reduce waste and recycle right.
New Albany Intermediate School
In 2023, New Albany Intermediate School used grant funding from SWACO to begin cafeteria food waste collection and an offsite composting program. Check out this cool video to learn how they have cut their cafeteria waste nearly in half and are composting 700 pounds of food waste per week.
Olentangy the Condominiums
Olentangy the Condominiums is a homeowners association located in Franklin County and is working to help residents increase their recycling. The HOA purchased two new dumpsters and contracted with Waste Management to pave the way for hundreds of families and residents without access to a curbside recycling program to fulfill their desire to recycle and live more sustainably.
Pelotonia
Last year, Pelotonia improved recycling and composting signage at their Opening Ceremony event. As a result, the additional signage helped an estimated 10,500 event attendees properly dispose of 980 pounds of compostable material (food scraps and compostable service ware) and 1.98 tons of recyclable material.
Rescuing Leftover Cuisine
As an expansion of its initial efforts to reduce waste and end hunger in the central Ohio region, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine has surpassed its original goal of food rescue efforts. As of December 2023, 15,154 pounds of food amounted to 12,628 meals provided to 1,804 people, all while avoiding 28,762 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
Congratulations to all these partners whose efforts are making a difference in the lives of central Ohioans and our environment. SWACO is pleased to be supporting these activities.
Together, we can make a difference!
