By recycling and properly disposing of materials, communities help reduce pollution, contribute to clean water, conserve limited natural resources and reduce central Ohio’s reliance on landfills. Because some materials are not accepted in residential recycling, SWACO has contracts in place to facilitate recycling and proper disposal of the follow materials:
Electronic waste (e-waste) — almost any discarded electronic device that has a cord or battery — is one of the fastest-growing waste sectors in the United States. SWACO’s E-Waste Diversion Program assists local communities with environmentally friendly disposal options for e-waste and is open to all of the cities, villages, townships and school districts located within the County.
Through SWACO’s Community Waste Reduction Grant program, governmental entities (cities, townships, villages, parks, and schools) and non-profit organizations in Franklin County can receive funding to help offset the costs associated with waste reduction, diversion, and recycling.
Through SWACO’s Event Waste Reduction Grant, reimbursement funding is available for activities that increase waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting, as well as diversion-related outreach and education activities that promote public awareness of the importance of these activities.
A growing number of Central Ohio communities have launched community food waste drop-off programs where residents can drop-off their food scraps free of charge. Visit At Home - Save More Than Food - Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative to learn more about the twelve communities currently offering this important resource.
SWACO offers grants, signage and technical assistance to any community interested in creating food waste drop-off sites.
SWACO contracts with Environmental Enterprises Incorporated (EEI) to offer free residential recycling for Household Hazardous Waste. At EEI’s facility in Columbus, residents can bring accepted waste items for recycling and/or environmentally safe disposal. The program is not offered to businesses. SWACO also partners with local communities to offer several mobile collection events each year for residents. Visit Household Hazardous Waste to learn more.
2026 Collection Events
Expanded polystyrene or “Styrofoam” is not currently accepted in residential curbside recycling in Franklin County. Because of its light weight, Styrofoam requires special machines to compress it down into a product that’s cost effective for transport.
A grant from SWACO allowed the City of Hilliard to purchase Franklin County’s first Styrofoam densifier in 2021. As a result, Styrofoam recycling is available free of charge to Hilliard residents and communities like Dublin who are partnering with Hilliard to create additional opportunities for Styrofoam recycling. Visit Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam) | Recycle Right to learn more.