Curbside recycling services set to expand in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio, plans to expand its residential curbside recycling service this summer from every other week to weekly. The city hopes the more frequent collection service will increase the amount of recyclable material the city collects by 25 percent to 40 percent.

“Weekly recycling is coming,” Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther says. “I’m committed to providing this service to increase our recycling capacity, reduce carbon emissions in our city and promote a circular economy in the region that will help develop and grow green businesses right here in Columbus.”

Rumpke Waste & Recycling, headquartered in Cincinnati, provides collection service to the city of Columbus. With the new collection service plan slated to start this summer, Rumpke says it is working to prepare for the updated service routes. To help prepare for the influx of material, Rumpke is adding 17 trucks to its fleet and hiring 20 additional employees.

“As the mayor indicated, the large increase in recycling collections will help reduce the amount of waste that goes into the landfills,” Rumpke Area President Andrew Rumpke says. “We are eager and excited to bring this service to the people of Columbus.”

Rumpke tells Recycling Today it has been contracted with the city of Columbus to provide curbside recycling collection since 2012. In March, the city approved the contract renewal, modifying biweekly to weekly recycling collection. Rumpke says yard waste collection will remain on a biweekly schedule in the city.

According to a news release from Rumpke, the $17.3 million annual contract with Rumpke will help to offset the costs relating to new trucks and employees as well as increased insurance, maintenance, fuel and other costs. Rumpke says it is further supporting its program with Columbus through its $90 million investment in its new Recycling & Resource Center in the city. The company says the new center is expected to be the largest recycling center in North America and is scheduled to begin operations in 2024.

Rumpke currently is seeking applicants for driver positions in Columbus. The company says it provides free commercial driver license training for prospective drivers.