Trash & Recycling in Columbus, GA (2026)
8 verified trash & recycling rules for Columbus, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Columbus, Georgia sets exact curbside windows for trash carts: containers can go out starting 5:30 p.m. the evening before collection in residential districts, or 4:00 p.m. on collection day downtown, and every container must come back in the same day service happens.
Columbus, Georgia Curbside Placement & Pickup Times
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 13-167.2(3); § 13-167.3(A)(3)
(3)All solid waste containers shall:(a)Be maintained in a sanitary condition by the owner, owner's agent, or occupant as required by the provisions herein;(b)Be easily accessible to the collection vehicle on the day of collection, as determined by the department of public works;(c)Be protected at all times from weather conditions, animals and circumstances that may cause it to be littered. [Sec...
Bin Placement Rules
Columbus, Georgia limits residential garbage and recycling carts to curbside placement no earlier than 5:30 p.m. the day before pickup, and requires removal the same day collection occurs.
Trash Cart Set-Out Times in Columbus, Georgia
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 13-167.3
(3)Placement and removal of disposable and nondisposable containers for and after solid waste collection shall be regulated as follows:(a)All containers shall be located off the public right-of-way or shall be left inside the building and/or structure until the day of collection...(c)In no case shall containers be placed in such a position so as to obstruct the sidewalk, the gutter, or the free...
Bulk Item Disposal
Columbus, Georgia's solid waste code lets the Department of Public Works collect bulky junk that will not fit in a standard cart: items under 100 pounds get picked up on request, while heavier debris and locked refrigerators must be hauled to a city-authorized disposal site or have the lock removed first. Tree limb removal by the city carries a set fee.
Columbus, Georgia Bulk & Junk Item Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 13-167.2(11)
(11)Collection and disposal of junk shall be regulated as follows:(a)Junk that will not fit into approved containers shall be placed adjacent to said containers for collection.(b)Junk weighing less than 100 pounds which cannot be collected by the standard garbage packer truck services shall, upon request, be collected by the department of public works, said services shall be arranged by the own...
Recycling Requirements
Columbus, Georgia's commercial and institutional solid waste rate bundles a mandatory 95-gallon curbside recyclables container alongside the garbage cart, billed monthly through the consolidated government's collection service.
Columbus, Georgia Requires Curbside Recycling Cart
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 13-169(1)
A minimum rate of $26.00 per month for one 95-gallon container for the disposal of garbage/trash and one 95-gallon container for the disposal of recyclables collected at the curbside or on the city right-of-way... Collection will occur along with regular waste collection schedules.
Illegal Dumping
Columbus, Georgia bans dumping solid waste, noxious materials, or offensive liquids on any land, street, or waterway, with a $500 minimum fine for a first offense under the consolidated government's solid waste article.
Columbus, Georgia Bans Illegal Dumping
Heavy RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 13-167.7(A)(1)
No person shall deposit on, bury in, or cause to be deposited on or buried in any land, public square, street, sidewalk, alley, lane, vacant or unoccupied lot, or into any lake, watercourse, storm sewer, catch basin, or drainage ditch any noxious materials, odorous or offensive liquids, or solid waste materials, except in approved solid waste containers.
Yard Waste Collection
Columbus, Georgia collects leaves, grass clippings, and yard trimmings on scheduled days, and requires cut branches and limbs to be four feet or shorter and set curbside for pickup.
Columbus GA Yard Waste Collection
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 13-167.2(5), (7)
(5)All yard waste (hereinafter defined as leaves, grass clippings, pine needles and similar yard trimmings resulting from pruning or similar yard activities and rubbish and trash) shall be collected on scheduled days by the department of public works. Such materials may be placed in approved solid waste containers or disposable yard waste bags.(6)All branches, limbs, and shrubbery cut while pru...
Dumpster Rules
Columbus, Georgia requires commercial and multifamily dumpsters to sit at least 25 feet from a residential zoning district and be fully screened on all four sides with six-foot-high enclosures matching the principal building.
Commercial Dumpster Screening in Columbus, Georgia
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance § 4.2.1
A.Applicability. The requirements of this Section shall apply dumpsters for sanitation or recycling services that are visible from any public street or any residential use or zoning districts...B.Minimum Requirements.1.Location.(B)Distance from Residential Zoning Districts. Dumpsters shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from a residential zoning district, unless waived by the Director.2.Screen...
Collection Schedule
Every household, business and multifamily building in Columbus, Georgia must keep enough approved solid waste containers on hand for the Department of Public Works or a certified private hauler to service, and residential customers pay a flat $24.00 monthly fee billed through their water and sewer account.
Columbus, Georgia Mandatory Trash Collection Service
Some RestrictionsColumbus, Georgia Code of Ordinances § 13-167.2(1)
(1)The owner, his agent or occupant of each single-family household, business, industry and/or institution, and the owner, his agent or lessor of multifamily units shall provide a sufficient number of approved solid waste containers as specified by the department of public works to store all solid waste adequately and properly until removed by the department of public works or other certified a...