Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chillicothe
Ohio waste management services operate on weekly zone-based schedules. Exact pickup days vary based on your local municipality or private franchise hauler.
State Mandate
Ohio EPA regulations prohibit the disposal of whole scrap tires in standard landfills.
Personal Can or Bag-Only Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed in plastic bags at least 1.5 mils thick and securely tied. Individual bags must not exceed 40 pounds. Place at the curb or alley by 6:00 a.m. (no earlier than 24 hours prior).
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
City-issued 95-gallon cart Bin (Recycling)
Collection is every other week. All items must be placed loosely inside the cart without sorting or bagging.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and pizza boxes (free of grease)
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and mail
- ✓Aluminum and tin food cans
- ✓Glass bottles (broken or intact)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (mouth smaller than base)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and wrap
- ✕Yogurt cups, K-cups, and deli containers
- ✕Styrofoam of any kind
- ✕Needles and batteries
- ✕Scrap metal and hardware
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in brown biodegradable bags. Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet. Once prepped, email [email protected] or call 740-773-9715 for pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Sticks and branches (under 4 feet)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Annually (Late May through June)
Placement
Place approved bulk items at the street curb, completely separated from your regular household trash. Alleys will not be serviced during the bulk sweep.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and upholstered chairs
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Rolled carpet
- ✓ General large furniture
- ✓ Dried paint (must be mixed with sawdust)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Stoves, washers, and dryers
- ✕ Refrigerators, freezers, and A/C units
- ✕ Televisions, computers, and radios
- ✕ Construction materials (drywall, wood)
- ✕ Tires, batteries, and hazardous chemicals
This annual sweep is provided as a free municipal service to residents, but prohibited items like appliances must be disposed of privately at the owner's expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a recognized city holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and the remainder of the week are typically delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
On-demand yard waste and annual leaf collection routes may also be adjusted around major holidays or severe weather events.
During the Annual Large Item Pickup in late May, weeks containing a holiday (like Memorial Day) will feature adjusted neighborhood bulk collection dates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
The Shredded Paper Exception
While plastic bags are strictly prohibited in your 95-gallon recycling cart, there is one unique exception: shredded paper. If you have shredded documents, you must secure them in a clear plastic trash bag before tossing them in the recycling bin.
Skip the Deli and Yogurt Tubs
Not all household plastics belong in the bin. While plastic bottles and jugs with mouths narrower than their bases are perfect, Chillicothe's recycling program does not accept plastic tubs, deli meat containers, yogurt cups, or K-cups.
Secure Your Sharps and Glass
Never throw loose needles, broken glass, or syringes into a standard plastic garbage bag. Medical waste must be placed in a hard plastic container with a secure cap before entering your regular trash to prevent worker injuries.
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryLive Christmas trees are collected during a special pickup window in early to mid-January on your regularly scheduled garbage day. Ensure all lights, ornaments, and stands are fully removed before placing at the curb.
Spring
May - JuneThe Annual Large Item Pickup sweeps through the city from late May through June. Pay close attention to local media or the city website to find the exact week assigned to your regular trash day.
Fall
November - DecemberThe city's continuous leaf collection program begins in early November. Rake leaves to the tree lawn or curb, but do not mix in brush or sticks, as this will heavily damage the city's vacuum machinery.
About Chillicothe Waste Management
Bag-Based Household Refuse Collection
Unlike many modern municipalities that have transitioned to automated carts for standard garbage, Chillicothe maintains a specific bagged refuse system. Residents must place all household waste inside securely tied plastic garbage bags that are at least 1.5 mils thick. To protect sanitation workers, individual bags must not exceed 40 pounds. If you use a personal trash can to hold these bags, be aware that the city is not liable for damage to plastic cans in freezing weather, and unbagged waste will be left behind.
The 95-Gallon Bi-Weekly Recycling Initiative
Chillicothe is committed to sustainability through its robust bi-weekly recycling program. Each participating household is provided a 95-gallon, two-wheeled cart equipped with an attached lid. For a minimal monthly fee of $4.00 integrated into your utility bill, you can easily recycle cardboard, glass, metals, and standard plastics. The system is single-stream, meaning all approved materials can be mixed together—just ensure they remain loose and never bundled inside plastic grocery bags.
On-Demand and Drop-Off Yard Waste Options
Managing organic debris is flexible for Chillicothe residents. You can take advantage of the free Yard Waste Drop-Off Site on Renick Avenue every Wednesday and Saturday morning, provided you are a resident and not a commercial contractor. If you prefer curbside convenience, simply pack your grass clippings in brown biodegradable bags, tie your branches into four-foot bundles, and contact the Service Department directly to request an on-demand pickup.
Annual Large Item Spring Sweep
Rather than offering year-round bulk pickup, the city organizes an intensive annual Large Item Pickup event, typically running from late May through June. During this localized sweep, crews tackle neighborhoods on a rolling schedule based on your normal garbage collection day. This is the perfect time to clear out old sofas, mattresses, and rolled carpet, though major appliances and construction materials are strictly prohibited.
Innovative Continuous Leaf Collection
Autumn brings a flurry of falling leaves, and the city tackles this with a dynamic collection strategy starting in early November. Instead of tying leaf pickup strictly to your designated trash day, the Service Department crews make continuous rounds throughout the city's zones. This method allows the department to adapt to heavy leaf volumes, unpredictable Ohio weather, and ensures cleaner streets.
Drop-off Facilities
Renick Avenue Yard Waste Drop-Off
Renick Avenue, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Materials Accepted
RPHF Solid Waste District Office (Ross County)
15 N Paint Street Suite 301, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proper way to dispose of cardboard boxes for standard trash?
For regular garbage collection, cardboard boxes cannot be left whole. They must be broken down, split, and securely tied in a bundle weighing no more than 40 pounds and measuring under four feet in length. Alternatively, you can cut cardboard into smaller pieces and place it loose in your 95-gallon recycling cart.
How do I get the city to pick up my yard waste?
Chillicothe offers on-demand curbside yard waste pickup. Place your debris in brown biodegradable bags, tie your sticks into bundles no longer than 4 feet, and then call 740-773-9715 or email [email protected] to notify the crews your waste is ready for pickup.
Why did the sanitation workers leave a red sticker on my personal trash can?
A red sticker placed on a personal trash container indicates that the can is damaged, unsafe, or unfit for continued use. It serves as an official warning that the container should be retired, and city crews will not empty it or return it to you the following week.
Can I leave appliances on the curb during the Annual Large Item Pickup?
No. Due to local transfer station restrictions, the city cannot collect any large appliances. Items such as refrigerators, stoves, hot water tanks, air conditioning units, washers, and dryers are strictly prohibited and must be hauled away privately.