Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Pickerington
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.
Brown or Dark Green (Rumpke Cart) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed at the curb the night before or by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. Empty bins must be removed from the curb by the evening after collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Green Cart (with Yellow Lid) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables; place them loosely in your Rumpke recycling cart. All plastic film and bags must be returned to local grocery stores instead of the curbside bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Food residue
Yard Waste Bin
Use biodegradable paper yard bags or bundle brush with twine (max 4 feet long and 50 lbs). Never place yard waste in your recycling cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Available on regular trash days with advance notice
Placement
All upholstered items, such as mattresses and couches, must be tightly wrapped in plastic sheeting and taped securely to protect sanitation workers from bed bugs.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and bulky furniture (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Refrigerators (Freon must be removed by a certified technician)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Car tires
- ✕ Liquid paints and chemicals
- ✕ Heavy construction or demolition materials
- ✕ Car batteries
While standard bulk items are often included, excessive amounts of waste, specialized Freon appliances, or heavy materials may incur an additional hauling fee directly from Rumpke.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If one of Rumpke's six observed holidays falls on a weekday on or before your scheduled collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard household trash.
Minor holidays such as Presidents' Day, Juneteenth, and Veterans Day do not cause any delays to the residential collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Film Plastics Out
Never bag your recyclables or place loose plastic grocery bags in your Rumpke cart. Thin plastics tangle in the automated sorting equipment and halt the recycling process.
Flatten and Cut Cardboard
Cardboard boxes should be completely flattened to save space. Extremely large boxes may need to be cut down into 3-foot by 3-foot squares so they fit easily inside the cart without jamming.
Rinse Out Food Containers
A quick rinse of your glass jars, plastic tubs, and aluminum cans prevents food residue from soaking into the paper and cardboard items sharing the same bin.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryFollowing the holidays, Rumpke collects live Christmas trees at the curb. All lights, tinsel, wire, and ornaments must be fully removed, and large trees should be cut in half before placement.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf drop, remember that the City of Pickerington typically provides an annual leaf pickup program. Otherwise, excess leaves must be put in biodegradable bags for Rumpke yard waste collection.
Summer
July to AugustDuring extreme heat waves, Rumpke crews may begin their routes earlier than usual to avoid peak afternoon temperatures. Always place your bins out the night before collection to ensure you aren't missed.
About Pickerington Waste Management
Exclusive Residential Hauling through Rumpke
The City of Pickerington maintains an exclusive municipal contract with Rumpke Waste & Recycling to handle all standard curbside residential trash and recycling collections. While residents establish their water and sewer utilities directly through the City's Utility Billing Department, households must contact Rumpke directly at 1-800-828-8171 to establish waste service, request standardized rolling carts, and schedule specialized bulk pickups.
Senior Citizen Discounts for Refuse Service
Pickerington prioritizes keeping utility costs manageable for older residents by offering a dedicated Senior Citizen discount on weekly trash collection. Eligible residents must proactively contact Rumpke at their specialized support line (1-888-786-7531) to verify their age and have the discounted rate applied directly to their household waste billing account.
The Coshocton-Fairfield-Licking-Perry (CFLP) Alliance
Because Rumpke cannot accept hazardous materials like wet paint, automotive fluids, or heavy chemicals in curbside bins, Pickerington residents benefit from the city's membership in the CFLP Solid Waste District. This four-county government agency provides extensive drop-off programs, localized recycling drives, and specialized funding to ensure hard-to-dispose-of toxic materials are kept out of local Fairfield County landfills.
Strict Preparation for Yard Waste Diversion
To ensure organic matter is properly processed and kept out of single-stream recycling trucks, Pickerington residents must prepare yard waste carefully. Grass clippings and leaves must be placed in compostable paper yard bags—never in plastic trash bags. Tree limbs and shrub trimmings must be cut to lengths of four feet or shorter, tied securely with natural twine, and weigh less than 50 pounds per bundle.
Drop-off Facilities
The Rumpke Recycling & Resource Center
1190 Joyce Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash service for the City of Pickerington?
The City of Pickerington contracts exclusively with Rumpke Waste & Recycling for all residential trash and recycling collections. Residents must call Rumpke directly at 1-800-828-8171 to set up their service.
How do I throw away a mattress in Pickerington?
To throw away a mattress, you must first call Rumpke 24 hours before your normal collection day to schedule a bulk pickup. The mattress (and any box spring or upholstered furniture) must be completely wrapped in plastic and sealed with tape before being placed at the curb.
Does Pickerington offer a trash discount for seniors?
Yes, Rumpke offers a specialized senior citizen discount for eligible Pickerington residents. You can request this discount by calling their dedicated line at 1-888-786-7531 to verify your eligibility.
Where can I dispose of hazardous waste like paint or oil in Fairfield County?
Pickerington residents can utilize the services of the Coshocton-Fairfield-Licking-Perry (CFLP) Solid Waste District. They manage hard-to-dispose-of items and hazardous chemicals that cannot be placed in your regular Rumpke trash cart.