Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Upper Arlington
Trash Day
Trash is collected Monday through Thursday depending on your zone: Zone 1 (Monday) south of Canterbury Rd/west of Tremont Rd and south of Lane Ave; Zone 2 (Tuesday) north of Canterbury Rd, south of Fishinger Rd, and west of Tremont Rd; Zone 3 (Wednesday) north of Lane Ave and east of Tremont/Reed Rd; Zone 4 (Thursday) north of Fishinger Rd and west of Reed Rd.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on your regular collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on your regular collection day.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (set out after 6:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash, recycling, yard waste, and stormwater utility charges are consolidated into a single semi-annual utility invoice mailed directly by the City.
Billing Cycle
Semi-Annual (billed twice per year in January and June)
Accepted Methods
Online (eSuites), Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Resident homeowners aged 60 and older qualify for a senior discount on the solid waste base fee. Medical exemptions for free at-the-door service are also available for disabled residents.
Standard City-Issued Cart (95-gallon provided free) Bin (Trash)
Trash carts must be placed at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. Ensure the lid is completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste (if not composted at the MSC)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓General solid refuse
Blue City-Issued Cart (65-gallon provided free) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be clean, dry, and placed loosely in the recycling cart. Never use standard blue or black garbage bags for recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and office paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and clear clamshells (with lids reattached)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (metal lids removed)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans (aerosol without tips)
- ✓Shredded paper (in a clear plastic bag only)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Standard plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam and foam containers
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Tanglers (wires, garden hoses, string lights)
- ✕Plastic party cups (e.g., Solo cups)
Yard Waste Bin
Place in biodegradable brown paper bags or rigid containers clearly marked 'Yard Waste Only'. Brush must be tied in bundles no larger than 4 feet by 2 feet.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Twigs and weeds
- ✓Branches (under 2 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash collection day
Placement
Place items at the curb alongside your standard carts by 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday).
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (MUST be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Rolled carpeting (cut to manageable lengths)
- ✓ Standard household appliances (freon-free)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires and large auto parts
- ✕ Liquid paints and motor oil
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste and batteries
Standard items are collected at no extra charge. However, appliances containing Freon (like refrigerators) may incur an additional fee. Call Local Waste Services to arrange payment before placing these at the curb.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on or before your designated collection day (Monday-Thursday), your service will be delayed by one day for that week only.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is picked up by Local Waste Services on the same day as your trash, meaning it follows the exact same holiday delay schedule.
If a holiday falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, there is absolutely no delay in collection for any of the four city zones.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter (Post-Holiday)
December - JanuaryInstead of throwing away broken strings of holiday lights, take them to the special drop-off bin located at the rear of the Municipal Services Center. Do not put lights in your curbside recycling bin, as they tangle sorting machinery.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring peak leaf-fall season, yard waste limits apply. Ensure all landscaping debris is securely bagged in biodegradable paper sacks or bundled strictly to the 4-foot by 2-foot dimension limit. Heavy or oversized branches will be left behind.
Year-Round Holiday Overlaps
January - DecemberBecause Upper Arlington's collection routes only run from Monday through Thursday, federal holidays falling on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday will never cause a delay to your residential trash schedule.
Local Tips & Community Info
Residential Solid Waste Program in Upper Arlington
The municipal refuse program in Upper Arlington is designed to keep neighborhoods clean through a dedicated partnership with Local Waste Services. Under this contract, every household receives a complimentary 95-gallon trash cart and a 65-gallon recycling toter. Collections happen on a reliable weekly basis, ensuring waste does not accumulate. If a single cart is not enough for your family's needs, additional toters can be rented for a small monthly fee, which is billed annually. It is important to remember that all regular household garbage must fit inside the provided bins to maintain a tidy streetscape.
Curbside Recycling Guidelines
Recycling is highly encouraged and included in your standard service without extra charges. However, avoiding contamination is crucial. All items, including cardboard boxes, glass jars, metal cans, and plastic bottles, must be placed loosely into your 65-gallon toter. Never bag your recyclables, as plastic bags interfere with the sorting facility's machinery. The only permitted exception to the bagging rule is shredded paper, which should be secured in a clear plastic bag. Please avoid tossing styrofoam, electronics, batteries, or window glass into the recycling cart.
Yard Waste Collection and Disposal
Because open burning of leaves and brush is strictly prohibited by local ordinance, Upper Arlington provides comprehensive yard waste removal on your designated trash day. You can use biodegradable brown paper bags or a rigid container clearly marked with a 'Yard Waste Only' decal, which the city provides upon request. If you are trimming trees, branches must be tied in bundles no larger than four feet long and two feet wide, with individual limbs kept under two inches in diameter. Residents also have the alternative option of dropping off organic materials for free at the Ohio Mulch facility on Roberts Road.
Managing Large and Bulky Items
Disposing of heavy household goods is highly convenient. Local Waste Services will haul away bulk items, such as outdated appliances or broken furniture, on your normal pickup morning. There is no need to make an appointment; simply have the objects at the curb by 7:00 a.m. To comply with sanitary regulations, any upholstered furniture, mattresses, and box springs must be completely encased in plastic wrap before being set outside. Additionally, appliances that contain refrigerants, like freezers or dehumidifiers, might require special preparation and could incur a supplemental handling fee.
Recognized Holidays and Schedule Adjustments
Throughout the year, your pickup routine may shift due to recognized holidays. Local Waste Services observes six specific dates: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. When one of these major holidays falls on a weekday, all subsequent collections for that week are pushed back by one day. If the holiday happens to fall on a weekend, the standard Monday through Friday schedule remains completely uninterrupted.
Drop-off Facilities
Upper Arlington Municipal Services Center (MSC)
3600 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Materials Accepted
SWACO (Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio)
Various locations across Franklin County
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my trash or recycling was missed?
You must report a missed pickup to Local Waste Services or the Upper Arlington Public Service Department within 24 hours of your normal collection day to ensure a prompt recovery.
How do I get rid of toxic items like old paint and chemicals?
Household hazardous waste like wet paint and flammable liquids cannot go in standard trash. You must utilize the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) drop-off facility for proper disposal.
Where can I dispose of unwanted prescription medications?
The Upper Arlington Police Division hosts national drug take-back events every spring and fall at Fire Station 72, allowing you to drop off old prescriptions safely via a drive-through setup.