Spring Cleaning in Central Ohio

Mar 08, 2026

Spring cleaning season is here. It’s time to tackle closets, clean out garages, and sort through junk drawers. Spring cleaning offers a chance to refresh your space — and an opportunity to make more sustainable choices about what you no longer need while creating cleaner, more sustainable routines.

Too often, unwanted items end up in the trash simply because it feels like the easiest option. In reality, many of the things we clean out each spring can be donated, reused, recycled, composted or safely disposed of through alternative methods.

Here’s how to spring clean responsibly — without adding unnecessary waste.

Start by Sorting

Before reaching for trash bags, take a few minutes to sort items into four simple categories: 

• Donate or reuse 

• Recycle 

• Special disposal (electronics, batteries, paint, chemicals and other household hazardous waste) 

• Trash 

Most households find the trash pile is smaller than expected once everything is sorted. 

Pro tip: As you sort, ask yourself:
Could someone else use this, can it be repaired or does it need special handling?

Donate What You Can

Many common household items have reuse options in central Ohio, including: 

• Clothing and shoes 

• Furniture and small appliances 

• Tools and building materials 

• Books, dishes and household goods 

Use the Choose to Reuse map to find donation and repair locations by item type across Columbus and Franklin County. 

Pro tip:
Before donating, check facility hours and accepted items.

Repurpose Items

Some items may seem like they’ve reached the end of their life, but often they just need to be repurposed. Reusing items around your home can reduce waste and save money. 

• Old towels and T-shirts can become washable cleaning rags 

• Citrus peels can be turned into a vinegar-based cleaner 

• Extra lemons and salt work well for deodorizing cutting boards 

Simple reuse ideas like these reduce waste and replace disposable products you might otherwise buy. For more reuse ideas, visit www.swaco.org/choose2reuse. 

Check the Fridge and Freezer

Food waste is one of the largest sources of landfill material. Before cleaning out the refrigerator, take stock of what you already have and plan meals around items that need to be used soon. 

When food can’t be eaten, composting is the next best option. Central Ohio residents can drop-off food scraps at local sites across the area. 

Accepted items include: 

• Fruit and vegetable scraps 

• Coffee grounds and paper filters 

• Eggshells 

• Bread, grains and some prepared foods 

Find a food waste drop-off location near you and check accepted items before by visiting SaveMoreThanFood.org. 

Pro tip:
Not sure what to do with leftovers? Check out Save More Than Food’s Food Saving Recipes for inspiration. Also, practice food waste prevention by learning how to properly store food. Click here for more information. 

Proper Disposal

Some items can be hard to recycle — but central Ohio residents have more options than ever. 

Items such as power tool batteries, electronics, appliances, motor oil and more can be dropped off at the SWACO Recycling Convenience Center. These items should never be placed in curbside recycling carts or the trash. Check here for full list of accepted items before visiting. 

Household hazardous waste such as pool chemicals, pesticides, oxygen tanks and other hazardous materials should be taken to the SWACO Household Hazardous Waste Facility. To view more information about the facility, click here.  

When You’re Unsure, Check First 

Not sure where something belongs? SWACO’s Recycle Right website provides quick, local guidance for central Ohio residents. Taking a moment to check helps protect the environment and reduce waste. 

Have questions or want more sustainable spring cleaning tips? Join the Recycle Right at Home: Sustainable Spring Cleaning webinar on March 25th. 

Fall In Love With Sustainability This Month

Feb 05, 2026

This time of year can feel a little gray. The cold and snow may have you feeling like spring is a long way away, but with a few tips and a little commitment, brighter days will be here before you know it.

• Put on a sweater and turn your thermostat down a bit to save money and resources. If you have a smart thermostat, set its temperature lower during times of the day when you won’t be at home. You can expect to save 3% on your heating costs for every degree your thermostat is set below 68 degrees.
• Draw your curtains at night or reuse old blankets and sheets to help keep the heat in, and seal drafty doors and windows to keep the cold out.
• A nice hot shower can feel good this time of year, but it uses a lot of energy. Shorter showers that aren’t quite as hot will help save resources and also not dry out your skin as much. · Download SWACO’s Fresh Takes Guide, which compiles tips, tricks, recipes, and more to help you save money and cut food waste all year ‘round.

Red may be the color of love, but with some thoughtful choices, we can also make Valentine’s Day a little greener this year.

• Go on a sustainable date and show some love for your neighbors by volunteering together in your community.
• Use online resale platforms like Mercari or Facebook Marketplace to find second-hand luxury or sentimental items for your special someone. Better yet, there’s nothing more meaningful than a homemade gift.
• Remember that giftwrapping is recyclable as long as it doesn’t have glitter, foil, or other embellishments.
• Instead of giving gifts to each other this Valentine’s Day, make a gift to your community by donating gently used items to someone in need.
• For decorations, focus on flowers and other compostable or recyclable items. Better yet, consider gifting a potted plant instead of cut flowers for a gift that will last and last.
• Say no to disposable cutlery when getting takeout for date night at home. If you can, opt for reusable plates and silverware to save on waste.
• Remember, things like wine bottles and pizza boxes are recyclable, as are the plastic clamshell containers that some takeout food comes in.

A few thoughtful changes can make this time of year feel cozier and make Valentine’s Day more meaningful. Sustainability isn’t about doing everything all at once. It’s about making some changes that feel good to you and that you think you can keep up all year long to save money and resources.

Cupid-Approved Sustainable Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Feb 04, 2026

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you can still give a gift that your special someone will love—while keeping it sustainable. Thoughtful, eco-friendly gifts not only show love for your partner or friends but also for the environment. Here are five creative ways to celebrate love and sustainability this Valentine’s Day.

1. Adventure Dates
Who says date nights have to end on Feb. 14? Companies like Reach International Outfitters have created 50 date ideas in Ohio for all budgets, seasons, and preferences, so your adventures can continue year-round. For a personal touch, create a Ohio date night idea jar. Fill a jar with fun, creative date ideas—whether it’s a cozy coffee shop visit, a scenic hike, or an at-home movie night—and gift it to your loved one. This also works as a Palentine or Galentine’s Day activity with friends, making the gift even more fun and interactive.

2. DIY Sweet Treat Jar
Who doesn’t love sweets around the holidays? Skip the extra packaging from traditional heart-shaped boxes and fill a jar with your loved one’s favorite candies from a local candy shop in Ohio. You can also get creative with homemade treats to make the gift even more personal. This approach reduces waste and adds a heartfelt, homemade touch to your Valentine’s celebration.
For some inspiration, check out this tasty, sweet treat Save More Than Food recipe: https://savemorethanfood.org/resource/chocolate-fruit/

3. Thoughtful Treasures
Luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand. Use online resale platforms like Mercari or Facebook Marketplace to find second-hand luxury or sentimental items. From unique jewelry to meaningful keepsakes, these gifts are thoughtful, eco-friendly, and show that love doesn’t have to cost the earth. Choosing pre-loved items helps reduce waste while giving a meaningful, one-of-a-kind gift.

4. At-Home Barista Kits
Give the gift of cozy mornings together with a custom at-home DIY barista kit. Use local coffee beans and pottery from Central Ohio artisans, and include essentials such as a drip coffee maker or a matcha whisk. You can also make homemade syrups using common pantry ingredients like sweet potatoes, honey and cinnamon, or leftover chocolate candy. This thoughtful and budget-friendly gift allows your loved one to enjoy a café experience at home while supporting local businesses and reducing single-use packaging.

5. Memorable Experiences
Sometimes the best gifts aren’t things—they’re memories. Consider giving a Valentine’s experience that you can enjoy together, such as a relaxing spa treatment at a local wellness business, a romantic hike or staycation in Hocking Hills, or a day trip to Lake Erie to watch the frozen waves. Experience gifts create lasting memories, support local businesses, and reduce waste—all while giving your loved one a unique and thoughtful Valentine’s Day surprise.

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This Valentine’s Day, celebrate love in a way that’s fun, heartfelt, and kind to the environment. Thoughtful, sustainable gifts show your care for the people you love—and the planet we all share.

Tackle Waste Next Weekend With SWACO

Jan 28, 2026

SWACO has teamed up with more than three dozen local pizzerias to encourage Franklin County residents to recycle their greasy pizza boxes once they’re empty, with the announcement timed to coincide with the big game on February 8th.  Nationwide, more than 12 million pizzas are ordered on Super Bowl Sunday and, as of about a year ago, even greasy pizza boxes are now recyclable in Franklin County.

Residents should simply make sure all the food is out of the box and, if it has a liner, put that in the trash, then flatten the box and put it in their curbside bin.  New technology upgrades mean that food grease will no longer take away from the final quality of the recycled product.  Residents without access to curbside recycling can find a cardboard recycling drop-off location near them at RecycleRight.org.

SWACO has purchased more than 55,000 stickers which will be placed on carryout pizza boxes at participating pizzerias to remind consumers that the boxes are recyclable and provide more information about how and where to properly dispose of them.  This year’s 38 participating pizzerias is up from 27 last year.

Cardboard makes up more than 10% of what comes to the Franklin County landfill, so every additional pizza box that makes it into the recycling stream instead of the trashcan is a win for our community.  Even more of what gets thrown away in central Ohio is food waste (14%), with a million pounds per day coming to the landfill.  Residents can learn more about recycling pizza boxes and find both cardboard and food waste drop-off sites near them at RecycleRight.org.

Participating Pizzerias:

• Flyer’s – 10 locations
• Mikey’s Late Night Slice – Eight locations
• Dewey’s Pizza – Three locations
• Tammy’s Pizza – Two locations
• Fibonacci’s Pizza – Two locations
• Black Dog Pizza in Dublin
• Ronetti’s Pizza of London
• Woody’s Tavern on the OSU campus
• Donatos at Oxley To Go on the OSU campus
• Curl Market Patio Pizza on the OSU campus
• Marketplace on Neil on the OSU campus
• The Pizza House in Columbus
• Elevated Pizza Kitchen in Columbus
• Pizza Primo in Worthington
• Pizza Nerds in Gahanna
• Harvest Pizzeria in Bexley
• Panzera’s Pizza in Grandview
• Pies & Pints at Easton

Recycling String Lights and Other Electronic Waste Is a Bright Idea during Holidays or Any Time of the Year

Dec 03, 2025

‘Tis the season to be merry and bright and holiday string lights help set the mood. Did you know that most discarded electronics, or E-waste such as string lights, can be recycled into other useful products? Specialized recycling programs can recover metals from old electronics like copper, iron, and steel, while toxic elements such as lead, cadmium, and beryllium are captured for proper safe disposal. Best of all, recycling E-waste reduces the need to mine for rare earth minerals such as lithium, while reducing the amount of waste that’s going to our landfills.

Almost any item that has batteries or a cord to plug in counts as E-waste, and most kinds can be recycled.

Fortunately, our community has many ways and places to recycle unwanted electronics and, this time of year, there are also seasonal programs that collect holiday lights for recycling. Check out the list below to find a collection point near you and be sure to click the link to learn about what kinds of E-waste are accepted at each one and what its hours of operation are.

Seasonal Holiday Lights Recycling Programs

• SWACO Recycling Convenience Center, 2566 Jackson Pike in Columbus 

• Bexley, 2100 Clifton Ave. 

• Grove City Hall, 4035 Broadway plus other various locations 

• New Albany Village Hall, 99 W. Main St., plus other various locations 

• Plain Township Fire Department, 9500 Johnstown Rd.  

• Upper Arlington Municipal Services Ctr., 3600 Tremont Rd. 

• Westerville Electric Division, 139 E. Broadway Ave. 

Year-Round Electronics Drop-Off Locations (also accepting string lights) 

• SWACO Recycling Convenience Center, 2566 Jackson Pike in Columbus 

• Columbus Micro Systems, 5087 Westerville Rd. in Columbus 

• 1550 Georgesville Rd. in Columbus 

• 2100 Alum Creek Dr. in Columbus 

• Dublin Services Center, 6555 Shier-Rings Rd. 

• Jackson Twp. Admin Building, 3756 Hoover Rd. 

• Upper Arlington Public Service Ctr., 4100 Roberts Rd. 

• Westerville Public Service Dept., 350 Park Meadow Rd. 

• Worthington Service & Engineering Dept., 380 Highland Ave. 

If your community is hosting a seasonal string light recycling opportunity that you’d like added to this list, please send an email with event details to media@swaco.org.  

For more information about recycling, visit RecycleRight.org or, for more information about reducing waste at the holidays, check out SWACO’s Green Holiday Guide. 

Gain Sustainability Without Losing Any Holiday Cheer

Dec 02, 2025

End of Life Clothing Recycling Locations

Sep 01, 2025

THE END OF LIFE CLOTHING RECYCLING PILOT HAS ENDED.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED! SWACO WILL BE SHARING THE RESULTS OF THE PILOT BY END OF 2025.

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We encourage you to continue keeping textiles out of the landfill. To do so, we recommend you:

• Donate old blankets and towels to dog shelters (please make sure they aren’t shredded or have any major holes – stained are OK)
• Upcycle old t-shirts into tote bags or dog toys
• Use old clothes or pieces of fabric as cleaning rags, also consider getting clothes repaired by a local tailor or seamstress
  • Want to learn how to repair clothes yourself or make new items? Consider taking a clothes mending or sewing class.

April 25, 2025:

Clothing and textile recycling opportunities aren’t widespread yet, but the technology and infrastructure needed to recycle our clothing are evolving quickly, and you can help! For a limited time, SWACO will work with several municipalities and select Goodwill locations to accept end-of-life clothing. For this pilot, end-of-life clothing is categorized as stained, ripped, or worn-out clothing that doesn’t meet donation standards. These items cannot realistically be sold or worn again.  If your clothing is in good condition, please consider donation before dropping off clothes through this recycling program.

During this pilot, end-of-life clothing will be recycled domestically with Leigh Fibers into various insulation products such as punching bags, bedding, home furnishings, padding in caskets, and more. The pilot’s goal is to remove end-of-life clothing from second-hand, global markets in places like Kenya, Ghana, and Pakistan, where it is likely to be landfilled or incinerated, which is not a desired outcome by anyone.  Together, we can responsibly address end-of-life clothing by supporting a young but growing US market where it can be recycled into usable products.

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What happens at the end of the pilot? We hope to demonstrate that we can collect enough end-of-life clothing in the right categories to design an ongoing, cost-effective collection program.  We consider this a true “field experiment,” and we will learn a lot. If you’re reading this, we hope that you’ll be interested enough to participate!

Get Involved!

What’s Accepted

• 100% polyester clothing
• All types of denim (shirts, pants, shorts, etc.)
• Miscellaneous items – bras without underwire, gloves, old blankets, old sheets, old towels, pantyhose/stockings, socks and underwear
• Sweatshirts and fleeces with zippers
• T-shirts and sweatshirts

*Everything should be clean and dry before dropping off. Stains and tears are okay.

What’s Not Accepted

• Belts
• Bookbags
• Bras with underwire
• Down-filled coats or comforters
• Hats
• Leather
• Mattress pads
• Rain jackets
• Shoes
• Swimsuits

How To Keep Clothing In Circulation For Longer And Reduce Clothing Waste:

Reduce

• Purchase less clothing in general.
• Purchase pre-owned clothing.

• For clothes you may only wear once, such as graduation gowns or formal attire look for opportunities to rent instead of purchasing.  Nuuly offers rental options for prom dresses.

• Say no to event t-shirts and ask organizations who still produce them to reconsider this practice.

Reuse

• Clothing Swap Host or support a clothing swap.  Eventbrite is a great resource to learn about upcoming clothing swaps in your area.

• Clothing Donation

1. • Return items such as spirit wear to your local PTO and ask them to offer it back to kids in the school system.

• • Donate your clothing to an organization serving the local community.  Contact your local school, place of worship and ask them for information about nearby organizations that need specific items.

• • Donate good condition clothing to charitable organizations such as Goodwill, Ohio Thrift, and Volunteers of America. The money these organizations earn through resale funds many important behavioral and mental health programs for Americans. Locate your nearest drop-off site here.

• • Sell or donate your clothing through a local consignment store or companies such as ThredUp.

Repair

• Consider repairing clothes with iron-on patches or mending. Some brands like Patagonia offer repair options with DIY videos or mail-in programs.

• Your local dry cleaner may have a sewist on site who can handle most mending work, or you can check out companies like OldFlameMending who offer mail in mending services and classes.

Downcycle – Brands

• Buy from brands that offer return programs like Nike, Eileen Fisher, H&M, and The North Face.

Downcycle – by Category

• Shoes – Consider Soles4souls which is partnering with Zappos to keep shoes out of landfills.  You can ship for free.  Learn more about Soles4souls.

• Underwear – Send your used items to Subset (formerly Knickeys).  You can ship for free. They will recycle it and also will send you a coupon for purchases on their site.

• Socks – Send your socks to Smartwool who has sponsored the Second Cut Project.  You can ship for free and they will recycle.
• Denim – can also be downcycled through BlueJeansGoGreen. You can print a free shipping label and mail your denim or locate a retailer on their website.
• Miscellaneous – Trashie Take Back Bag – NYC-based Trashie charges $20 for your textile waste (fabric cuttings and garments that are torn or worn out, at their end of life).

Tackle Sustainability this Football Season

Aug 18, 2025

For many, football season is more than just the big game. It is a time of connection, celebration and making memories. Football season is filled with tailgates, barbecue and halftime performances.

But what happens when the lights dim, and the fans leave the stadium? Litter and leftover food are usually left behind after a tailgate or a big game. Gear your team up this football season with these tips to help keep your side of the field a little greener

1. Tailgate tips:

• Travel: Coordinate travel with your friends and family before the big game day. It helps cut back on carbon emissions. Public transportation is another good option.
• Food and Drinks: Single-use plates and cutlery create a large amount of waste. Consider bringing reusable silverware and dishes. Instead of outsourcing your game day meal, try a potluck-style event. To prepare for your event, shop your pantry first to help cut down greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, individually packaged drinks create a lot of waste. So, ditch your non-reusable beverages and bring a pitcher and reusable glasses to cut back on single-use waste instead.

2. Sportswear: Seasonal and event-specific fan jerseys create unnecessary waste. Consider buying second-hand from your local thrift stores or making your jersey. Shopping in your closet can help you save money and keep textiles from ending up in the landfill.
3. Décor Tips: The thrift store is a great place to find sports décor as well as attire. Use what you already have handy, like leftover party gear from the year or two prior before purchasing new items. Going digital for your signs and invitations will also help you save some money and keep those items out of the landfill.

Sustainability at the Shoe: Last year, the SWACO WastEd podcast featured The Ohio State University’s Environmental Sustainability Specialist, Cecil Okotah, to discuss how the Shoe is practicing environmental stewardship.

The Zero Waste initiative started in 2011 and has grown exponentially since. Game days are filled with prominently displayed zero-waste stations and recyclable or compostable foodware. A new edition was installed in 2024 to further implement recognizable zero-waste bins in the club spaces. This campaign aims to divert 90% of the waste created during game day out of the landfill.

For more information on how The Ohio State University is making green goals toward sustainability or to hear more sustainable topics check out the WastEd podcast by clicking this link.

This football season, make every game day a win! Join the green team and make a touchdown for sustainability by making simple swaps.

Recycling Made Easier – SWACO’s Recycling Convenience Center

Jul 22, 2025

What is the Recycling Convenience Center?

SWACO’s Recycling Convenience Center is a location dedicated to housing recyclable material. The Recycling Convenience Center is for residents of Franklin County to safely dispose of their items. The Recycling Convenience Center exists to both store the recycled materials that Franklin County residents drop off and to set aside for SWACO to send off to partners. SWACO’s partners can reuse the material to create new items from the recycled objects. The symbiotic relationship between Franklin County residents and organizations makes the Recycling Convenience Center vital to the community.

So far, since opening in November of 2023, the Recycling Convenience Center has been able to help 3,667 people divert and recycle over 400,000 lbs (or over 200 tons) of material.

SWACO is always looking to expand the materials accepted at the Recycling Convenience Center. If you have questions or suggestions about recycled material, contact outreach@swaco.org.

What materials are accepted?

“Basic” or routine items that are accepted are…

• Cardboard and paper
• Carton containers
• Glass bottles and jars
• Metal cans and cups
• Plastic bottles and containers

Specialty items that are accepted are…

• Appliances
• Batteries (household and car)
• Bicycles
• Books
• Clothing
• Computer monitors*
• Fats, oils, and greases
• Fluorescent lightbulbs (including CFLS, Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs)
• Food Waste
• Live trees and greenery (seasonal or holiday) through December 14^th – January 31^st
• Household electronics
• Latex-based paint
• Oil-based paint and spray paint
• Prescription pills bottles with lids (must be empty)
• Select yard waste (logs, limbs and branches, untreated woodchips and brush)
• String lights
• Styrofoam packaging (packing peanuts and food containers NOT accepted)
• Televisions*
• Tires*
• Used motor oil, antifreeze, and oil filters

All items with a * by their name require a fee to dispose of.

Fees for items

• Tires – $5.00 per tire
• LCD TV Monitor – $15.00
• CRTs Below 20’” – $25.00
• CRTs Below 35” – $35.00
• CRTs Above 35” – $45.00

SWACO accepts credit, debit, and check payments only.

LCD TVs are flat screens (not computer monitors)

CRT TVs are old-fashion, cube-like TVS/monitors

To find out more about the end-of-life clothing program go to https://recycleright.org/end-of-life-clothing-drop-off-sites/

Household Hazardous Waste: To find out more about how you can dispose of your household hazardous waste (HHW) go to SWACO.org, click on Recycle Right and scroll down to household hazardous waste, or read about it here https://www.swaco.org/195/Household-Hazardous-Waste

The household hazardous waste facility is located at 645 E. 8^th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201 (The corner of E. 8^th and Essex Avenue). Their hours, Monday through Friday, are between 9 AM to 5 PM. On the first Saturday of the month, they are open from 9 AM to 2 PM

What is not accepted?

• Trash
• Medical waste
• Propane tanks or any HHW materials
• Packing peanuts
• Food containers

Who can help me when I arrive?

When you pull in, a SWACO attendant will assist you with unloading your items. Our attendants are a huge help and can help with big or small items. They can also make sure that what you are trying to dispose of is appropriate for our facility.

Where is the Recycling Convenience Center?

The Recycling Convenience Center is located at 2566 Jackson Pike, Columbus, OH, 43223. One of our duo transfer stations resides there as well. If you have any questions when you arrive, look for a SWACO attendant.

Where does the recycled material go after you collect it?

SWACO partners with several wonderful organizations that collect the material that Franklin County residents drop off. These organizations can create new items from the recycled material, reinforcing SWACO’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

When is it open?

The Recycling Convenience Center is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

FAQ

What can I expect? -> When you pull in a SWACO attendant will assist you with unloading your items. Our attendants are a huge help and can help with big or small items.

I live outside of Franklin County. Can I use the site?-> No. This center is for Franklin County residents only.

Where do you take the recycled materials after you collect it? -> SWACO partners with several different organizations that use recycled materials.

Plastic Free July: Make a Local Impact on the Global Movement

Jul 01, 2025

As part of the Choose To Reuse initiative announced in April, SWACO is encouraging Franklin County residents to go plastic free this July. In partnership with two local soap refilleries–Resen Refillery and Natural Market in Grove City and ReWash Refillery in Clintonville–SWACO is providing a discount to customers who come into the store and mention “Choose To Reuse” when checking out.

SWACO will offer 25% off in-store purchases, with a maximum discount of $25 for each customer during the month of July to promote the global movement, Plastic Free July. The offer is for in-store purchases only and can be unlocked by saying “Choose To Reuse” when checking out.

By shopping at a refillery, you’re helping reduce the 380 million pounds of plastics that end up in the Franklin County Landfill each year.  Plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose and plastic that doesn’t make it to the landfill often becomes harmful roadside litter.

Some more easy plastic swaps for summer:

• Avoid using single-use plastic straws. Consider sustainable alternatives like stainless steel and bamboo, and even foldable reusable straws that you can easily keep in your purse or pocket.
• As you reach for refreshments this summer, choose environmentally friendly options, like reusable bottles made from stainless steel, glass, or aluminum.
• While grocery shopping, avoid plastic-wrapped fruits and vegetables. Look for loose produce and use reusable produce bags to transport these items home.
• Use washable plates and cutlery instead of plastic at your summer cookouts.
• Carry summer snacks for the park or pool in glass or steel containers instead of one-time-use zip-top bags.

Click to learn more about Choose To Reuse and Plastic Free July, and make a commitment to making a positive impact on the environment this summer. Find more tips all year long at RecycleRight.org, including SWACO’s Recycle & Reuse Search Tool to help you recycle properly and reduce waste. Together we can reuse and save this July.

July Events to Keep You Busy While Doing Good For Our Environment

This month is full of exciting, informative, and fun events to keep you busy and sustainable.

• The W.I.L.D. Zero Waste Challenge at the Columbus Zoo is your chance to take simple steps that add up to a big impact.  From saying no to single-use plastics, to packing your own water bottle or switching to reusable bags, you can earn points and rewards by completing challenges. Explore this fun challenge here.
• Find a treasured new read and help prevent waste at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Summer Big Book Sale. Items withdrawn from the library’s collection will be given a second chance at a well-read life July 11th through the 13th at the main library on Grant Avenue. Check it out today!
• Protecting the Planet: Kids In Action. Children aged two-to-twelve are invited to join Columbus Recreation and Parks staff at Whetstone Park on July 12 at 11:30 a.m. to learn about being part of the solution, not the pollution. There will be fun discussions about ways the kids and their families can help care for the environment and an activity to pick up litter at the park. Learn more here.
• Safely dispose of unwanted tires or pick up free mosquito dunks at the Franklin County Public Health Tire Amnesty drop-off events on July 12th on Cleveland Avenue and July 26th on Lockbourne Road.

Enjoy Summer -Sustainably!

Jun 18, 2025

Summer in central Ohio is full of outdoor adventures, community events, and time with friends and family. As you soak up the sunshine, it’s also a great opportunity to make environmentally conscious choices that help reduce waste.

Make the most of the summer season by committing to do these simple actions:

• Visit a refillery to stock up on bulk items like sunscreen, aloe gel, laundry detergent and more. This is a great way to reduce packaging.
• Had a summer cookout? Try turning leftovers like sweet potatoes into a delicious smoothie! Find the smoothie recipe and more creative ideas at org/FreshTakes.
• Don’t forget to recycle commonly used items such as juice jugs, berry containers (clamshells) and metal cans.
• Heading out with friends? Try carpooling to reduce your carbon footprint. If you’re staying close to home, walk to your local farmers market or park instead of driving.
• Compost your food scraps whenever possible. In Franklin County, you can compost at home, bring food waste to the SWACO Recycling Convenience Center, or use one of the 30+ community food waste drop-off locations across central Ohio.
• Just mowed the lawn? Add the grass clippings to your yard to help return nitrogen to the soil. If you have too many clippings, consider composting them or placing them in a brown bag or container clearly marked as yard waste for curbside pickup.
• Working on summer chores like replacing a propane tank or getting rid of lawn chemicals? These items can’t be recycled and shouldn’t go in your regular trash. Take them to SWACO’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 645 E. 8th Ave. Click here to learn more.

Finally, the summertime in central Ohio is packed with festivals and events — and many are making sustainability part of the experience. Look for events participating in the SWACO Container Loan Program. These events are working with us to provide either composting and or recycling containers, to make it easy for attendees to help divert waste.

Gift Sustainably! Father’s Day Finds to Keep in Mind

Jun 10, 2025

Are you stuck on what to gift Dad for Father’s Day this Sunday? As you’re working on reducing waste, remember that celebrating Dad can be done in an environmentally friendly, sustainable and waste-free way.

1. Think Thrift. Central Ohio has an ample number of thrift stores such as Goodwill Columbus. Here are some ideas for gently used gifts that could be use a second life:
   • Golf clubs or fishing gear
   • Mugs with personality
   • A stylish outfit
   • A picture frame to hold your favorite memory
   • Vintage vinyl or CDs
2. Think Local. In addition to thrift stores, Franklin County is filled with small businesses that have eco-friendly and sustainable products and services. Experience Columbus has a great list of them HERE.
3. Think Experiences. Rather than adding to your collection of material items, consider outdoor family experiences that leave Dad with memories. Metro Parks has a plethora of fishing ponds and biking trails, and there are free Kayak Days at the Columbus Commons.

Dad Jokes, Anyone? Click Here.

SWACO Celebrates Waste & Recycling Workers

Waste and recycling workers are vital to our community and work tirelessly to ensure the safe collection of Franklin County’s trash and recycling.  About 800 haulers visit SWACO facilities every single day and next Wednesday, during Waste and Recycling Workers Week, SWACO will be celebrating them with its annual appreciation event.  You can help celebrate these important workers by keeping them safe with a few easy tips:

1. Trash should be secured in closed trash bags to avoid spills and recycling should be loose without any bag.
2. Never put hazardous waste in your curbside trash or recycling.  In particular, lithium-ion batteries can cause fires and gas cylinders can explode. Learn how to properly dispose of household hazardous waste HERE.
3. Be mindful of waste and recycling trucks and their crews when you see them working, and slow down to get around.

Happy Memorial Day! Follow These Tips for a Sustainable Summer

May 21, 2025

Who’s ready for the summer?  This weekend will be the perfect time to gather with friends and family, eat great food, go camping, and get excited about the warmer months ahead.  It also presents a lot of great opportunities to reduce waste and model how to have a green season.

Keep recycling and waste reduction top-of-mind this weekend and all season long.

• Cookout and Camp With Less Food Waste: Before you head to the store, shop your pantry so that you don’t end up with duplicate ingredients, and check out SWACO’s Guestimator tool to help determine how much food you’ll need for your party.  After a long weekend, everyone needs something to take for lunch on their first day back at work.  Save your leftovers in a labeled, reusable container, and send each of your guests home with a hearty portion.
• Use Reusable Plates and Cutlery and Make Recycling Easy: While paper plates and plastic cutlery can seem like the easy choice for summer parties, remember that they aren’t recyclable.  Using reusable dinnerware prevents your trash from filling up with single-use plastics.  Make sure that anywhere you have a trash can, there are also recycling and compost bins right beside it.  Any food scraps can be composted and you can print and display this recycling sign as a reminder to your guests.
• Dispose of Propane Tanks and Pool & Lawn Chemicals Correctly: Items like propane tanks and pool and lawn chemicals can’t be recycled or put into your curbside trash, but they can be dropped off at SWACO’s Household Hazardous Waste collection facility at 645 E. 8th Avenue in Columbus.  The facility is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month.  Click here to learn more.
• Compost Food Scraps for Gardening: Unfinished food scraps from parties and all other meals can be collected and composted into nutrient-rich material that can enrich the soil in your lawn or garden.  To learn more about composting at home or find a food waste drop off sight near you, visit the SWACO website here.

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Sign up for a free Recycle Right at Home webinar today!

Recycling can be confusing, but SWACO can help!  Taking a few minutes to recycle the right way can help you reduce pollution, contribute to cleaner water, conserve limited natural resources, support our circular economy, and reduce central Ohio’s reliance on landfills.

Wed., May 28 from noon to 1 p.m.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Get Started Composting At Home Today!

Get a $30 home compost bin today when you register to take an online course or participate in a webinar with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District.  Composting at home reduces the amount of food scraps being sent to the landfill and can provide amazing nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

National Pet Month: Caring for your Pet & Planet

May 06, 2025

It’s National Pet Month and we all love our furry friends. As you continue to adopt important sustainable habits in your lifestyle, remember that these habits can apply to your pet care routine and pet parenting tactics, too!

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​Sustainable, Eco-friendly Choices to Make as a Pet Lover 

• ​​Consider Adoption – Adopting a pet rather than buying helps reduce the number of homeless animals in our area. The Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center (dogs only) and Columbus Humane (dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, etc.) are great local options to consider.
• Consider Donating – Did you know there are community pet food pantries and shelters that often need supplies? Things like bath towels, blankets and cardboard boxes can be essential to a shelter. If you find yourself with empty cardboard boxes, these items can be reused at the shelter.
• Consider Repurposing – Looking to save a buck? (No pun intended!) There is no need to spend money on new items when you can repurpose things you already own. Take that old beach towel and turn it into a tug-a-war toy. Add feathers or string to a beverage cork for some kitty entertainment.  ​

For more paw-sitive resources, visit the SWACO website HERE.

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​Recycle Right at Home Webinar​

We all want to do our best for the environment and to save resources, but it can be hard to know what can go in your curbside recycling bin, what needs to be dropped off at a special collection site, and what can’t be recycled at all.

Join SWACO for a fun and informative webinar from noon to 1:00 on Wednesday, May 28. We’ll arm you with all the answers you need to feel confident when recycling.  By taking just a few minutes to recycle the right way, you help reduce pollution, contribute to cleaner water, conserve limited natural resources, support our economy, and reduce central Ohio’s reliance on landfills. REGISTER HERE

Sustainable Spring Break

Mar 21, 2025

We are officially entering spring break season! Let’s welcome warmer days, more sunshine and the comforting arms of the outdoors!

This year, why not make your adventures a little greener? Whether traveling out of state or enjoying the relaxation of your backyard, there are plenty of ways to embrace sustainability. From choosing eco-friendly methods for travel essentials to getting creative locally, every effort can make a difference.

Planning on traveling?

Rethink how you prepare essentials. Most of us have small travel-size containers handy or have containers we could repurpose from around the house, like an empty baby food jar or old contact lens cases. Use your larger containers to refill the smaller ones or take it a step further and reduce product packaging by going to a refillery.

Local refilleries will have your travel essentials like sunscreen, face wash, aloe vera gel, soap, shampoo and conditioner.

Lastly, we encourage you to stay hydrated! Pack a reusable water bottle that you could fill up at a water station after going through airport security or can use at drink fountains at restaurants or gas stations on your road trip.

Staying local?

Even better! Central Ohio is making great strides toward sustainability and there are a bunch of ways you can get involved. Challenge yourself to complete an action from each of the categories below!

• Get active!
  • Ever tried pickleball? It’s a great way to get active and meet new people. If you are just getting started, look for a paddle and ball at a local thrift store or Play It Again Sports.
• Get outside!
  • Go for a hike, kayaking or explore some exciting upcoming events with Metro Parks.
• Support local!
  • Check out the local Farmers’ Markets, get involved in the CORC reusable coffee cup program and go on a journey to find your new favorite coffee shop, eat at local sustainable restaurants like Budd Dairy Food Hall or go to a Clippers game to literally support local!

Have fun without jeopardizing sustainability, for more sustainability tips check out our Recycle Right at Home webinar series.

Spread love: Give these low waste swaps a try for Valentine’s Day

Feb 07, 2025

When celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, it’s easy to spread love, for family and friends and the environment. After all, the best gifts are those that come from the heart (and contribute to a greener future!) so, if you’re planning to celebrate, give these five low waste swaps a try:

1. Shop your pantry first, before buying new. Here’s a fresh take on a romantic meal. Instead of dining out, consider making a delicious dinner at home with items you already have on hand. SWACO’s Fresh Takes initiative will help you make the most of food, time and money with recipes that repurpose items you may already have. Click here to find a recipe.                                                                               
2.  Eat your leftovers, don’t waste them. Throwing away food is so yesterday. Impress your dinner date this year when you carry home your leftovers from your favorite date-night dinner spot and toss them into tomorrow’s breakfast omelet. Eating the food from your dinner plate is one of the best ways to reduce food waste and SWACO is working with three local businesses – Budd Dairy Food Hall, Joya’s and Kittie’s Cakes to keep even more kitchen scraps and leftovers at their eateries from the landfill.
3. Recycle, don’t trash, greasy pizza boxes. For many, pizza is a love language. Indulge in your favorite pizza but when you’re done, remember to remove any food and the liner before flattening the box (and placing it in the recycling cart. Thanks to improvements in technology at central Ohio’s recycling center, even greasy pizza boxes (heart shaped or not!) can be recycled.
4. Reduce emissions, don’t create them. Planning on going to the movies? Help reduce carbon emissions and set up a movie night at home! Use cardboard boxes, pillows, and blankets to make a cinematic-worthy fort perfect for watching movies. (Don’t forget to flatten and recycle your cardboard after – for more information on how to recycle cardboard click here.)
5. Gift an experience, not the same old box of candy & card. Skip the material buys this year and think outside the box by gifting a local experience instead. Central Ohio offers pottery classes, theatre performances, and boasts one of the best museums in the country! A simple Google search will have an endless list of experience-based gift ideas in front of you.

Keep the momentum going well past February 14th, when you make a sustainable date night or activity idea jar.

Step 1. Reuse a spaghetti sauce jar. Simply, rinse out the jar and remove the label.

Step 2. Think of fun and creative sustainable activities (i.e. go on a romantic stroll, cook at home together, take a trip to a botanical garden, go kayaking, etc.)

Step 3. Write the ideas on scrap paper or junk mail, fold and place them in the jar.

Step 4. When the next date night rolls around, take turns selecting a fun, sustainable idea from the jar!

For more fun ideas like these, and tips on recycling and proper disposal, visit RecycleRight.org.

SWACO Encourages Residents to Recycle their Pizza Boxes this Super Bowl Sunday and Beyond

Feb 03, 2025

SWACO has partnered with more than 25 local pizza restaurants to educate and encourage residents to recycle their empty pizza boxes, with the campaign kicking off this Sunday, as pizza restaurants prepare for an influx of orders for the Super Bowl.

Greasy pizza boxes are now recyclable if they are free of pizza and the liner has been removed. With new technology, grease no longer hinders the final quality of the recycled paper product. Franklin County residents can put their pizza boxes in their home’s curbside recycling cart, or bring them to a SWACO drop-off recycling location, including the Recycling Convenience Center.

While widely accepted for recycling, corrugated cardboard makes up more than 10% of what arrives at the Franklin County landfill, owned by SWACO, every year, second only to food waste.

“The amount of cardboard thrown away in central Ohio every year would fill enough trucks to line them up from here to Cleveland,” said Joe Lombardi, SWACO’s Executive Director. “Now having the ability to recycle even greasy pizza boxes is an exciting step forward for families and individuals who want to reduce waste and recycle right. And to have so many local pizza restaurants join our efforts on one of the biggest pizza eating weekends of the year is certainly a win for everyone!”

SWACO has purchased 30,000 stickers which will be placed on carryout pizza boxes and contain information on how to recycle the boxes. The stickers also include a QR code leading to additional information about how to recycle right in Franklin County.

“Nationwide, about 12 and-a-half million pizzas are ordered or purchased on Super Bowl Sunday,” said Eric Kohl, Regional Manager of Dewey’s Pizza.  “Our locations here in Central Ohio are preparing to make upwards of 1,000 pizzas that day, and every single box of ours will don SWACO’s sticker.  I’m happy to encourage our customers to do their part in our community’s waste reduction efforts.”

To learn more about recycling pizza boxes or find a free SWACO cardboard drop off site near you, visit RecycleRight.org.  A list of participating pizzerias is below.

Participating Pizzerias:

• Dewey’s Pizza Three locations around central Ohio
• Fibonacci’s Pizza Two locations around central Ohio
• Panzera’s 1354 Grandview Ave., Columbus
• GoreMade Pizza 936 N. 4th St., Columbus
• Black Dog Pizzeria 5923 Karric Square Dr., Dublin
• Ronetti’s Pizza 23 S. Main St., London
• Carlucci’s Pizzeria 8757 Smokey Row Rd., Powell
• MediterraneYUM Food Truck 160 W. Woodruff Ave., Columbus
• Marketplace on Neil 1578 Neil Ave., Columbus
• Traditions at Morrill 1900 Cannon Dr., Columbus
• Curl Patio Pizza 80 W. Woodruff Ave., Columbus
• Woody’s Tavern 1739 N. High St., Columbus
• Pizza Nerds 1376 Cherry Bottom Rd., Gahanna
• Flyers Pizza Ten locations around central Ohio

Recycle Your Political Yard Signs After the Election

Oct 22, 2024

This time of year, political yard signs of all types sprout up like daisies in yards and public rights of way throughout central Ohio. These metal, plastic, and paper signs are a vital way for voters to express themselves and to encourage their neighbors to vote, but once the election is over, they become clutter in our garages and litter on the roadside.

Fortunately, though, there are several convenient, easy, and free ways to recycle those signs so that they can continue to be useful and don’t end up in our community’s landfill. SWACO is holding its yearly Election Sign Recycling Event on the Saturday after the election, and there are also two other locations this year where you can drop off yard signs for recycling.

• SWACO Recycling Convenience Center Drop-Off: Throughout the month of November, yard signs and their metal stakes can be dropped off at the SWACO Recycling Convenience Center at 2566 Jackson Pike in Columbus between 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
• Board of Elections Drop-Off: Yard signs can be dropped off November 5th through December 1st at the east end of the parking lot near the Franklin County Board of Elections building at 1700 Morse Rd. in Columbus.
• One Day Mobile Collection Event: On November 9th from 8 a.m. to noon, there will be an election sign collection event held in the parking lot at the Bill McDonald Athletic Complex located at 4990 Olentangy River Rd. in Columbus.

If you are unable to attend the mobile collection event or visit one of the mentioned locations, paper signs can be placed in your home’s curbside recycling container and the stretchy plastic signs can be recycled at retail locations accepting film plastics. Please don’t put coroplast signs or metal stands in curbside or drop off containers.

All of the yard sign drop-off and collection options are free and open to the public.