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Thanksgiving trash & recycling in Columbus, OH

Holiday pickup

There is no trash collection on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026). If you're on a color zone (Navy, Pink, Ruby, Gold or Gray), your trash day moves forward one day after the holiday; check the City's 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar or your color hotline. Recycling and yard waste on or after the holiday are delayed one day, with Friday collection moving to Saturday.

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Pickup changes
There is no trash collection on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026). If you're on a color zone (Navy, Pink, Ruby, Gold or Gray), your trash day moves forward one day after the holiday; check the City's 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar or your color hotline. Recycling and yard waste on or after the holiday are delayed one day, with Friday collection moving to Saturday.
Turkey fryer oil & grease
Don't pour fats, oils or grease down drains or toilets. Small amounts: wipe pans with paper towels, or pour cooled grease into a lidded container with wood shavings or cat litter and put it in the trash. Larger amounts of used cooking oil, fat and grease can go free (residents only) to either Waste and Reuse Convenience Center: Alum Creek, 2100 Alum Creek Dr., or Georgesville, 1550 Georgesville Rd., Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both centers are closed Thanksgiving Day.
Extra trash
Set carts out no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before collection and bring them back by 2 p.m. the day after. If you regularly have more recycling than fits, request a second cart through 311 (614-645-3111 or [email protected]).
Boxes & wrapping
Paper and cardboard go in the blue cart; please flatten boxes. No plastic bags, plastic wrap or film, no foam plates or food containers, and no dirty recyclables. Recycling should be out by 6 a.m.
Tip
The convenience centers also take food scraps and polystyrene foam, so leftover-feast packaging has a place to go.

Official sources (checked 2026-11-01): www.columbus.gov · www.columbus.gov · www.columbus.gov · www.columbus.gov

FAQ

Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Columbus?

There is no trash collection on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026). If you're on a color zone (Navy, Pink, Ruby, Gold or Gray), your trash day moves forward one day after the holiday; check the City's 2026 Rotating Holiday Calendar or your color hotline. Recycling and yard waste on or after the holiday are delayed one day, with Friday collection moving to Saturday.

How do I get rid of turkey fryer oil in Columbus?

Don't pour fats, oils or grease down drains or toilets. Small amounts: wipe pans with paper towels, or pour cooled grease into a lidded container with wood shavings or cat litter and put it in the trash. Larger amounts of used cooking oil, fat and grease can go free (residents only) to either Waste and Reuse Convenience Center: Alum Creek, 2100 Alum Creek Dr., or Georgesville, 1550 Georgesville Rd., Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both centers are closed Thanksgiving Day.

What do I do with extra trash after Thanksgiving in Columbus?

Set carts out no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before collection and bring them back by 2 p.m. the day after. If you regularly have more recycling than fits, request a second cart through 311 (614-645-3111 or [email protected]).

Can I recycle boxes and wrapping paper in Columbus?

Paper and cardboard go in the blue cart; please flatten boxes. No plastic bags, plastic wrap or film, no foam plates or food containers, and no dirty recyclables. Recycling should be out by 6 a.m.

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