Columbia, MO Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule

Living in Columbia, Missouri? Wondering when your trash and recycling will be picked up each week? This guide provides full details on Columbia’s trash and recycling collection schedule, including regular pick-up days, holiday schedules, and other key information for residents.

Overview of Trash and Recycling Collection in Columbia

The City of Columbia provides trash and recycling collection services for residents living in single family homes. Collection is handled by the Solid Waste Division of the Columbia Utilities Department.

Here are some quick facts about trash and recycling collection in Columbia:

• Trash collection occurs once per week
• Recycling collection occurs every other week on alternating weeks from trash
• Collection days are assigned by neighborhood
• Standard containers provided by the city must be used
• Extra trash must be in city-approved bags – no personal containers allowed

The city provides one 95-gallon cart for trash and one 95-gallon cart for recycling to each eligible home. Larger families can request an additional trash cart for free.

Finding Your Collection Day

Trash and recycling collection days are assigned by neighborhood in Columbia. To find your specific collection days:

1. Go to the Trash Day Look Up Page on the city website
2. Enter your street address
3. The page will display your trash and recycling collection days

You can also view trash collection maps and schedules by neighborhood on the city’s Trash Collection Maps page.

Regular Trash and Recycling Schedule

On your assigned trash day each week, the city will collect:

• Waste in your trash cart
• Any additional trash bags or cans with yellow city trash stickers
• Bulk items like furniture placed at the curb

On alternating weeks from trash, the city will collect:

• Recyclables in your recycling cart
• Any additional recycling placed in boxes next to your cart

So every other week, you can expect trash collection, and on the opposite weeks you can expect recycling collection.

Holiday Collection Schedules

Trash and recycling collection follows a revised schedule on certain holidays:

• New Year’s Day – No collection delay
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No collection delay
• Memorial Day – Collections delayed by one day all week
• Independence Day – No collection delay if on a weekday
• Labor Day – Collections delayed by one day all week
• Thanksgiving – No collection Thanksgiving Day or Friday; collections delayed by one day rest of week
• Christmas Day – No collection delay if on a weekday

View the holiday collection schedule for exact revised dates.

The landfill and drop-off centers may also have reduced hours on holidays. Check the holiday schedule for details.

Trash and Recycling Guidelines

To ensure your trash and recycling are collected properly in Columbia, follow these guidelines:

Trash Cart

• Place at curb by 7AM on collection day
• Lid opening must face street
• Do not overfill – lid must fully close

Recycling Cart

• Place at curb by 7AM on collection day
• Do not bag recyclables – place loose in cart
• Rinse food residue from containers

Extra Trash Bags/Cans

• Must have yellow city trash sticker attached
• Place next to trash cart
• Limit 10 extra bags/cans per collection

Bulk Items

• Includes furniture, appliances, mattresses, etc.
• Place at curb next to trash cart on collection day

Hazardous Waste

• Includes chemicals, batteries, lightbulbs, electronics
• Cannot be disposed in normal trash – view safe disposal options

Yard Waste

• Grass clippings, leaves, branches must be disposed separately from trash – learn more

Missed Collections

• Report any missed collections within 24 hours – file a report online or call (573) 874-6291

See the city website for full details on trash and recycling cart use.

Special Collection Services

Columbia offers a few extra collection services beyond normal trash and recycling:

• Large Item Pickup: For oversized items that don’t fit in carts and require special collection. Charges apply based on item size. Schedule online.

• Extra Cart Rental: Available for $2.50/month for extra trash or recycling capacity. Request online.

• Back Door Service: Available for disabled residents unable to take carts to curb. Must provide documentation. Apply online.

• Electronics Recycling: Twice monthly drop-off collections available. View schedule and details.

Contact Information for Solid Waste Division

For questions, special requests, or issues with your trash or recycling collection in Columbia, contact the Solid Waste Division:

Website: https://www.como.gov/utilities/columbias-solid-waste-utility/

Phone: (573) 874-6291

Email: [email protected]

Office Location:

City of Columbia Solid Waste Division

1315 Lakeview Avenue

Columbia, MO 65201

The Solid Waste Division website also contains a wide range of helpful information on trash and recycling for Columbia residents, including schedules, guidelines, collection lookup tools, and more.