Waste Collection

Local Waste Services

The City of Gahanna contracts waste collection (refuse, recycling and yard waste) services with Local Waste Services Ltd.  Residents are be able to set out all collections (trash/yard waste/recycling) on a single collection day.  All residents will also be provided a 95-gallon trash can. Most of our residents generate enough trash to fill this can, which saves multiple trips to the curb needed when using several smaller trash cans. You can opt-out of the 95-gallon cart, by calling Local Waste: 614-409-9375.

Collection Days Will Be Monday & Tuesday

The City will be divided into two pick-up days; Monday and Tuesday of each week.

  • There is an east/west divider, with most of the city divided by Route 62/Johnstown Road
  • South of Granville Street, the boundary line becomes the Big Walnut creek.

North of Granville Street:

  • All residents West of U.S. 62/Johnstown Road, are assigned to Monday as their weekly collection day.
  • All residents East of U.S. 62/Johnstown Road, including all addresses on U.S. 62, are assigned Tuesday as their weekly collection day.

South of Granville Street:

  • All residents west of Big Walnut Creek are assigned to Monday as their weekly collection day.
  • All residents east of Big Walnut Creek are assigned to Tuesday as their weekly collection day.

Still have questions? Review our Frequently Asked Questions.


Holiday Schedule

Please note: If a holiday falls on or before your collection day, service is delayed one day, that week only. If the holiday falls on a Saturday/Sunday there will be no schedule change.

  • Memorial Day: 1 Day Delay
  • Independence Day: Delay on Tuesday service only
  • Labor Day: 1 Day Delay
  • Thanksgiving Day: No Delay
  • Christmas Day: 1 Day Delay
  • New Year's Day: 1 Day Delay

Waste Collection Map

Recycling Carts

The City wants to make proper recycling as easy as possible for you.  The City provides each resident with a recycling cart to place acceptable items for recycling. Please place these carts at the curb on your waste collection day under the same guidelines as your trash. The City is not responsible for lost or misplaced recycling carts. It is advisable to label the bottom of your cart with your street address. If your recycling cart becomes damaged or if you need an additional cart, please contact the Department of Public Service and Engineering, Utility Billing Division at 614-342-4440.

Download: Recycling Cart FAQ Sheet (PDF)

Don't Just Recycle. Recycle Right.

Recycle RightIt's not only important to recycle. It's important to Recycle Right. By only recycling materials that are accepted at the recycling facility, your recycling will make more of an impact. Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio's (SWACO) "Recycle Right" campaign makes proper recycling easy by giving you a comprehensive list of what should and what shouldn't go in your recycling container. For more information about "Recycle Right," please visit the Recycle Right website.

Still have questions about what's accepted or not accepted for recycling? View the infographics or visit SWACO's Frequently Asked Questions page. To find the best solution for your unwanted item, use SWACO's "Reuse and Recycling Tool." For additional information on diversion options like reuse, donation and recycling, please visit SWACO's website.

Recyclable and Non-Accepted Items

Trash (Refuse)

All trash must be placed in bags or approved containers. Residents are responsible for providing their own trash bags and containers. Each bag or container must weigh less than 50 pounds. A rolling trash cart are provided by Local Waste. 

Seniors aged 60 and over who are the head of household may sign up to receive a discount on the trash portion of their bill. Sign up by bringing your driver's license or other official ID to the Department of Public Service and Engineering, Utility Billing Division office at City Hall.

To learn more about what is acceptable in your trash, and how to properly dispose of or recycle items that do not belong in the trash, please visit the SWACO Diversion page.

Furniture, carpeting, mattresses, box springs and other bulk items will be collected with the regular trash when placed at the curb. Any upholstered items (including mattresses and box springs) must be wrapped in plastic.

Yard Waste

Yard waste includes organic waste from gardening and landscaping activities (leaves, grass clippings, shrubs, weeds, brush, twigs and small branches). Yard waste is not accepted at the landfill. Yard waste should be placed at the curb on your normal waste collection day. After collection, yard waste is taken to a compost facility to be recycled into mulch and compost.

Residents are responsible for providing their own yard waste bags or containers. Loose material should be placed in biodegradable bags or rigid containers clearly marked "yard waste only". "Yard Waste Only" stickers can be obtained from the City to place on waste receptacles designated for yard waste. Each biodegradable bag, container or bundle must weigh less than 50 pounds.

Do not place yard waste in plastic bags. Only use biodegradable paper bags (available at hardware and grocery stores) or clearly marked rigid containers.

Branches less than 4 inches in diameter must be cut to 4 feet or shorter in length and bundled with string or twine. The bundle cannot exceed 2 feet in diameter. Tree trunks must be less than 4 inches in diameter.

Yard Waste Reference Chart