Food Waste Composting
The City of Gahanna is excited to announce a new program that benefits our residents and our community!
Gahanna residents can now drop off food waste at a new composting drop-off location here in the City. Residents can collect compostable materials at home and take them to the new local composting container, conveniently located at Friendship Park (150 Oklahoma Avenue).
How You Can Participate
Thanks to the support of a grant from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), the City of Gahanna was able to partner with GoZERO Services (GoZERO), a food waste compost courier, in providing this program. Participating is easy!
Residents collect food scraps in a container of their choice and then drop off scraps into the GoZERO lime-green container that will be located at Friendship Park (150 Oklahoma Avenue), near the restrooms on the east side of the parking lot. Plastic bags, grocery bags or trash bags should NOT be used. GoZERO will empty and clean the container each week.
Although participation in the program is FREE, we are asking residents to register for the program to track interest and use. Please register HERE for this opportunity.
Guidelines for Program
Residents can help to make Gahanna’s new composting program a success by discarding only approved compostable materials from appropriate containers or by using liners certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute.
The use of compostable liners is encouraged, especially during summer months; however, it is important to use the correct type. GoZERO requires the use of BPI Certified Liners only. All liners must carry a “BPI compostable” mark.
Follow these guidelines to ensure only desired compost material is processed:
Accepted Materials (Food Waste Only)
- Meat
- Small bones
- Fruits and vegetables including beans, nuts, peels and cores
- Dairy products including milk, yogurts and cheeses
- Eggs including shells
- Breads, grains, cereals and pastas
- Sauces, condiments and syrups
- Seasonings, herbs and spices
- Sweets and candies
- Coffee grounds
Not Accepted
- Yard waste including leaves, wood and stone
- Pet waste
- PLU/UPC stickers
- Rubber bands, twine, twist ties or other bundling materials
- Jars, wrappers, foil, bags, tubs, trays and other plastic or Styrofoam containers
- Plastic bags and other non-compostable plastics including coatings and films
- Metal including cans and aluminum foil
- Glass
- Healthcare products and medical waste
- Electronics
Nearly one million pounds of food waste is landfilled in Franklin County every single day. Composting is one way to reduce food waste at home and at work, and is an important and critical step toward protecting our natural resources, reducing our reliance on the landfill and ensuring a greener tomorrow for generations to come.
In an effort to keep food out of the landfill and reclaiming it to be a resource for our community, SWACO and the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative have launched the #SaveMoreThanFood campaign to draw awareness around the impact of food waste on our community, economy and environment. Gahanna is a proud partner with SWACO on the #SaveMoreThanFood campaign. Visit https://savemorethanfood.org/ for more information on this initiative.
City of Gahanna to begin using Local Waste Services Ltd. in January 2022
The City of Gahanna has transitioned the current refuse, recycling and yard waste collection services to a new provider, Local Waste Services Ltd. The switch to Local Waste will help keep costs down for residents – as their trash collection rates for 2022 were lower than the current vendor- but wait – there’s more! Residents will be able to set out all collections (trash/yard waste/recycling) for one collection day. All residents will also be provided a *free* 95-gallon trash can. Most of our residents generate enough trash to fill the new trash can, which may save multiple trips to the curb needed when using several smaller trash cans. To opt-out of the 95-gallon cart, call Local Waste: 614-409-9375.
Collection Days will be Monday and 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 Rd.
- South of Granville St., the boundary line becomes the Big Walnut creek.
North of Granville St.:
- All residents West of US 62/Johnstown Rd, are assigned to MONDAY as their weekly collection day.
- All residents East of US 62/Johnstown Rd, including all addresses on US 62, are assigned TUESDAY as their weekly collection day.
South of Granville St.:
- 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? Our Frequently Asked Questions document is HERE.
2023 Holiday Schedule
* 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 …………………..Mon., 5/29/23, 1 Day Delay
• Independence Day ……………Tue., 7/4/23, Delay on Tuesday service only
• Labor Day ……………………….Mon., 9/4/23, 1 Day Delay
• Thanksgiving Day …………….Thur., 11/23/23, No Delay
• Christmas Day …………………Mon., 12/25/23, 1 Day Delay
• New Year’s Day ………………..Mon., 1/1/24, 1 Day Delay
RECYCLING CARTS
The City wants to make proper recycling as easy as possible for you so we provide each resident with a recycling cart to place acceptable items in for recycling. Please place these carts at the curb on your recycling 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: FAQ Sheet
DON’T JUST RECYCLE. RECYCLE RIGHT.
It’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 www.recycleright.org.
Still have questions about what’s accepted or not accepted for recycling? View the infographics below or visit SWACO’s Frequently Asked Questions page at www.recycleright.org/faq/. To find the best solution for your unwanted item, use SWACO’s “Reuse and Recycling Tool” at www.recycleright.org/recycle-reuse-search-tool/. For additional information on diversion options like reuse, donation and recycling, please visit SWACO’s website at www.recycleright.org.
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 is also available for rent. This charge is independent from your trash service bill and is set up directly with local waste hauler.
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 www.swaco.org and click on the “Diversion” tab.
Bulk Items
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. Large wooden pieces (fences, flooring, etc.) must be cut down into 4 ft sections and bundled as requested by Local Waste.
Car Batteries
State law bans lead acid batteries from landfill disposal. You can dispose of lead acid batteries at many auto service centers and places where you purchase auto batteries.
Carpet and Padding
Carpeting and padding must be rolled in a tight bundle and TIED OR TAPED to facilitate easy handling. Large pieces must be cut into 4-foot lengths. Residents with carryout service must place all bulk items at the curb.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Hazardous, corrosive, toxic or ignitable wastes (including medical and hospital wastes, liquids and sludge) cannot be accepted by landfills due to Federal and EPA regulations and are excluded from collection. SWACO provides free household hazardous waste disposal services for Franklin County residents. The drop-off location is located at 645 E 8th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 (at the corner of E 8th Ave and Essex Ave just south of the fairgrounds).
The following are examples of items accepted: oil based paint, motor oil, spray paint, lighter fluid, propane tanks/cylinders, oxygen tanks, pool chemicals, bleach, household cleaners, fluorescent light bulbs (including compact fluorescent lightbulbs CFLs and ballasts), lawn chemicals, fertilizers, insecticides, antifreeze and batteries. Please note, asbestos, appliances, tires, ammunition, trash, needles, pharmaceuticals and medical waste are not accepted. SWACO will dispose of latex and water based paint for a fee.
For a complete list of acceptable items, hours of operation and directions and dates of HHW collection events, visit www.swaco.org/195/Household-Hazardous-Waste or call SWACO’s HHW drop-off facility at 614-294-1300.
Needles
For information on how to properly dispose of needles and “sharps”, visit the Columbus Public Health website at www.columbus.gov/publichealth/programs/Alcohol-and-Drug-Abuse/Safe-Needle-Disposal/.
Paint
Only latex or water-based paints are acceptable for curbside pickup, once they are in a solid state. It can be air dried or solidified using cat litter or sand.
Prescriptions
The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) has launched a program designed to significantly reduce the prescription drugs in homes that are either no longer needed or outdated. Law enforcement is the only entity legally able to accept these medications and process them properly so that they do not fall into the wrong hands. Law enforcement takes control of and destroys drugs on a regular basis as part of their regular operations. For a list of drug drop-off locations and dates of national drug take-back collection events, visit www.swaco.org/196/Pharmaceutical.
Unacceptable Items
Appliances containing freon (refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners), lead-acid batteries (car and motorcycle batteries), liquid waste (including used motor oil and oil-based paint), tires, yard waste, explosive items, radioactive waste and other materials that could be dangerous to the workers collecting your trash.
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 yard 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
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.
Christmas Trees
Cut trunk and limbs to 4 ft. or shorter. Tie into bundles with string or twine. All decorations and stands must be removed including ornaments, tinsel, garland and lights. Trees in plastic bags will not be collected.
Loose Material
Place loose material (leaves, grass clippings, shrubs, weeds, brush, twigs and small branches) in biodegradable paper bags (paper, kraft, or 100% compostable according to ASTM standards) or rigid containers clearly marked “yard waste only”. Biodegradable paper bags are available at hardware and grocery stores. Please do not line these bags or containers with plastic bags.
Unacceptable Items
Only yard waste is permitted in yard waste bags and containers. Please do not place food waste, pet waste, dirt or rocks, plastic bags or bottles, sod, soil or plastic plant pots into yard waste bags or containers. Please do not use plastic bags to collect yard waste. Keep it loose or use compostable bags.
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