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1. What is the city’s collection day?

Refuse and recycling is collected Wednesdays. Refuse is collected on a weekly basis while recycling is collected bi-weekly (every other week).

2. What are the collection hours?

Refuse and recycling are collected between the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Refuse and recycling must be to the curb by 7:00 AM.

3. How large are the carts?

Larger refuse and recycling carts are  95-gallons in size. Smaller refuse and recycling carts are 65-gallons in size. Please contact Columbia County Solid Waste with any cart size questions.

4. Where should carts be placed for collection?

On Wednesdays, place the gray refuse cart on one side of your driveway or property. Place the blue recycling cart on the other side. The lid opening must face the street. Keep the cart at least three feet away from:

• The other cart
• Vehicles
• Trees
• Mailboxes
• Utility poles or boxes
• Fire hydrants
• Other structures

5. Who owns the carts?

Refuse and recycling carts are the property of Columbia County Solid Waste.

6. Who should be contacted for cart related issues?

Any issues with a cart should be directed to Columbia County Solid Waste’s office, 608-742-6651.

7. Are other containers or plastic bags acceptable for refuse or recycling collection?

Only items placed inside the carts will be collected. Full plastic bags placed inside the carts are acceptable.

8. What items can go into the recycling cart?

Items such as aluminum, cardboard, plastic bottles, plastic jars, glass bottles, glass jars, paper, and tin food cans are accepted as recycling material by the city’s collection provider.  A more comprehensive list of acceptable recycling materials is available on the Columbia County Solid Waste website.

9. What items can go into the refuse cart?

The refuse (or trash) cart should hold non-recyclable materials. No liquids, electronics, hazardous materials, or recyclables are permitted in the refuse cart.  All refuse must be in the cart. Materials not placed in the cart will not be collected.

10. Where can I store the refuse and recycling carts on days other than collection days?

Carts can be stored in garages, along the sides of properties, or behind properties. Storage of carts in the front of properties is not permitted.

11. How does payment occur for this program?

The annual refuse and recycling program fee is $147 per eligible residence or business. The program fee is payable as a special fee on property tax bills.

12. My residence/small business is new. How do I receive carts?

Property owners of newly constructed residences should contact City Hall once they receive an occupancy permit. New residents will be required to pay a prorated portion of the year prior to receiving garbage and recycling carts. Subsequent charges for garbage and recycling cart collection will be assessed on property taxes as a special fee.

Small businesses who opt into the city's garbage and recycling collection program should contact City Hall. The property owner where the small business resides will be required to pay a prorated portion of the year prior to the small business owner receiving garbage and recycling carts. Subsequent charges for garbage and recycling cart collection will be assessed on property taxes as a special fee until the city is notified that the collection services are no longer needed.