About Our Yard Waste Program:
2024 Yard Waste & Brush routes will run from March 18 through December 13.
Yard waste toters are collected on a weekly basis, the same day as your trash pickup. This program is intended for the disposal of common green yard wastes such as grass clippings, weeds, leaves, and flowers.
After being collected, your yard waste is transformed into compost at the Bartholomew County Yard Waste site. This nutrient-rich compost can be used to enhance your garden or landscaping. Residents have the option to pick up compost at the Bartholomew County Recycling Center, where it is self-serve or available for loading at a fee.
We suggest City residents cut their grass high and let the clippings remain on their lawns. This method known as “grasscycling” acts as a free fertilizer, as well as a weed inhibitor.
What we accept:
- Grass, weeds, thatch
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Leftover garden plants after harvesting
- Maple seedlings aka “helicopters”
- Pine needles/cones
- Decorative grass
- Green hedge trimmings
- Small amounts of dirt/sod – do not overload toter
What we do not accept:
- Trash or recycling of any kind
- Sticks, branches, wood, or tree trimmings
- Tree fruit (apples, pears, etc.)
- Sweetgum pods aka “gumballs”
- Tree nuts, chestnuts, walnuts, etc.
- Rosebushes or trimmings
- Sunflower and corn stalks
- Vines, stumps, or roots
- Stones
- Mulch
- Weed barrier fabric
- Garden pots, soil bags, and mulch bags
- Household food, scraps, or leftovers
- Pet waste or pet waste bags
City residents may sign up for our Yard Waste program online by using the button below or by calling the Department of Public Works directly at 812-376-2509. After payment, we will deliver your yard waste toter to your home.
Please note: Trash toters, recycling toters, or other bins may not be used as a yard waste toter replacement. Please sign up for the program if you wish to have your yard waste collected.
If you choose not to participate in the yard waste program, you may bring it to our compost site located at the Department of Public Works. If you are bagging your yard waste, please take your bags with you once they are emptied at the site and dispose of them properly.
About Our Weekly Brush/Limb Collection:
Brush and limb collection is provided for City residents on a weekly basis. Brush and limbs will be picked up on the same day as your trash collection, and must be stacked curbside to be chipped.
Brush and limb collection is not provided to apartment complexes, businesses, churches, mobile home parks, commercial businesses, or not-for-profits.
How to participate:
- Brush and limbs must not exceed 6′ in length and neatly stacked at the curb.
- Brush and limbs must be free of all other debris and trash.
- Shrubs with roots must be dirt-free.
Brush from contractors will not be collected by the city. Contractors are responsible for all debris they generate.
For very large piles of brush or tree limbs, you may use our CurbCycle app to submit a request or contact us at 812-376-2509. Please know we do not guarantee a same-day pickup as your request, and will try our best to complete your request within 24 to 48 hours.
After your brush is collected and chipped, it is repurposed into mulch. The mulch is available for city residents to pick up through the Bartholomew County Recycling Center. Residents may also opt to drop off their own brush at the Recycling Center’s brush site.
Addresses for Yard Waste and Brush Drop Off:
Department of Public Works
2250 Kreutzer Dr.
Columbus, Indiana 47201
812-376-2509
Bartholomew County Recycling Center
720 S Mapleton St.
Columbus, Indiana 47201
812-376-2614
Please contact us at (812) 376-2509 with any further questions about our yard waste or brush collection programs.
Public Works
Contact Us
Columbus Recycles
(812) 376-2509
City Sanitation
(812) 376-2509
City Street
(812) 376-2508
City Traffic
(812) 376-2518
Bartholomew County Recycling Center
(812) 376-2614
Bartholomew County Landfill
(812) 342-2756
Bartholomew County Highway Dept.
(812) 379-1660
Mosquito Issues
(812) 379-1550
Abandoned Houses
(812) 376-2593
