Solid Waste transition to refuse roll carts

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Consultation has concluded


All refuse to be collected must be placed in a City-provided roll cart. All refuse must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. The cart will not be emptied if the cart is overflowing or has trash placed on top of the lid. Bags left on the curb will not be picked up.

Only regular household trash and yard waste can be put into the carts. Although it is not required, the City recommends that customers place their trash in a bag or container to prevent litter from blowing around.

Need to request a different size?


The Utility’s goal is to provide the best possible service to our customers. A proven method of solid waste collection, automated collection allows the City of Columbia Solid Waste Utility to increase the efficiency of collection while improving safety for our workers.

Also, the use of refuse carts encourages waste reduction through recycling and backyard composting.

For more information, please visit our FAQ page on the City's website or linked on this page .

Between collection days, customers must store their roll carts inside or adjacent to the residential structure or an accessory structure (i.e., detached garage or storage shed).

Carts shall be placed at the curb no earlier than 4 p.m. the day before the customer’s scheduled collection day and no later than 6:30 a.m. on the collection day. Carts must be removed from the curb no later than 10 p.m. on the customer’s collection day.

For more information, please visit our FAQ page on the City's website or linked on this page .

There is no charge for the cart itself. However, customers’ monthly rates are determined based on the size of the cart. For example, a customer who uses a 65-gallon cart will be charged $17.37, meaning there will be no change to the bill. Charges for smaller or larger carts are proportionate to the size of the cart.

  • 35 gallon - $12.87 per month
  • 65 gallon - $17.37 per month (the current fee)
  • 95 gallon - $22.50 per month

Customers may request to exchange their refuse cart one time at no charge within the first 120 days of initially receiving the cart. After the initial 120-day period, customers will be charged a $25 exchange fee per cart.

Need to request a different size?

Additional carts and one-time extra collections will be available for additional fees.

For more information, please visit our FAQ page on the City's website or linked on this page.

The Solid Waste Utility received its first side-loader truck for automated residential collection on Wednesday, Nov. 15.


All refuse to be collected must be placed in a City-provided roll cart. All refuse must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. The cart will not be emptied if the cart is overflowing or has trash placed on top of the lid. Bags left on the curb will not be picked up.

Only regular household trash and yard waste can be put into the carts. Although it is not required, the City recommends that customers place their trash in a bag or container to prevent litter from blowing around.

Need to request a different size?


The Utility’s goal is to provide the best possible service to our customers. A proven method of solid waste collection, automated collection allows the City of Columbia Solid Waste Utility to increase the efficiency of collection while improving safety for our workers.

Also, the use of refuse carts encourages waste reduction through recycling and backyard composting.

For more information, please visit our FAQ page on the City's website or linked on this page .

Between collection days, customers must store their roll carts inside or adjacent to the residential structure or an accessory structure (i.e., detached garage or storage shed).

Carts shall be placed at the curb no earlier than 4 p.m. the day before the customer’s scheduled collection day and no later than 6:30 a.m. on the collection day. Carts must be removed from the curb no later than 10 p.m. on the customer’s collection day.

For more information, please visit our FAQ page on the City's website or linked on this page .

There is no charge for the cart itself. However, customers’ monthly rates are determined based on the size of the cart. For example, a customer who uses a 65-gallon cart will be charged $17.37, meaning there will be no change to the bill. Charges for smaller or larger carts are proportionate to the size of the cart.

  • 35 gallon - $12.87 per month
  • 65 gallon - $17.37 per month (the current fee)
  • 95 gallon - $22.50 per month

Customers may request to exchange their refuse cart one time at no charge within the first 120 days of initially receiving the cart. After the initial 120-day period, customers will be charged a $25 exchange fee per cart.

Need to request a different size?

Additional carts and one-time extra collections will be available for additional fees.

For more information, please visit our FAQ page on the City's website or linked on this page.

The Solid Waste Utility received its first side-loader truck for automated residential collection on Wednesday, Nov. 15.