Recycling & Refuse

Autumn Events

Bicycle Drop-Off

When: Wednesday, September 25, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: City Hall Parking Lot
What: Bicycles in any condition can be donated to Bikes4Kids, who will repair and refurbish them for distribution to Anoka County and metro area residents in need.

Recycling Drop-Off

When: Saturday, September 28, 9 a.m.-noon
Where: City Hall Parking Lot
What: Remember the recycling flyer from spring? Hope you held on to it, as there's another coupon included that will allow Columbus residents to recycle two (2) items for free at this event!

Do you ever find yourself wondering, "where can I recycle this item"? 

Anoka County has a useful directory for figuring out where to recycle, compost or dispose of materials from your household.  Be sure to call ahead and verify materials collected, any fees that may apply, preparation instructions, and hours of operation. 

Visit the Anoka County Recycling and and Disposal Directory.

About 30% of our trash is organic material that can be composted. Participating in the organics recycling program keeps food scraps out of the trash and is one way to make a difference in your community.

Stop by the City Offices to get your organic's recycling starter kits (buckets and bags). 

To participate in the County's Organics Recycling Program:

1. Sign up at City Hall, on Anoka County's website or by calling Anoka County's office at 763-324-3400.
2. Pick up a free starter kit at the Columbus City Offices (or at other compost sites in Anoka County).
3. Collect Organic waste in a compostable bag and tie off the bag.
4. Come to a compost site during operating hours and place the bag in the container designated for organics recycling.  At this time you can ask for more free BPI certified bags. 

Columbus City Hall - Drop off Site

16319 Kettle River Blvd., Columbus, MN 55025

Compostable items are collected in the green rolling dumpster in the shelter at the western corner of the Public Works fenced-in yard. Compostable items may be delivered to the dumpster loose or in compostable bags.

Outside of Columbus, there are also two Anoka County drop-off sites available. Locations and hours of operation may be reviewed on the County's website.

Communal aluminum can recycling has returned to Columbus!

Bring your empty aluminum cans to the City Hall campus and deposit them in the large metal trailer along the northwestern fence surrounding the Public Works yard. Once the trailer is full, the recycling company will haul the full trailer to its facility and replace it with an empty trailer. Additionally, the company will also pay the City the recycling proceeds, which Council will redirect into projects to benefit the City.

Through the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) and its partnerships with municipalities, watershed districts, nonprofits and other entities, residents across the state have the opportunity to purchase reusable compost bins and rain barrels at a discounted rate.

• Compost bins - $76+tax - Constructed out of 100 percent recycled plastics, RAM's compost bins can hold 125 gallons of composting materials and is complete with a lockable lid and sliding doors. According to RAM, similar containers can retail for $100 or more.
• Rain barrels - $90+tax - Rain barrels can collect 45 gallons of chlorine-free water to be used to water plants, wash the car and much more. According to RAM, similar barrels can retail for $120 or more.
  

Supplies are limited, so interested parties should act quickly to ensure they are able to participate. Orders must be placed online in advance of the distribution date, and early or late pickups are not permitted.

Listed below are the four distribution sites closest to Columbus, but different sites and distribution dates, as well as links to place orders, are available on RAM's website.

Recycling is available at the curb for every resident in Columbus.  

By recycling, Twin Cities residents can:

• Use less energy:  Recycling a single aluminum can save enough energy to power a television for three hours.  
• Save natural resources
• Create jobs:  The plastic recycling industry provides jobs for more than 52,000 American workers.  

• Reduce taxes:  Recycling generates $64 million in Minnesota tax revenue every year!  

 Curbside pickup is provided by your refuse hauler.  Check with your hauler on the items accepted and how to prepare them for collection.  Haulers providing service to Columbus are listed below on this webpage.

(And remember - NO BATTERIES OF ANY SORT AND NO PLASTIC BAGS. Some large local stores have collection bins for clean bags in their lobbies, such as Cub, Walmart or Kohls, or you can bring them to Columbus City Hall)

Backyard burning and burning of garbage is illegal and produces toxic materials that contaminate the environment. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has additional information on the problems with burning garbage. Columbus refuse haulers currently include:

• Ace Solid Waste | 763-427-3110
• LePage & Sons | 763-757-7100 (currently serving Columbus residents west of I-35)
• Waste Management | 651-462-5298

Please remember to recycle your appliances or electronics. They will find their forever home in the landfill if your hauler collects them.  Please call the city for recycle locations available.

Anoka County offers seven free Fix-It Clinics in 2024, including one right here in Columbus on Saturday, April 6 at the Columbus Community/Senior Center, scheduled for 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Anoka County offers a household hazardous waste drop-off facility for residents of Columbus.  Businesses, schools and other organizations may NOT use the HHW facility. There is no charge to use the site. Bring identification, such as a driver's license, for proof of residency.

Website link: https://www.anokacounty.us/369/Household-Hazardous-Waste-Facility

Location: 3230 101st Avenue NE, Blaine, MN 55449

April – October Hours:
Wednesday: 1 - 7 p.m.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Closed Independence Day.

November - March Hours:

Wednesday: 1 - 7 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Closed December 24-25 and January 1.

Safely dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescriptions and medication at Anoka County "Prescription Drug Take Back" or Washington County "Take it to the Box" drop off sites. Hours vary by location. There is no charge to drop off drugs and boxes may be used anonymously. 

Anoka County "Prescription Drug Take Back" locations

Washington County "Take it to the Box" Unused Medication Program locations

Second Chance Recycling will take your old mattress at their recycling facility. They are open M-F from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Disposal fee is $30 per mattress/boxspring. No appointment is necessary for quantities under 20. Address: 1179 15th Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Phone: 612-332-0664. They cannot accept wet mattresses.