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Columbus City Hall - Drop off Site
16319 Kettle River Blvd., Columbus, MN 55025
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:
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.
Plastic Bags - ALL COLORS ACCEPTED
If the bags stretch they are accepted. Bags that do not stretch or rip/tear are not accepted. Tarp material bags are not accepted unless both the inside layer AND outside layer BOTH stretch.
When: Wednesday, May 7, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Columbus City Hall
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.
Drop-Off Event
When: Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.-noon
Where: City Hall Parking Lot
What: Make sure to keep track of your Recycling Flyer to be mailed in February. Included within that mailer will be a coupon that will allow Columbus residents to recycle two (2) items for free at this event!
Free Paper Shredding
When: Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.-noon
Where: City Hall Parking Lot
What: Free shredding is available at the Spring Recycling Event ONLY. The option to witness document destruction is available.
Curbside Recycling
When: Week of July 14-18, 2025
Where: Residential Curbsides
What: See flyer and call City Offices for more information.
Must call NO Later than July 17 to be added to the collection list.
Bicycle Drop-Off
When: Wednesday, September 10, 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 13, 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.
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.
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.
Recycling is available at the curb for every resident in Columbus.
By recycling, Twin Cities residents can:
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:
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 is offering six more free Fix-It Clinics in 2025, including two in neighboring jurisdictions!
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.
Scrap metal, such as steel or aluminum, may be taken to a variety of local recyclers who pay per pound of recyclables (see list below). After you drop off your scrap metal bring your tonnage receipt to Columbus City Hall. The City tracks recycling quantities and your tonnage receipt will help Columbus reach this year's recycling goal for the community!
Scrap Metal Recyclers: