Q & A for Downtown Recycling

What is the status of recycling in downtown Columbus?

While there isn’t a comprehensive commercial recycling program downtown, a grassroots effort spearheaded by Capital Crossroads SID and others provide resources to build recycling programs from the ground up.

Why don’t we have a comprehensive downtown recycling program in Columbus?

Many barriers exist to recycling, including initial investment costs and a lack of employee education. Additionally, many property owners are at a disadvantage because they are divided among a multitude of waste providers, often times with automatically renewing contracts. Recycling rates will improve as property owners demand better terms for affordable recycling services. This is where education helps.

How did Capital Crossroads SID get involved?

Various downtown property owners interested in recycling asked the SID to coordinate a downtown recycling program. Recycling will contribute to making downtown Columbus the “safest, cleanest and most attractive” commercial area in central Ohio.

How does Capital Crossroads SID support the recycling effort?

Organized a consortium of 35 property owners and contracted with GT Environmental to conduct waste assessments, which provided current recycling rates and defined barriers.

Facilitated a tour of the Lazarus building for property managers, highlighting the building’s 70 percent recycling rate.

Initiated a pilot paper recycling program among four downtown office towers.

Initiated a food waste pilot recycling program within a downtown hotel.

Produced monthly recycling e-newsletters providing updates, service providers and new and innovative practices.

Secured grant funding to develop an online recycling toolkit for downtown employees, tenants and property managers.

What recycling haulers service downtown?

Visit Find a Recycling Hauler for a list of recycling service providers. If your company would like to be added to this list, please contact Valerie Goettler.