The city’s Refuse Collection Division will conduct the 13th annual special collection of bulk refuse in the University District from Wednesday, August 26, through Friday, September 11, but the collection will be done in a significantly different way than in the past.  Because the Refuse Collection Division has fewer resources devoted to bulk refuse, University District residents must take bulk trash to one of 11 drop-off sites designated for this collection.  The city will not send trucks through the neighborhoods to pick up bulk trash simply set in the alleys or beside refuse containers.

If a resident can’t take items to the drop-off sites, then he or she should contact the city’s Call Center to schedule bulk pick-up at his or her residence.  Contact the Call Center at (614) 645-3111 or www.311.columbus.gov.  A call placed in late August is likely to result in a scheduled pick-up in October.

Residents who have good, clean usable furniture and household items can donate these items to MAP Furniture Bank, which redistributes the items without charge to Columbus families in need.  Contact MAP at (614) 272-9544 or visit www.mapfurniturebank.org to arrange the donation and pick-up.

The designated drop-off sites for the city's special collection are:

* Northeast corner of Grant Avenue  and E. 7th Avenue
* Rear of 51 W. 9th Avenue
* Rear of 175 W. 9th Avenue
* Rear of 107-109 E. 11th Avenue
* Rear of 104 E. 12th Avenue
* Rear of 155 E. 13th Avenue (available after August 31)
* Rear of 107 E. 14th Avenue
* East Woodruff Avenue at Tuller Street
* North Fourth Street at Iuka Avenue.
* West Patterson Avenue next to Tuttle Pool
* Williams Street between Oakland and Patterson

The special collection of bulk refuse is conducted to keep the alleys cleaner during the annual move-out and move-in of college students.  Supporting the Refuse Collection Division’s effort are SWACO, MAP Furniture Bank, Campus Partners, University Community Business Association, Buckeye Real Estate, NorthSteppe Realty, University Apartments and University Manors.