environmental action

City of Columbus Opens Four More Food Waste Drop-Off Sites for Residents’ Use

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The City of Columbus has opened four more community locations where residents can take food scraps for composting.

The Division of Refuse Collection services offer residents convenient, sustainable disposal options to divert these materials from the Franklin County landfill. The four new food scraps drop-off sites feature marked collection containers in outdoor enclosures at these Recreation and Parks locations:

  • Beatty Park and Community Center – 247 N. Ohio Ave., 43203
  • Northeast Park and Howard Community Center – 2505 Cassady Ave., 43219
  • Linden Park and Community Center – 1350 Briarwood Ave., 43211
  • Carriage Place Community Center – 4900 Sawmill Rd., 43235

“We are excited to expand accessible drop-off services in more neighborhoods throughout Columbus as residents look for options to sustainably dispose of food waste and divert it from the landfill,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “Expansion of residential services marks our commitment to meeting the city’s Climate Action Plan goals to reduce landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions for a healthy, clean Columbus.”

The new drop-off sites build on the success of three food scraps locations launched in 2023 by Refuse Collection. Since then, residents’ usage at the Bill McDonald Athletic Complex, Dodge Park and Community Center, and Scioto Southland Park has diverted more than 100,000 pounds of food waste from the landfill.

Residents may also bring food scraps to Refuse Collection’s two drive-through Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers, at 2100 Alum Creek Dr., and the newly opened location at 1550 Georgesville Rd.

Visit columbus.gov/foodwaste to learn what food scraps items are accepted for drop-off.

*****To reduce contamination, pumpkins should not be dropped off at the city’s food waste sites.

Recycle Your Political Yard Signs After the Election

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This time of year, political yard signs of all types sprout up like daisies in yards and public rights of way throughout central Ohio.  These metal, plastic, and paper signs are a vital way for voters to express themselves and to encourage their neighbors to vote, but once the election is over, they become clutter in our garages and litter on the roadside.

Fortunately, though, there are several convenient, easy, and free ways to recycle those signs so that they can continue to be useful and don’t end up in our community’s landfill.  SWACO is holding its yearly Election Sign Recycling Event on the Saturday after the election, and there are also two other locations this year where you can drop off yard signs for recycling.

  • SWACO Recycling Convenience Center Drop-Off: Throughout the month of November, yard signs and their metal stakes can be dropped off at the SWACO Recycling Convenience Center at 2566 Jackson Pike in Columbus between 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
  • Board of Elections Drop-Off: Yard signs can be dropped off November 5th through December 1st at the east end of the parking lot near the Franklin County Board of Elections building at 1700 Morse Rd. in Columbus.
  • One Day Mobile Collection Event: On November 9th from 8 a.m. to noon, there will be an election sign collection event held in the parking lot at the Bill McDonald Athletic Complex located at 4990 Olentangy River Rd. in Columbus.

If you are unable to attend the mobile collection event or visit one of the mentioned locations, paper signs can be placed in your home’s curbside recycling container and the stretchy plastic signs can be recycled at retail locations accepting film plastics. Please don’t put coroplast signs or metal stands in curbside or drop off containers.

All of the yard sign drop-off and collection options are free and open to the public.

Swaco.org

Volunteer with Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries

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Upcoming opportunities to remove invasive plants and plant native trees

Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries (FACT) has upcoming service opportunities! Put on some sturdy shoes, grab your garden gloves and help improve the green space of your local communities.

Make a Difference Day, Saturday, Oct. 26th 9:00am-12:30pm

Boyer Preserve, 452 E. Park St. Westerville 43081

  •   Remove honeysuckle bushes and other invasive plants, clean up a hidden woodland oasis and waterways.

Honeysuckle Removal, Friday, Nov. 8th, 9-11am

Hoff Woods Park, 556 McCorkle Blvd, Westerville, OH 43081

  •   Remove honeysuckle along the tree line next to the parking lot near the playground.

Plant 60 Large Trees  Saturday, Nov. 9th**  10:00 am -2:00 p.m.  

Pathways Park Alum Creek Trail, Final Third Foundation

4475 Sunbury Rd., Columbus 43219

  •   Dig, plant and water native trees along the Alum Creek Greenway Trail, between Chiller Lane-Easton Way.
  •   Volunteers – please wear sturdy work clothes and footwear. Bring your own beverage container, favorite gloves, and long shovel for tree planting. FACT will provide some loaner tools, gloves, snacks & beverages.
  •    **Make up & rain date – Sunday, Nov. 10th, or the following weekend

Learn more about FACT here.

Ohio State Professor joins National Academies in Environmental Justice Report

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Ohio State News recently shared an article featuring Ohio State Professor of Geography, Harvey Miller, who worked with National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM). This collaboration created a report offering recommendations for developing tools that can help federal agencies fairly identify which areas deserve the most help for environmental problems such as air pollution, noise and wastewater.

“We are at a hinge point in history, and the choices we make now will reverberate for generations,” Miller said in a personal note that was published as part of the final report. “I sincerely hope that this report helps to move our nation forward toward a future with environmental justice for all.”

Geospatial tools – the focus of the report – are designed to integrate different kinds of health, social, environmental and economic data to come up with a composite score – a single number that can tell policymakers whether a community should receive special consideration for environmental funding.

Read the full article here.

Use Water Wisely During Dry Weather

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ODNR Urging Wise Use of Water Resources Due to Dry Conditions

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water Resources is urging the public to use water resources wisely due to dry conditions across Ohio. During periods of drought, it is imperative that Ohioans use water wisely. The Division of Water Resources is providing education and information to a variety of business sectors that rely on water. The resources will aid in water conservation and encourage consideration of downstream users, water quality, drinking water supply, and wildlife in operational planning.

Water conserving practices to improve water efficiency at home include:

  • Abstaining from or irrigating lawns and landscaping only during the coolest part of the day and observing local watering restrictions, such as designated watering days/times.
  • Repairing leaks quickly and updating old fixtures to more efficient types
  • Reducing shower time, which saves 5-7 gallons of water per minute.
  • Only running the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads. This saves hundreds of gallons annually per household.

All of the resources and educational materials are available on ODNR’s Water Conservation Website.

Currently, 77.8% of the state is under varied drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates the majority of the state is currently experiencing abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions, with several counties affected by severe to exceptional drought. The drought is predicted to persist in southern and eastern Ohio and continue to develop in central, northern, and western regions. To view the current conditions, visit https://www.drought.gov/states/ohio.

 

Fireworks Should Leave Memories, Not Trash

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UPDATE: Cleanup Opportunity at Mock Park on July 5.

It is not uncommon to find streets and beaches littered with the remnants of fireworks after the holiday. Pieces of plastic, paper, and cardboard that are not properly disposed of, can easily make their way to the beaches and the ocean to become marine debris.

There are a number of activities we can all partake in to keep our beaches free of firework debris. Here are just a few:

  • If you launch it, pick it up. Cleaning up after ourselves and ensuring we properly dispose of our own fireworks trash is the very first step in addressing this issue.
  • Join in on a post-Fourth of July cleanup. Check with your local communities to find out how they take care of post-holiday cleanup and how you can be involved.
  • Spread the word. As the holiday approaches, talk to your friends and neighbors about the potential for firework debris to turn into marine debris.
  • Celebrate safely. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to learn how to properly and safely handle and dispose of used fireworks. More on Firework safety.

By celebrating the Fourth of July and enjoying fireworks responsibly, we can honor our country through protecting our beloved coastal environments, and the marine animals who rely on these habitats.

Also see:

Central Ohio – Disposing Hazardous Waste

Keep Hilliard Beautiful

Keep Columbus Beautiful

Delaware County Litter Prevention

Keep Ohio Beautiful

Recycle Right with SWACO

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April is Earth Month, and to help you celebrate Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) curated an impressive lineup of educational webinars and home recycling tips to help you go green and stay green all year long.

Don’t Waste This Earth Day – Commit to Recycling More! April 22nd at 12:30 p.m.  Webinar.

Take the guess out of recycling and start recycling with confidence! SWACO is here to provide you with answers. Whether it’s about hard-to-recycle items such as appliances or Styrofoam, we’ll help you determine the best method for reusing or recycling. Register!

Recycle Right at Home with these Tips

  • Packaging is Key – Purchase products with minimal or recyclable packaging to reduce the amount of material sent to the landfill.  
  • How Clean Should They Be? Don’t obsess over how clean your recyclables are. The main goal is to make sure they’re empty and give them a quick rinse if needed.
  • Go Paperless – Opt for an e-receipt when at the store and consider digital subscriptions for your favorite magazines.  
  • Size Matters – Items such as bottle and jug caps and metal can tabs are too small to be recycled alone. Either leave them on bottles and cans and recycle them together or discard individual caps and tabs in the trash.  
  • Recycle Solar Eclipse Glasses – Drop off your gently used eclipse glasses at one of these participating locations and help make the future brighter and safer for young stargazers.   

https://recycleright.org/

Celebrate Earth Day with your Community

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The Green Team ERG understands that you can’t make all of the events that OSU and the medical center have to offer, but you can still make an impact in your community. Many of these events are also kid-friendly and a great way to begin instilling a love and appreciation for the Earth in growing minds.

  • What: Columbus Zoo Earth Day Celebration and recycling drives
  • When: Earth Day Celebration: April 20-21, 2024, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Earth Week Donation Drives at the Zoo: April 22 – 26
  • Where: Columbus Zoo; 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065
  • More information: Earth Day with the Zoo; Learn about little things that you can do in your daily life that will add up to make a big difference for all living creatures. There will be lots of Earth Day activities focusing on conservation, including games, crafts, Animal Enrichment, Character Ambassadors and Meet & Greets, and more! Watch the animals receive special Earth Day treats and enrichment throughout the day.
    • Battery Donation Drive: April 22
    • Handheld electronics donation drive: April 23
    • Styrofoam Recycling Drive: April 24
    • Electronics Drive: April 25
    • Item Donation Drive: April 26

  • What: Grove City EcoFest
  • When: Saturday, April 20 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Where: 3359 Park St., Grove City Town Center
  • More information:  Discover Grove City; All ages learn about sustainability, spring Farmers’ Market and eco-friendly practices through hands-on activities, crafts, vendors, games and more.

  • What: Earth Gathering (24th-annual festival)
  • When: Sat, Apr 20, 2024  11:00 AM   – 6:00 PM
  • Where: 1 Enderlin Circle (Yoctangee Park), Chillicothe, OH 45601
  • More information:  Earth Gathering; Earth Gathering is a juried-invitational art festival with an Earth Day theme designed to enlighten, entertain, and inspire the public with Earth-friendly art, music, food, products, and ideas. Inclement weather date is the following day (Sunday April 21). EG is a family friendly event with art activities for children.

  • What: Seeds of Caring’s Kids as Planet Protectors: An Earth Day Celebration
  • When: Saturday, April 20 10:00 AM  2:00 PM
  • Where: Grange Insurance Audubon Center; 505 W Whittier St, Columbus, OH 43215
  • More information: Seeds of Caring; Join Seeds of Caring for this FREE Earth Day celebration where kids ages 2-12 can participate in environmental activity stations such as nitrogen demos with COSI Science Live, worms and composting with Franklin Park Conservatory, and bee-keeping with Ohio Queen Bee! This is a rain or shine event in partnership with Grange Insurance Audubon Center and Presenting Sponsor Amazon Web Services. Registration is free but required.  Come learn how to be kind to the earth and plant a tree (we’ll have 250 of them)!

  • What: Bexley’s Earth and Arbor Days
  • When: Sat, Apr 20, 2024; 10:00 AM (Eastern)
  • Where: Schneider Park, 2130 Astor Ave, Columbus, OH 43209, USA
  • More information: Sierra Club Ohio; City of Bexley’s Sustainability Department, Green Bexley, and the Bexley Tree & Public Gardens Commission, you’re formally invited to participate in our 2024 Earth and Arbor Days Celebration, a community event for vendors to educate and inspire attendees with actionable items for protecting the planet and planting more trees!

  • What: Wetland Earth Day Planting @ Shepherd’s Corner
  • When: April 20 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
  • Where: Shepherd’s Corner Ecology Center; 987 Waggoner Road, Blacklick, OH 43004
  • More information: Wetland Earth Day Planting; Dig holes and help plant 250 native trees and bushes!

City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Featured Earth Day Conservation Events

  • What: OCNA Earth Day Event!
  • When: April 24th from 12-1PM
  • Where: Outpatient care New Albany, Meet near West Staff Entrance (to the side of the Medical Office Building)
  • More information: OCNA Earth Day Event! Please join Surgical Specialties for a lunchtime walk around our OCNA paths to tidy up our work community & refresh yourself. Known as “Plogging”: Swedish term for the simple act of picking up litter while you run, hike, or walk in your community.

  • What: City Nature Challenge: Columbus
  • When: April 26 – 29, 2024
  • Where: varied
  • More information: Earth Day Columbus; Join Green Columbus and other organizations across Central Ohio to document the vast plants, fungi and animals that we have. Let’s appreciate the biodiversity of these vast waterways, forests, and micro-habitats within Columbus, Ohio.

  • What: Arbor Day at Dawes Arboretum: Festival and Spring Plant Sale
  • When: April 27 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Where: Franklin County Fairgrounds, Gate 5
  • More information: Dawes Arboretum; Admission is free all day thanks to our presenting sponsor Park National Bank! Help us celebrate all things trees with hands-on activities, a tree giveaway (while supplies last), tree climbing, music and more! Food trucks will be on site, and the spring plant sale will feature Ohio native plants.

  • What: 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration!
  • When: Saturday, April 27 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Where: Lynd Fruit Farm, 9399 Morse Rd, Pataskala Ohio 43062
  • More information:  Monarch Meadows; This is a non-ticketed event. Everyone is welcome! We will have food trucks, Birds of Prey, kids crafts, live music, raspberry plants, apple trees, and of course NATIVE PLANTS!

  • What: Genoa Park Earth Day Celebration
  • When: Saturday, April 27, 11am-8pm
  • Where: Genoa Park 303 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
  • More information: Earth Day Columbus; This family-friendly event will feature local music, fun activities for children and adults, food, and drinks, and booths from a diverse array of sustainability-focused vendors and nonprofits.

Volunteer at Columbus Mobile Produce Markets

  • What you’ll do: Interact and support the community as we distribute fresh produce to our neighbors. Help prep and pack produce in reusable grocery bags.
  • Available shifts: Thursdays and Fridays, 1:30 p.m.

Recycle Your Used Eclipse Glasses

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The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) and partners including the city of Columbus, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are partnering to collect these used but undamaged eclipse glasses for reuse. Through a partnership with Solar Eclipse USA the glasses collected from central Ohio will be sent to schools in Latin America and distributed to school-aged children so they can view the October 2024 Annular Eclipse. You can make a difference.

Drop off your gently used solar eclipse glasses at one of the following locations before April 30, 2024 and help make the future brighter and safer for young stargazers. Collection locations include:

SWACO Recycling Convenience Center, 2566 Jackson Pike, Columbus
Columbus Waste & Reuse Center, 2100 Alum Creek, Columbus
Participating Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks at: 

  • Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway
  • Blacklick Woods, 6975 E. Livingston Avenue, Reynoldsburg
  • Blendon Woods, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus
  • Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland-Cory, Plain City
  • Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center
  • Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Rd., Hilliard
  • Prairie Oaks, 3225 NW Plain City – Georgesville Rd., West Jefferson
  • Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Westerville

 Together, we can make a difference for central Ohio’s environment and the lives of children around the world.

Spread the word!!

SWACO.org

Webinar Series: Gardening for Conservation

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Are you passionate about preserving our planet’s natural beauty and biodiversity? Curious about how you can make a difference right from your own backyard?

We’re thrilled to announce our Gardening for Conservation webinar series, brought to you by The Nature Conservancy and Ohio State University Extension. Learn how to create wildlife-friendly habitats, manage invasive species and promote sustainable practices right in your own green space while engaging with experts who will share their insights on practical conservation strategies tailored for your local environment.

All events held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:15 pm ET.

Wednesday, April 24th

Homegrown Conservation: Gardening for Bees, Butterflies and Birds

Wednesday, May 22nd

An Update on Ticks for 2024

Wednesday, June 26th

Growing Your Own Food for Conservation

Wednesday, July 24th

Rooting Out Trouble: Managing Invasive Plants in Your Landscape

Wednesday, August 28th

The Good, The Bad and the Hungry: Dealing with Wildlife in the Garden

Wednesday, September 25th

Everyone Loves Free (plant) Food!