Trash complaints piling up in East Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Columbus residents turned to ABC6 after trash began piling up in their alleys. The City of Columbus is fully staffed when it comes to trash pickups. So, it’s not a lack of crews available. Rather, it’s what people are trying to toss in their trash containers.

If you look at the trash containers on the near east side, many have been emptied. Still, there is trash in the alley.

“I feel bad,” said Gene Jones, a long-time resident. “They need to just stop it, that’s all I can say.”

Gene Jones, a resident in the neighborhood, said he has seen it all. Noting, tables, tires, and many other items have ended up in his alley. Jones tries to pick up what hasn’t made it into the containers, and properly dispose of them.

The City of Columbus is urging residents to do the same and take note of what they are throwing out.

“Make sure people understand the value of recycling,” said Emmanuel Remy, a City of Columbus Council Member.

Emmanuel Remy, a City of Columbus Councilmember, said residents also must secure garbage in bags.

“If you throw loose trash into those bins when the automated truck comes and picks it up, things fly out of it,” said Remy.

As far as bulk items like furniture go, those simply don’t fit or belong in the same bins. Those larger items require a scheduled pickup through the city’s 3-1-1 line.

“They get a reservation, they identify how much they have," said Remy. "They will be out on that day to collect the items they have revered their time for."

Remy adding that illegal dumping is a problem the city is trying to combat. Still, residents need to report those incidences. Each day, five additional crews go through the alleys and pick up illegal dumping. Remy said there is a lot of ground to cover, and they do rely on help from residents to identify those places in need.