Cincinnati Dump & Recycling — Hours, Rules & What It Takes
Cincinnati works differently from most of Ohio. There's no county landfill and no city transfer station: disposal here is a private business, and that business is Rumpke, a Cincinnati family company that has been hauling the city's waste since 1932. Its Sanitary Landfill in Colerain Township takes household trash, furniture, mattresses and construction debris from homeowners, weekdays and Saturday mornings. Before you drive anywhere, though, check the City's own services: curbside bulk pickup of up to five items and 18 public recycling drop-offs.
Won't take: hazardous waste, liquids, lead-acid batteries, whole tires, medical waste, pesticides and fertilizers, fluorescent lamps, or appliances still containing refrigerant. Appliances with the refrigerant removed, electronics, batteries, dirt, asbestos and empty drums or pails need Rumpke's prior approval, so call first. Rumpke says the site is set up for homeowners as well as businesses and construction crews.
The City's side: bulk pickup and 18 recycling drop-offs
Bulk items: City garbage customers can schedule a pickup of up to five bulk items through 311, 311Cincy.com or the 311Cincy app. They're collected on your regular collection day or on a Friday. Put out more than five, or set them out too early the night before, and the property owner can be cited. Tires are a separate 311 pickup, up to four per location.
Yard waste is collected every other week, April 20 through the second week of January, on your recycling day: in paper bags or labeled cans under 25 lbs, with branches under 6 inches thick bundled in 3-foot lengths. Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste also runs yard trimming drop-offs, including one at the Rumpke landfill on Struble Road.
Recycling: Rumpke's public recycling dumpsters sit at 18 sites across the city, taking bottles, cans, and all paper and cardboard. Hours vary a lot: parks run dawn to dusk, Findlay Market and Third & Central downtown are open 24 hours, and a few keep business hours only. Check the City's list before driving to one. Recycling questions go to 311 or (513) 765-1212.
These are recycling dumpsters, not a disposal site. Household garbage and construction debris go to Rumpke.
How Cincinnati compares across Ohio
Ohio's big metros run disposal in completely different ways, which is why a rule you learned in one doesn't carry to the next. Compare Cleveland and Columbus, or see the full picture in our guide to what it costs to dump in Ohio.
Find a disposal site near you
Enter your city or ZIP for the nearest sites across Ohio, then call ahead — access rules and hours vary a lot here.
Rumpke Sanitary Landfill, 3800 Struble Rd, Cincinnati OH 45251, in Colerain Township. It's open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 to 11:30 a.m., and Rumpke says it's set up for homeowners as well as businesses. Call (800) 828-8171 for the gate rate.
Can I take a mattress or an appliance to the Cincinnati landfill?
Mattresses and furniture, yes. Appliances only once the refrigerant has been removed, and those need Rumpke's prior approval, so call (800) 828-8171 first. City garbage customers can also schedule a curbside pickup of up to five bulk items through 311.
What won't the Rumpke landfill take?
Hazardous waste, liquids, lead-acid batteries, whole tires, medical waste, pesticides and fertilizers, fluorescent lamps, and appliances that still contain refrigerant. Electronics, batteries, dirt, asbestos and empty containers need prior approval.
What are the Rumpke Sanitary Landfill's hours?
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 to 11:30 a.m., closed Sunday, according to Rumpke's facility finder. Large loads should arrive well before closing.
Does Cincinnati have free recycling drop-off?
Yes. Rumpke's public recycling dumpsters are at 18 sites across the city, taking bottles, cans, and all paper and cardboard. Hours vary by site, from dawn to dusk to 24 hours to business hours only, so check the City's list. Questions go to 311 or (513) 765-1212.
