Columbus neighbors call for return of 300-gallon trash bins after thefts of smaller bins

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — New concerns are emerging with attempts to stop illegal dumping in Columbus and remove all 300-gallon trash bins by the end of 2024. Neighbors are calling ABC6 On Your Side to say their smaller replacement trash bins are becoming a target of thieves.

"If I get another one, they'll steal it again and again and again," Hilltop neighbor Jerry Hackney told ABC6 On Your Side Problem Solvers after reporting his 90-gallon bin stolen to 311 on Feb. 7.

"This is where we were keeping our trash," said Hackney while pointing to store-bought trash cans in his backyard. "I took it to my dad's house the last time I went out there. I took it all out there and burnt it."

311 dispatchers who recorded Hackney's call last month stated:

"Resident is frustrated with new containers. He never received a container with the conversion and had to wait for one. States the container is too large to fit through his garage and place in alley so he has to leave container in alley or walk around block. States there is major traffic in alley from local drug dealer and people dump trash in his container, hit the container and now someone has walked off with the container. Request submitted to replace container. Resident feels these smaller are problematic as the homeless walks away with them. States he has several containers that do not belong to him now behind his garage. Resident would like 300 containers replaced. Please call resident for other options."

A week later, Hackney said he received a letter from the city regarding his recycling container that he had also reported missing. The letter stated property owners whose container is missing, stolen, defaced, or burned will be charged a $45 replacement fee. The cost to replace the 90-gallon trash bins is $67.50.

While leaders say the city does not make any money off the replacement fees, the city collected $15,000 in replacement costs in 2019. That figure dropped dramatically last year to just over $6,000.

City crews instruct property owners to place their bins at the curb or back alley the evening before pick up and pull them back to a safe location the following day. For individuals who cannot physically do so due to disability, the city offers a medical exemption. Here's a link to apply for such assistance.