311
or 614-645-3111: nothing is collected without a scheduled request
Free
for furniture, mattresses, carpet, and non-refrigerant appliances
2
free Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers (Alum Creek Dr and Georgesville Rd)
Every route for carpet and rugs in Columbus, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Columbus guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Columbus, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
City of Columbus scheduled bulk collection: carpet and rugs
Free, with a step firstCarpet is accepted once scheduled: roll it, cut it to about 4 feet, and tie it.
Who qualifies: Homes that get City of Columbus refuse collection (the city cart). Larger apartment complexes use private haulers.
How to schedule: Nothing is collected without a request. Schedule online at 311.columbus.gov or call 311 (614-645-3111); you get a specific collection day. Waits of a week or two are common.
Limits: No published pile limit, but items must be listed on the request. Rolled carpet must be cut to about 4 feet and tied.
Set-out: On your scheduled day only. Curb-collected homes put items in front of the house; alley-collected homes put them at the alley line on the edge of the property, clear of obstructions. Never put bulk items in the cart.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Columbus: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering carpet and rugs, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Columbus: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Columbus runs a strict but well-organized system: bulk pickup is free, but you MUST schedule it first through 311. Items placed at the curb without a scheduled appointment will not be collected and may be tagged as a code violation. Columbus also rolled out weekly curbside recycling citywide in June 2023, a major upgrade from the old biweekly model, and yard waste runs biweekly on a Zone A or Zone B rotation. SWACO (Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio) contracts with EEI for free household hazardous waste disposal for all Franklin County residents. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
The Columbus rule for carpet and rugs: Carpet is accepted once scheduled: roll it, cut it to about 4 feet, and tie it.
Program basics: No published pile limit, but items must be listed on the request. Rolled carpet must be cut to about 4 feet and tied. On your scheduled day only. Curb-collected homes put items in front of the house; alley-collected homes put them at the alley line on the edge of the property, clear of obstructions. Never put bulk items in the cart.
What the city will not take: Refrigerated appliances of any kind (refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, water coolers, heat pumps), auto parts and tires, electronics, hazardous materials, construction and building materials, and eviction or foreclosure set-outs.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Columbus Refuse Collection: Bulk Collection. Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Why carpet and rugs are different from ordinary bulk. The volume is the first surprise. Carpet rolls do not compress, and a whole house of carpet can be 500 to 1,000 pounds spread over 15 to 25 rolls. Bulk programs set item limits that a whole-house removal exceeds, so staged pickups or a hauler are often needed.
Three mistakes that get carpet and rugs left at the curb:
Paid options are for whole-house tear-outs that exceed bulk limits and for contractor-generated carpet, which residential bulk programs exclude.
Self-haul to a transfer station or recycler
$20 to $80Rolled carpet loads easily into a pickup or trailer. Transfer stations charge by weight; carpet recyclers charge a small per-pound fee or accept free where stewardship programs exist.
Weigh it in your head: about 0.5 pounds per square foot for carpet, 0.25 for padding.
LoadUp paid carpet pickup
$80+For households who need same-day service, have items the City won’t accept (Freon appliances, electronics, construction debris), can’t wait for a scheduled bulk appointment, or live in larger buildings without included bulk service, LoadUp offers professional removal in Columbus with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your carpet. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book carpet pickup in Columbus with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Columbus proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Columbus junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national carpet and rugs disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Columbus: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Columbus pick up carpet and rugs for free?
Yes, rolled, cut to 4 feet and tied, after scheduling through 311.
How much does paid carpet and rugs removal cost in Columbus?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single carpet pickup in Columbus starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For households who need same-day service, have items the City won’t accept (Freon appliances, electronics, construction debris), can’t wait for a scheduled bulk appointment, or live in larger buildings without included bulk service, LoadUp offers professional removal in Columbus with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
Can I put old carpet out with bulk trash?
Yes in most cities, if it is cut into rolls under the program’s length limit (usually 4 to 6 feet), rolled tightly, and tied. Padding should be rolled separately. Contractor-generated carpet is usually excluded. Check your city’s rule below.
How do I cut and roll carpet for pickup?
Flip a section face down and cut strips 3 to 4 feet wide from the back with a utility knife and a straight edge. Roll each strip tightly and tie it in two places with twine or wrap it with tape. Keep rolls under about 50 pounds.
Is carpet recyclable?
Yes, though access varies. Nylon carpet is the most recyclable, and padding is widely recycled into new padding. California’s CARE program provides free drop-off statewide; elsewhere, carpet reclamation facilities and some flooring retailers accept it, sometimes for a small fee.
What do I do with the tack strips?
Pry them up with a flat bar, stack them nail side in, wrap tightly in cardboard, and tape. Put the bundle in the trash cart or with bulk, clearly wrapped so no one gets stuck.
Is this Columbus page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Columbus guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.
