Trash and Recycling in Pataskala

Start with your address

The City's residential trash and recycling contract applies inside the City's corporate boundaries, meaning the city limits. Mail addressed to Pataskala, OH also reaches homes outside those limits, so a Pataskala mailing address does not settle it.

Surrounding townships can have different collection arrangements, so the first step is to confirm whether the property is inside the City. The Pataskala Resident Guide explains how to check with official lookup tools.

Inside the City: who collects

The City of Pataskala contracts with Local Waste Services for residential trash and recycling collection inside the City. City Council approved the contract in August 2025.

The arrangement began October 1, 2025, and the current contract term runs through September 30, 2028. What happens after that depends on future City action.

The household's account is with the hauler. You deal directly with Local Waste Services to set up service, and the hauler bills households directly. Curbside recycling is part of the residential service.

Using a different hauler

Under the City's contract terms, a covered residential householder may not employ another refuse and recycling hauler without giving just cause to, and obtaining permission from, the City Administrator. This guide describes the contract terms and is not legal advice. Questions about that permission go to the City of Pataskala administration.

Which properties the contract covers

The contract is written for residential buildings with up to three households. If you live in a larger multifamily building, ask the landlord or property manager how waste service is arranged. Commercial service is outside the City's residential contract.

How to start service

For a covered property inside the City, contact Local Waste Services to open the household account. The hauler supplies the standard trash cart and recycling cart and handles billing.

This guide does not list charges because they can change. The hauler's Pataskala service guidelines show its current charges and payment terms.

The contract also provides for a senior rate, garage-side collection for residents who qualify, and a limited number of hardship waivers approved by the City Administrator. Ask Local Waste Services about the first two and the City about a hardship waiver.

Pickup schedule

Collection is weekly. Under the City's contract terms, weekly service covers trash, recycling and yard waste.

Local Waste Services lists Friday as Pataskala's collection day and asks residents to have materials out by 6:00 AM. The hauler publishes one schedule for the City of Pataskala. Check its current service guidelines before relying on it.

The hauler asks that materials go in bags or containers of no more than 50 pounds each. Other preparation rules can change, so check the hauler's current guidelines rather than relying on a list here.

Yard waste

The City's contract includes yard waste in weekly collection, but the provider's published guidance is narrower about preparation. Check with Local Waste Services for current yard-waste and brush preparation rules before setting material out.

Holiday delays

Local Waste Services' current rule for Pataskala: if a holiday falls on or before your collection day, service is delayed one day, that week only. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no change to the scheduled pickup day.

The hauler lists the holidays it observes, with this year's and next year's dates, on its Pataskala service guidelines. Check there for a specific holiday week.

Recycling

For covered City residential service, curbside recycling is included with trash service and collected weekly. Local Waste Services provides a recycling cart along with the trash cart.

The hauler's main recycling instructions for Pataskala:

• Place recyclables loosely in the bin. Do not bag or bundle them.
• Plastic grocery bags are not accepted. Return them to a grocery store.
• Window glass and glass dishes are not recyclable.

For the current rules, see the hauler's Pataskala service guidelines or contact Local Waste Services. For drop-off recycling, see beyond curbside pickup below.

Bulk items

Call Local Waste Services at 614-409-9375 before setting out a bulk item. Acceptance requirements vary by item, so confirm whether your specific item will be accepted and whether it needs special preparation or handling.

• If the item is upholstered, such as a mattress or box spring, the hauler’s guidance says it must be wrapped and sealed in plastic.
• Appliances that contain Freon need a call to the office first, and the hauler charges a disposal fee for each one. Its guidelines show the current fee.

More detail is on the hauler's Pataskala service guidelines.

Missed Pickup or Service Problem

Report a missed collection to Local Waste Services. The hauler says missed materials must be reported within 24 hours of the normal pickup day. The City's contract routes collection complaints to the hauler.

For starting or stopping service, billing, and cart or service questions, contact Local Waste Services or use its customer account portal. PataskalaOH.com cannot resolve collection or billing problems.

Recycling and disposal beyond curbside pickup

Licking County Recycling is the County agency that manages public recycling drop-off sites, publishes recycling guidance, runs occasional special collection events and points residents to options for materials that curbside service does not handle. Its office is administrative and is not a general drop-off point for materials.

Public recycling drop-off sites

This review found no County public recycling site inside the City of Pataskala. The nearest sites on the County's list are:

• Harrison Township – Outville. Harrison Township Service Complex, 6750 Outville Road. This site has a Pataskala mailing address but is a Harrison Township facility.
• Etna Township. Etna Township Garage, 1145 South Street.

The County's recycling locations page has the current list and a map. The schedule shown on that list is when the bins are emptied, not opening hours. We could not establish opening hours or any residency or fee rules for these sites, so check with Licking County Recycling.

The bins are for household recyclables. Check Licking County Recycling's current accepted-material list before making a trip, because it changes over time.

What weekly pickup will not take

Some materials are outside ordinary weekly collection or need a call first. Each entry below says where to check next. Options, charges and limits are set by the hauler or by the places the County lists and change often, so this guide does not copy them.

Large or bulky items

Contact Local Waste Services before setting out a large or bulky item. See Bulk items above for what the hauler's current Pataskala guidance says.

Appliances

Check with Local Waste Services first, and use Licking County Recycling's current disposal guidance for other options. For appliances that contain refrigerant, the hauler's guidance says to contact its office.

Electronics and televisions

This review did not establish a permanent public County electronics collection program. Licking County Recycling's guidance on electronics lists current options. Televisions can have different restrictions from other electronics, so check before you go.

Household hazardous waste

The residential hauler does not collect household hazardous waste. No permanent Licking County household hazardous waste collection program was established in this review. Contact Licking County Recycling for current guidance and any future collection events.

Batteries

Disposal options differ by battery type. See Licking County Recycling's guidance on batteries.

Tires

The residential hauler does not collect tires. Licking County Recycling's guidance on tires lists current recycling and disposal options.

Yard waste

The City's contract includes yard waste in weekly collection. Check preparation rules with the hauler, as described above. The County's guidance also identifies private compost and mulch options.

Construction and remodeling debris

Construction debris is not part of ordinary weekly residential collection. Arrange disposal separately. Whether a project needs approval is a separate question from where its debris goes. For the approval side, see Permits for Home Projects in Pataskala.

If the property is outside the City

A Pataskala mailing address does not establish coverage under the City's contract. If the property is outside the city limits, the City's arrangement with Local Waste Services is not what determines its service.

Licking County Recycling's curbside recycling information describes differing arrangements in surrounding townships, including Harrison, Jersey and Etna townships. The County dates that page October 2025 and arrangements can change, so verify the current arrangement for your township and address.

Official resources

• City of Pataskala: Set Up Services
• Local Waste Services: City of Pataskala service guidelines and contact page
• Licking County Recycling: curbside recycling information, recycling locations and schedule and frequently asked questions, which is its current disposal guidance

Sources and methodology

City Council records establish the franchise. Council approved a resolution in August 2025 authorizing a contract with Local Waste Services for residential refuse and recycling collection, and the City's bid document, attached to that resolution, sets out the terms summarized here. Both are in the City's Council records. The City's Set Up Services page identifies the provider. Local Waste Services' Pataskala service guidelines supply the current customer-facing collection instructions. Licking County Recycling supplies the recycling, drop-off and special-material routing.

Some limits apply. The review found the City's bid and contract exhibit and the Council approval record, but did not locate a separately executed contract document. Where the contract exhibit and the hauler's published guidance differ, this guide points to the hauler's current guidance rather than choosing between them.

Collection arrangements change. If something here differs from the City's, the hauler's or the County's own information, follow them and let us know so we can correct it.