COLUMBUS, Ohio — Rumpke Waste & Recycling says workers at its Columbus material recovery facility have recently seen an increase in sports balls mixed into the recycling stream, prompting the company to remind residents about what items are accepted.
The facility, which processes material from more than 50 counties each month, routinely removes items that are not part of Rumpke’s recycling program. According to the company, workers have pulled out footballs, soccer balls, and basketballs in recent months and set them aside to highlight common non‑recyclable items.
Rumpke says items such as sports balls, mattresses, clothing, electronics, and other materials can contaminate the recycling stream, damage equipment, or create safety hazards if they contain batteries.
The company’s accepted materials list includes plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, cups, and clear clamshell containers; metal food and beverage cans; glass bottles and jars; cartons with caps and straws removed; and paper and cardboard.
Rumpke encourages residents to review its guidelines and offers free tours of the Columbus facility for those interested in learning more about the recycling process.
More information is available at rumpke.com.