Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio
SWACO is a government solid waste authority for Franklin County, Ohio, operating the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill, transfer stations, and Recycling Convenience Center, while delivering free business, multifamily, school, and community recycling, food waste diversion, and education programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersGrove City, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio does
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) is a political subdivision and independent government authority organized under Ohio state law to manage solid waste across Franklin County. Founded in 1989, SWACO operates the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill (handling over 1 million tons of material per year), two transfer stations (Jackson Pike and Morse Road), and a Recycling Convenience Center, along with multiple drop-off sites distributed across the county. The organization serves four primary customer segments: residential households, businesses (including a Business Champion program that provides free containers, signage, and hauling reimbursement), K-12 schools, and multifamily properties, with additional programming for municipalities and community organizations.
SWACO's service portfolio spans disposal operations, recycling education and outreach, food waste diversion via the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative, multifamily recycling support, and grant-funded community waste-reduction programs. Its subsidiary brands include Circular Ohio, RecycleRight, and Save More Than Food. SWACO is pursuing a 350-acre Green Economy Business Park in Grove City to attract recycling-reliant and sustainable manufacturing operations, and is partnering with Rev1 Ventures to develop landfill gas-to-renewable energy projects. There are no indications of proprietary software platforms beyond informational websites and static templates (waste audit tools, recycling plan PDFs); the underlying technology is physical waste-management infrastructure.
SWACO's revenue model rests primarily on landfill tipping fees charged at the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill and transfer stations, supplemented by drop-off fees for special items (electronics, tires, paint) at the Recycling Convenience Center. Business recycling programming is offered at no cost to participating businesses, and many residential and educational services are free, funded by tipping-fee revenue. As a public authority, SWACO is governed by a Board of Trustees, operates as a non-profit political subdivision, and is exempt from income tax with no private-equity or corporate ownership structure. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio
- Legal name
- Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio
- Website
- https://swaco.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SWACO is a government solid waste authority for Franklin County, Ohio, operating the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill, transfer stations, and Recycling Convenience Center, while delivering free business, multifamily, school, and community recycling, food waste diversion, and education programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solid Waste Management
- NAICS
- Solid Waste Landfill (562212), Solid Waste Collection (562111), Waste Collection (56211)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration (BPAIACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Recyclables Transfer & Consolidation (Single/Source-Separated) (BPALABAD), Recycling Transfer & Consolidation (Single-Stream, Dual-Stream, Source-Separated) (EUAIABAC), Consumer E-waste Collection & Take-Back Programs (EUAIAIAA), On-site Waste Collection & Segregation (Front-of-House/Back-of-House) (BPABALAA)
Keywords
Where Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grove City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Waste Disposal Tipping Fees: SWACO generates revenue through tipping fees charged at the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill and transfer stations for waste disposal services provided to residents and businesses.
- Recycling Convenience Center Fees: Revenue generated from drop-off fees for special items at the Recycling Convenience Center including electronics, tires, and paint disposal.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free Business Recycling Program - No cost to join |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Landfill Disposal Tipping Fees |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SWACO is a government solid waste authority that operates the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill, two transfer stations, and a Recycling Convenience Center, processing over 1 million tons of material per year. It provides free business recycling programs with containers, signage, and hauling reimbursement, plus technical assistance, multifamily recycling support, school education programs, and community waste reduction grants. The authority also leads regional initiatives including Circular Ohio, the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative, and a planned 350-acre Green Economy Business Park.
Product overview
SWACO (Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio) offers a comprehensive portfolio of waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability programs for residents, businesses, schools, and communities in Franklin County. The core offerings include the Business Champions Program with free recycling containers, signage, and hauling reimbursement; the Multifamily Recycling Program with Property Manager's Toolkit; Technical Assistance for waste audits and program development; and the Business Recycling Toolkit with seven-step implementation guides. Regional initiatives include Circular Ohio (educating about the circular economy), the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative, and the Green Economy Business Park development. Facility services include the Recycling Convenience Center accepting standard recyclables and special items. Educational programs target schools (E-Waste Diversion, Green Teams, grants), and grant programs support community and event waste reduction. The organization connects these programs through RecycleRight.org as a public resource portal.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Circular Ohio: Initiative showcasing Ohio's circular economy and recycling industry
- Recycle Right
- Save More Than Food
Products and services
- Business Recycling Program Comprehensive recycling support for businesses including free containers, signage, and 6 months of hauling reimbursement to help launch and sustain recycling programs at no cost to the business.
- Business Champions Program Recognition and support program for businesses that implement recycling or food waste diversion, offering technical assistance, free containers, signage, and hauling reimbursement.
- Multifamily Recycling Program Recycling support for apartment and condominium complexes, connecting property managers with recycling services and providing free educational materials.
- Technical Assistance Expert consultation for businesses on starting, improving, or expanding recycling programs, including site visits, hard-to-recycle material solutions, and food waste diversion strategies.
- Recycling Convenience Center Drop-off recycling facility at 2566 Jackson Pike, Columbus, OH accepting cardboard, paper, glass, metal cans, plastic bottles, and special items including appliances, electronics, batteries, tires, paint, and household hazardous waste for all Franklin County residents.
- Franklin County Sanitary Landfill Disposal Primary disposal facility accepting waste from residential and commercial customers under tipping fee pricing. Processes over 1 million tons of material annually.
- Transfer Station Services Waste consolidation and transport services at Jackson Pike and Morse Road transfer stations, with direct customer access during operating hours.
- Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative Collective regional effort to tackle food waste through business resources, partnerships, and the Save More Than Food website.
- Circular Ohio Educational initiative highlighting Ohio's circular economy and the journey of recyclables from curbside to new products, featuring local recycling-reliant businesses.
- Green Economy Business Park 350-acre greenfield development in Grove City, Ohio to attract recycling-reliant businesses, manufacturing jobs, and sustainable materials management companies. Site has existing gas, power, water, sewer and fiber utilities, located a half-mile from I-71 near downtown Columbus.
- Community Waste Reduction Grant Grant funding for community organizations implementing waste reduction initiatives in Franklin County.
- Event Waste Reduction Grant Grant funding for events seeking to reduce waste and increase recycling and composting.
- School Programs Comprehensive K-12 recycling education including E-Waste Diversion Program, school recycling resources, grants for schools, Green Teams, kid's games, and landfill tours.
- Property Manager's Toolkit Loan program providing free signage, posters, yard signs, vinyl banners, and educational materials for property managers to educate tenants on recycling and attract environmentally conscious residents.
- Business Recycling Toolkit Seven-step guide and downloadable resources for businesses to design and implement successful recycling programs, including planning templates and waste audit tools.
- RecycleRight Public Portal Public-facing website for Franklin County residents providing recycling education, search tools for recycling locations, and quizzes to test recycling knowledge.
Quantifiable outcome
- 76% of landfilled materials could have been diverted from landfill
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Rev1 VenturescoreSWACO is working with Rev1 Ventures to develop public-private partnerships for renewable energy projects, including converting landfill gas into renewable energy sources for Central Ohio residents.
- Environmental Crimes TaskforceminorCollaborative task force addressing environmental crimes related to illegal dumping and improper waste disposal in the region.
- Grove CitycoreSWACO is working with Grove City for rezoning approval of the Green Economy Business Park project located across from the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill.
- Central Ohio Food Waste InitiativecoreCollective effort to tackle food waste in Central Ohio region through coordinated programs and resources for businesses and residents.
- Ohio EPA - Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) ProgramminorSWACO refers businesses to Ohio EPA's E3 Program which recognizes organizations for exceptional achievements in environmental stewardship.
- Ohio EPA Materials MarketplaceminorSWACO directs businesses to Ohio EPA's free online platform for connecting businesses to find reuse and recycling solutions for waste materials.
- Sustainable Ohio By Products Synergy NetworkminorSWACO refers businesses to quarterly meetings and engagement opportunities for finding diversion solutions through this collaborative network.
- U.S. Green Business Council (TRUE Program)minorSWACO promotes the TRUE Zero Waste Rating System designed to promote zero waste practices and certification for workplaces.
- The Recycling PartnershipminorNational organization focused on improving recycling in multifamily properties; SWACO references their research on apartment recycling challenges.
- City of ColumbuscoreSWACO and City of Columbus partner to offer free household hazardous waste collection for Franklin County residents.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Republic Services: Major U.S. solid waste and recycling company providing collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal services across dozens of states. Comparable end-to-end waste-management offering including landfill operations, recycling processing, and sustainability/circular-economy programs.
- Waste Management, Inc. Largest North American solid waste services company offering collection, transfer, recycling, and landfill disposal nationwide. Operates landfills and transfer stations that compete for regional haul volume and replicate SWACO's integrated service portfolio at much larger scale.
Direct peers
- Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District: Ohio solid waste district serving Cuyahoga County (Cleveland area) with recycling, waste reduction, business programs, and education. Direct statutory peer in the same state regulatory framework as SWACO.
- Hamilton County R3source: Solid waste management district for Hamilton County, Ohio providing recycling programs, business outreach, education, and waste-reduction services analogous to SWACO's mandate. Closest government-authority peer in Ohio with similar residential/business recycling programs.
- Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County: Florida government solid waste authority operating landfills, transfer stations, recycling facilities, and education programs for Palm Beach County. Closest structural analog in another state—same political-subdivision model with integrated disposal and recycling mandate.
- Rumpke Waste & Recycling: Family-owned regional waste hauler headquartered in Ohio operating landfills, transfer stations, recycling facilities, and commercial/residential collection across the Midwest. Direct overlap with SWACO in collection, transfer, landfill disposal, and recycling services for Ohio generators.
Regional players
- Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste District: Multi-county Ohio solid waste district operating recycling, drop-off, and waste-reduction programs in northeast Ohio. Comparable government-authority role and service mix to SWACO but serving a different geographic region.
- RecycleBC: Extended producer responsibility organization managing residential recycling for British Columbia. Comparable program-architecture role (financing and coordinating residential/business recycling) but operating under a different regulatory and geographic framework.
Emerging players
- ReCollect Systems: Technology vendor providing digital tools for solid waste authorities and haulers (collection calendars, recycling search, education portals). Adjacent comparator to SWACO's RecycleRight.org public resource portal and could be considered an enabling partner or threat to in-house education tech.
Others
- SCS Engineers: Environmental engineering and consulting firm serving solid waste authorities on landfill design, gas-to-energy, permitting, and compliance. Relevant peer/ecosystem participant for SWACO's landfill operations and gas-to-energy partnership work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio social profiles
Digital presenceSolid Waste Authority of Central Ohio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio
What does Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio do?
SWACO is a government solid waste authority that operates the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill, two transfer stations, and a Recycling Convenience Center, processing over 1 million tons of material per year. It provides free business recycling programs with containers, signage, and hauling reimbursement, plus technical assistance, multifamily recycling support, school education programs, and community waste reduction grants. The authority also leads regional initiatives including Circular Ohio, the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative, and a planned 350-acre Green Economy Business Park.
Is Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio a public or private company?
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio founded?
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio was founded in 1989. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio based?
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio is headquartered in Grove City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Waste Disposal Tipping Fees are the primary driver. The others are recycling Convenience Center Fees.
Who are Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Republic Services and Waste Management, Inc.. Direct peers are Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, Hamilton County R3source, Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County and Rumpke Waste & Recycling. Regional players are Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste District and RecycleBC. ReCollect Systems is listed as an emerging player. SCS Engineers is listed as an others.
Does Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio have an API?
No public API is recorded for Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio.
What industry is Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio in?
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio's product category is Solid Waste Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAH, Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration, with a secondary code of BPALABAD, Recyclables Transfer & Consolidation (Single/Source-Separated). Its NAICS code is 562212 and its SIC code is 4953.