So, you’ve finally decided to tackle your spring cleaning and you got the whole family involved. You’re ready to turn the house upside down and finally get rid of all those boxes gathering dust in your basement, the old jeans that you’d promise you’d fit into by summer, or the box of toys your kids long outgrew (and might even be embarrassed by when you remind them of it). But even after you’re finished organizing the essentials from what’s unnecessary, you’re still left with a pile of items you no longer need. This may be a good time to consider a junk removal service. Whether you don’t know where to start or are unsure of how to dispose of your junk properly, please remember to follow these rules of what you shouldn’t do with your junk:
DUMP IT:
In the alley or on the corner, it doesn’t matter! All junk has a proper way of being disposed of and if you are unsure of how to proceed with getting rid of that old fax machine, printer or box of gently used clothing then consult the internet. When e-waste is thrown away in the trash, it ends up in the landfills and these toxic compounds can leach into soil and water, polluting the environment. Fortunately, there is a way to properly dispose of your e-waste: return your used electronics for responsible recycling, rather than throwing it into the trash. Your box of clothes from the ‘80s may remind you of bad fashion choices but can also be incredibly useful for an individual or family in need. Look for donation bins or bring all gently used textiles to a Goodwill or Salvation Army – a little extra effort on your part can go a long way!
LEAVE IT ON THE STREET:
It’s not uncommon for couches, lamps, shoes and other items to be left on the curb with a “free” sign on it. The idea may be good in principle but not in execution. Others will be wary of picking your old items up from the curb – especially if they’re worried about bedbugs! You may think you’re doing yourself a favor by getting rid of these items immediately for someone else to pick up but remember – you’re also exposing them to the elements, not to mention the sanitation department who will be lugging it to the landfill! If you’re willing to wait it out just a bit longer, consider hosting a yard sale or putting your items up on Craigslist. If your items can be donated, make sure to go through the proper channels and ensure it goes to the right charity or donation center.
BURN IT:
Old envelopes, bills, and memorabilia from your ex are all things that you’d set ablaze when no one is looking. However, as hard as it is to resist a bonfire, burning plastic, rubber or other man-made materials will release toxic substances into the atmosphere that are incredibly dangerous to the environment. Not to mention, you’ll be endangering yourself and those around you with all that toxic ash that can easily get into the ground and your water supply. Ideally, you shouldn’t burn anything, other than for cooking food or heating your home. Burning leaves, plant clippings, paper, and cardboard is less hazardous than plastics – but is still not a healthy practice. Look to dispose of all man-made materials at the dump, compost leaves, and garden waste and recycle all paper goods after shredding them!
It can be easy to impulsively toss something out without recycling it properly – or sometimes we just don’t have the time to organize everything accordingly before it is taken to the landfill. Scrubby Corp will always be here to help you keep your commitment to protecting the planet. So, whether you’re feeling too overwhelmed to sort everything out yourself or don’t know where to start, we will happily do all the hard work for you. Not only will we try to donate as much on your behalf as possible, but we’ll also do our best to keep your junk out of the landfill so that it may help someone in need.
Our junk removal services include a one-time removal of materials that a trash company won’t haul away (i.e., major appliances, furniture, etc.). Our junk removal team specializes in attic cleanup, basement cleanup, garage cleanup, deck removal, estate cleanup, above ground pool removal, hot tub removal, and more. If you’ve got unwanted junk or trash that your garbage service won’t pick up, you know you have a local cleaning service who’s willing to help get it removed.
