Getting rid of an old water heater, oven, or other appliance can be a pain. You've got several main options, and they all have benefits and drawbacks. You can load it in your own truck and take it to a dump or recycling center, contact your local trash pickup to find out if they have a large item trash day, or you can hire a junk hauling service to take it away and dispose of it.

PROS:

• Cheapest option
• Can be done completely on your own schedule

CONS:

• Must have a vehicle that can do the job
• Can be dirty and may have unexpected costs at a disposal location
• Requires research to find the right place to disposal location

PROS:

• Trash pickup comes to you on scheduled days
• Is often included in your usual trash collection costs

CONS

• Could incur additional fees from your trash collector
• Can only be done on the scheduled large item days, which may be once a month
• Many local trash services limit the size and weight of large items

PROS:

• Can be scheduled for any day of the week
• Junk haulers will do the heavy lifting to remove and load the item
• Licensed and insured junk removal companies will dispose of the item in a responsible way

CONS:

• Hiring a third party costs more than DIY and local trash pickup (fuel costs, disposal fees, paying employees a fair wage, etc.)

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As you can see, there is no perfect option for every old appliance disposal situation. It is important to understand the costs and challenges involved with all options. While junk removal services may seem like a premium price, with charges usually starting around $100 for large items, you also get the benefit of haulers doing the hard work, convenient scheduling, and knowing that your item is being disposed of responsibly.

If you would like to talk to us about an old appliance, call us at 720-740-7200 or

The junk hauling industry is a specific subset of the waste management industry. Junk removal specialists often use open bed trucks, as opposed to the front or rear loading garbage trucks that regular trash services use. While junk hauling companies, including Sustainable Junk Removal, will often have regular contracts, we don't provide weekly trash collection at your curb, the way a municipality like Denver or a company like Waste Management might. Instead, we are called out for specific needs.
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The kind of situations where you might call a junk hauling service include:

• Large items that trash collectors can't take or won't take; things like couches, mattresses, old appliances, and other pieces of furniture.
• One-time, large scale cleanouts, such as a cluttered garage or living area.
• Quick disposal of damaged items from floods, infestations, fire damage, etc.
• Yard waste that is either too much for trash collection or outside of organic waste collection periods.
• Special circumstances, like hoarding, estate cleanout, rental leftovers, construction waste, and commercial overflow trash.​

The history of the industry doesn't go back that far. While there have likely been people who hauled junk for as long as there's been trash, the idea of a competitive industry of junk hauling specialists is relatively recent. Our largest competitor, 1-800-GOT-JUNK, started in 1989, which is likely where organized junk hauling began. They are now an international corporation, based out of Canada, with over 150 locations in three countries. We are not here to trash the competition (pun intended); there's plenty of junk to go around. Their success is incredibly impressive! What's also impressive is their commitment to reducing landfill waste, which is what motivated us to start Sustainable Junk Removal.
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Your junk isn't simply dumped into a landfill when you use a reputable junk hauler, like Sustainable Junk Removal. One advantage of the open bed junk hauling truck is the ability to sort and organize items as they are loaded. Your junk can be separated into categories such as:

• Reusable/donation items
• Recyclables
• Special disposal items, like electronics and tires
• Organic waste/yard waste
• Items that are delivered to processing facilities for mixed materials
• And finally trash sorting facilities that remove items from the categories listed that may have been missed before sending what's left to a landfill.

The availability of these different facilities will vary from market to market. We are lucky as a Denver-based junk hauling company to have an array of options to help us keep Colorado clean. When you have a situation that calls for junk removal in Denver and the Front Range, we hope you'll call us at 720-740-7200 or contact us through the website to see how we can help.

The days of pouring paint down the gutter and tossing perfectly useful excess construction materials in a dumpster are over, and rightly so. The general rule in remodeling projects is to buy 10% more than you estimate that you need, in case of  overruns. What do you do with the leftover bits from a home improvement project that are brand new and perfectly useable? What about solvents and chemicals that you'll never use again? Do you store them in your garage for the next 20 years, taking up space and slowly going bad? You COULD, but there are better options. Let's talk about a few ways to dispose of leftovers from a remodeling project.

What can you do with extra construction material?

• Most cities have building material reuse donation centers. Quite often, it will be a Habitat For Humanity Restore, but there are often local options, Like Bud's Warehouse in Denver, as well. These places will often come to you to collect materials that they need the most, then they resell them to the public well below retail, and that money goes to charitable causes. Items accepted range from nails and screws to vanities and cabinets, both new and used. (Bonus tip: If you are slowly collecting parts for a project or you don't have a specific model or color in mind for a project, you could save a lot of money by shopping at a building material resale store.)
• In the event that there are items that a reuse store cannot accept because they already have too much or don't have customers that need those items, it's a good idea to check with a general donation center. Places like Goodwill and Savers will often take small amounts of supplies that the building supply resellers won't. A small box of a dozen tiles might not be useful for someone buying enough to retile even a backsplash, but it could be perfect for someone's mosaic craft project. 
• Solvents and chemicals require special care. Paints can be recycled. Yes, that's right. Recycled paint is growing in popularity. Quite often, a building material resale store can point you in the direction of a recycler. Some municipalities have chemical drop-off days. Everything from paint thinner to pesticides can be dropped off and are reused or disposed of appropriately. 
• Finally, if all else fails, you have two more options for those leftover building supplies. First, post them for free or cheap in a public forum like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. You'll reach a large audience and you might find that one person who needs three square feet of laminate flooring. Your second option is to hold onto some parts in case you need to patch something in the future, or, if you're like me, you don't expect this to be your last project. Leftover parts can be useful for smaller projects and repairs. Just keep them organized, or you may be calling Sustainable Junk Removal to clear out a mountain of jumbled building supplies so you can park in your garage!

As part of our commitment to being environmentally friendly, when we are called out to take these leftover building supplies in bulk, we do our best to ensure that useful items are distributed in responsible ways. Unfortunately, we cannot accept chemicals and solvents, but we can certainly take away remnants, removed vanities and cabinets, carpet, drywall, and much more. If items still have a useful life, we do our best to let it continue that life. If they are worn out, we will break them down and responsibly distribute them. Call to learn more. 

Here is a list of resources in the Denver area for building material reuse:

• www.habitatmetrodenver.org/restore/
• www.extrabuild.com
• www.budswarehouse.org

And a list of places for chemical and solvent disposal:

• ​www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/trash-and-recycling
• www.greensheenpaint.com

We all know the feeling of waking up from a long Colorado winter hibernation only to find that our closets, basements, garages, and maybe even our general living spaces have gotten a bit cluttered and messy. It can be overwhelming to try and take on a big mess, but we've found some tips to help you tackle that Spring cleaning project thanks to Merry Maids.

They have four main points:

1) Create a Cleaning Checklist - Starting with this step helps you build a plan, and keeps track of what you have accomplished.
2) Do a Little Each Day - Trying to take on too much at one time can be overwhelming. Break it down into manageable chunks, and work in a day for a break!
3) Get Organized - What good is a clean space if it just gets junky again in no time. Organize the spaces you clean, and break that down into manageable chunks, as well.
4) Know When to Ask for Help - We couldn't agree more with this one. Know when a cleaning service is needed to help you meet your goals, but also know when you might need Sustainable Junk Removal to come out and haul some of the clutter, trash, and junk away in one go. A little garbage can wait for trash day, but a big Spring decluttering job could leave you with a pile of junk that just needs to go. That's exactly what junk haulers are here for. We bring a big truck, load it for you, and make quick work of that junk pile.

Call us today at 720-740-7200 to take away your Spring cleaning clutter.
For more information about the Merry Maids tips, check out their article HERE

All April, Sustainable Junk Removal is helping you clear the clutter for less. All you have to do is drag it to the driveway or the curb and we'll knock 10% off the price of your junk hauling. We take everything from yard waste to oversized trash. Get a start on spring cleaning with our help.

This discount applies to everything we haul and all load sizes. Cleaning up the yard? Rake it or drag it into a pile in the driveway and call us to come get it. Messy garage? Set the clutter outside the door and it's ready to go. Got an old piece of furniture taking up space? Set it out at the curb and let us do the rest. All we require is that you leave it in an easily accessible place for us to haul it away.

Set it out and save! Call us today for more information.

Summer is approaching fast! That's our busy season at Sustainable Junk Removal, and we want to be prepared to haul as much junk as we can. We are in search of a few good junk haulers. Experience is great, but a positive attitude and energy are even more important. We remove junk from all around the Denver area, and you'll run into many different interesting and unique situations.

Our employment offers full-time and flexible part-time scheduling, and we are hiring now. The more efficiently you work, the more you make per hour. If you are looking for an side job for a little extra cash or a position that offers an opportunity to grow and lead, drop us a line. We promise this job is anything but boring!

  Now that Colorado is beginning to emerge from the winter months, we are coming out of hibernation, too. To celebrate our reopening for 2022, we are offering a Pre-Spring Special of 10% off of all junk hauling services larger than a single item until April 1st. Get a jump on your spring cleaning and take advantage of the discount while you can! We are looking forward to being your Denver junk hauling choice.

How do I donate my items to help Afghan refugees in Denver?
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Afghan refugees that are relocating their entire lives need help with essential daily items. Denver is likely to host many of these families. Everything from furniture to food is helpful. If you want to donate directly to a cause, there are several charities leading the way in Denver. Here are a few:

• International Rescue Committee
• African Community Center
• Lutheran Family Services

What kind of donation items are needed to help refugees in Denver? 

• Furniture: Couches, tables, bedroom furniture, lamps, and chairs.
• Cookware: Pots, pans, cups, plates, silverware, mixing bowls, etc.
• Linens: Sheets, blankets, towels, washcloths.
• Toiletries, household cleaning items, bikes, clothing (especially for cold weather), and food are always needed.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of people who have been upended and lost everything they have known. If you are considering cleaning out a few items, see if they can go to help people in need before throwing them away. While we are not a donation service, we would rather see items put to good use to help people than ending up hauled away with the trash. If your items are no longer useable, or don't fit with what can be donated, we will be happy to by the hauling service that takes those things away.

Redecorating and sprucing up your living space can be a lot of fun until the time comes to find a way to get rid of your old furniture. For some, it's just a hassle trying to find a dumping facility, but for many there are additional environmental concerns.

Can I donate my old furniture?

Yes! The first thing to consider is whether the furniture is at the end of its useable life. If you think someone might be able to use it, there are many options from donation to resale that could take your old furniture and make it new to someone else. Denver has many charities and resale shops. We think reuse is the best option, and here are a few options in the Denver area:

https://armchairsamaritan.com/
https://www.habitatmetrodenver.org/
https://denverrescuemission.org/
https://www.thegoodusedcouch.com/

Should I just throw my old furniture away?

If it is beyond repair, badly soiled, or damaged in some other way, it is time to find a proper way to dispose of it. Recycling is the second best option to reuse. There may be furniture recycling facilities near you.

Many municipalities offer large item pickup as part of their trash collection, but there can be restrictions on what items are accepted. If you live in Denver and surrounding areas in Colorado, you might check those resources. Here are three local links:

Denver
https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Departments/Recycle-Compost-Trash/
Aurora
https://www.auroragov.org/residents/trash___recycling
Westminster
https://www.cityofwestminster.us/largeitemcleanup (Sorry, cancelled for 2021. Check back in 2022)

Whether you live in Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton, or even as far out as Parker or Boulder, there are online resources from most municipalities to help you.

Who will haul my old furniture away for me?

What if you don't have the means or the time to drag your broken furniture to the dump, recycling facility, or wait for a large item trash day? That's where a junk hauling service comes in.

If you want to get rid of old furniture in Denver and surrounding areas in Colorado, one of the easiest ways to do it is to hire a junk hauling service. You won't have to wait for oversized trash collection days, and you won't have to ask friends to help load up your stuff and take it to a dump. At Sustainable Junk Removal, we handle the removal, loading, hauling, and disposal of your old furniture in Denver and surrounding areas.

Can I drop off my old furniture myself?

We are not a drop-off facility, but there are places that are open to the public. We do not have a comprehensive list of facilities in the area, so the best option is to use an internet search to find one near you. Be sure to call ahead and learn about the process for a dump facility. You will often find that the minimum fee and the time and effort are not really any savings over hiring us to take care of it for you, but make sure to cover your load if you do choose to haul it yourself!

One last note on what NOT to do when getting rid of old furniture. Never dump any trash illegally. That includes dropping donations off outside of the donation processing times or at locations that are not equipped to accept furniture. Not only is it bad for the environment and a terrible eyesore in a state as beautiful as Colorado, but getting caught comes with hefty fines.

Depending on the condition of the piece, it can be free to donate some used furniture at charity and resale shops, or you might even make a few bucks if you resell it yourself. It's always best to reuse before recycling or trash.

Here are even more ideas on the topic from the city of Denver.
Denvergov.org - Don't trash it. Donate it!