One of the recurring realities of life in the East Bay and Contra Costa County, along with anywhere else that people live, is the need for junk removal.

Whether it’s because our stuff wears out, gets old, or breaks down – or if we simply accumulate too much stuff – at some point we need to get rid of some things that aren’t going to fit in the garbage bin we put out on our curbs. 

And that’s when junk removal becomes a sudden need and reality.

Who Wants to Do Some Junk Removal This Weekend?

That’s a question you’re not likely to get a positive response to. And there’s a good reason for that!

In fact, there are probably several good reasons why most of us wouldn’t find an afternoon at the landfill or waste transfer station an enjoyable outing. Pretty much no one wants to go to the dump, especially on a wet, winter day – or during the heat of an August afternoon. 

And that’s assuming you live close enough to one to make it a reasonable trip and not an expedition or ordeal. 

As we noted once before in a previous post, there are only a few waste facilities for waste management transfer in the entire area of both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. And only five of them are actual landfills, or dumps. 

One of the great things about junk, however, is that most of it is recyclable, which means a trip to a landfill really shouldn’t be the first option. Reuse, repurpose, or recycle should be the guiding principle for any junk disposal.

There are a few things you should consider, however, when recycling your old junk items.

While it’s a great option, just loading it all in a truck and taking it to a local recycling center is not the way to go. Most recycling service centers have limitations on what they can take and, because many junk items are composed of a variety of materials, they usually need to be dismantled first.

Some materials are easily recycled, while others such as certain foam or plastic materials might not be acceptable. On the other hand, metal junk such as steel or aluminum parts can be recycled as scrap metal and most wood junk is acceptable for recycling purposes.

Because most junk items and junk loads are likely composed of mixed materials, it’s always best to call first before hauling your junk to a local Contra Costa area waste transfer station facility or landfill. 

Junk Removal Doesn’t Always Mean Landfills

It may seem that the easiest option for junk removal is to simply take it all to the nearest dump and call it good. But proper junk disposal is never that easy. In fact, depending on where you live, just finding a local landfill or waste transfer station can be a problem. Part of the reason for this is that our available landfills are filling up and closing at a distressing rate.

And it doesn’t help matters that the United States generates an average of between four to seven pounds of trash per person every day on average.

According to the EPA website,

“In 2017, the amount of MSW generated was 267.8 million tons. The amount of MSW recycled was 67.2 million tons and the amount composted was 27 million tons. The amount of MSW combusted with energy recovery was 34 million tons, while the amount of MSW sent to landfills was 139.6 million tons.”

And, while much of this waste and trash is recyclable, too much of it still ends up in a landfill.

If we do some quick math that works to about 53 percent of all our trash, garbage, and junk being dumped into our rapidly diminishing landfills. What makes that all the more unfortunate is that approximately 60 to 70 percent of what we toss out is recyclable or reusable.

And what’s true for trash is all the more true for what we tend to refer to as “junk.”

Junk Removal and Disposal Isn’t Always a DIY Job

Perhaps the biggest challenge for anyone who wants to dispose of their junk is suitable transportation. Clark Kent might borrow the Yaris on Smallville, but it’s not the best for hauling junk across the County!

For many of us, the other challenge is letting go of junk we feel is still worth hanging onto.

Except that a year or two goes by and we haven’t used or even touched a lot of it. And that’s when we realize we’re just accumulating “junk” and hoarding things. 

No one likes to think that they’re a hoarder, but if we tend to keep things around that aren’t used or even seen, we need to reassess what needs to be kept and what really should go. 

The consensus among organizing consultants is that if you haven’t used something for over a year, you should get rid of it. Maybe not a truly valuable family heirloom, but certainly that wok from 1985 that you thought would be handy to keep around.

So, assess the actual value of items you are holding onto in your house, garage, attic, back bedroom, or rented storage unit. The goal is to identify all the truly junk items and then make arrangements to have them removed.  

On the other hand, you may have simply created a few piles of junk because you were already downsizing or preparing to move. And there is also the junk that gets created when you are in the midst of a residential remodel, a renovation, or even a large-scale landscaping project. 

All of these activities and more can leave you with unwieldy amounts of junk, trash, and debris that is far too much for you to get rid of yourself. When the junk is too much for DIY junk removal, call in the local pros: Junk King Contra Costa!

Why Call Junk King Contra Costa for Junk Removal?

When you hire Junk King you’re hiring the industry’s Number One junk removal service.

At Junk King Contra Costa, we use two-person teams with an oversized junk removal truck. Our trucks are up to 30 percent larger than our competitor’s trucks, which allows us to take more for less and with fewer trips. That’s good for you and for the environment!

Junk King not only removes your old, unwanted junk items quickly and efficiently, but we are committed to keeping as many of your items as possible out of landfills. In fact, our eco-friendly mission is to make sure as much of your junk gets recycled or donated as possible. We are the only national company to operate our business with a local sorting facility and the goal of recycling 60 percent or more of every job!

In addition to junk removal, Junk King Contra Costa also removes:

• construction debris
• yard waste
• appliances
• hot tubs
• large trash
• mattresses
• and more…

From Oakland to Martinez, we remove and dispose of junk safely and with award-winning service.

In addition to our great service, fair and transparent pricing is one of the hallmarks of our company and our prices are the lowest in our service area, including Emeryville, Berkeley, Concord, Richmond, Walnut Creek, and the Alameda and Contra Costa County areas. 

Local and Expert Junk Removal in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties

Did you have a recent move that left you with old junk you no longer have a place for? Have you recently upgraded to new home furnishings and need to get rid of your old junk? Or do you simply have a bunch of old and broken office junk at your place of business that you haven’t had time to dispose of?

Junk King Contra Costa will provide you with an efficient, safe, and eco-friendly junk removal service so you don’t need to worry about the pick-up or disposal of your old junk items. Our experienced junk removal team will carefully remove and haul off any types of junk you have. And, unlike the backseat of your car, our junk removal trucks are made to handle all types of junk items.

Ready to get rid of your old junk? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3.

You need only make an appointment with us by booking online above, or by giving us a call at 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).

Our professional and insured junk removal team will show up at your home or office, and we’ll call 15 minutes before we get there. Once on-site, we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your junk takes up in our truck.

You simply point and we load those old junk items into our junk removal trucks and haul them away with no hidden fees.

Do you need an old appliance removed right away? Click Here!

As much fun as it can be to buy a shiny new appliance, realizing you have to get rid of the old one can drain that excitement pretty quickly. Hauling away a 100-lb piece of machinery can be daunting, so it’s no wonder so many of us have non-functioning appliances cluttering up our basements and laundry rooms. However, in the spirit of spring cleaning, we at Junk King Contra Costa are here to help you get rid of those old rusting behemoths and return your basement to its sparkling clean condition.

Have you ever wondered how to best get rid of old appliances in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties? Well, appliance removal can be challenging no matter where you live. 

Large appliances can be heavy, bulky, and hard to move around. Even an average-sized microwave oven can weigh over 50 pounds with a full-size built-in oven weighing in at over 80 pounds. Which is nothing compared to an old refrigerator or washing machine!

(200 to 300 pounds each, in case you were wondering…)

How to Tell When It’s Time

Taking an old appliance off life support and buying a new one can be a tough decision given the costs involved. Nobody wants to spend several hundred dollars for a new washer or refrigerator until they really have to. That being said, the cost of keeping an old appliance running can quickly become higher than just buying a new one.

If your dishwasher, washing machine, or fridge is more than 10 or 15 years old, repairs are only going to become more and more frequent. Once you find yourself needing to fix the appliance every year or two just to keep it running, you’re really better off biting the bullet and picking up a new one.

Another solid rule of thumb is to look at the repair bill. If the cost of repairing the appliance is at least half the cost of buying a new one, it’s just not worth it. Just like an old car, an appliance in constant need of repairs is essentially totaled and should be replaced.

When It’s Time for New Appliances

There are a few common reasons for new appliances. And, perhaps the most obvious one is when your faithful old machine up and dies.

But there are other reasons that people decide it’s time to upgrade to a new appliance or set of appliances.

If the machines have been in the home for a number of years and a remodel of the kitchen or laundry room is completed, a new set of kitchen appliances and even a new washer and dryer can be just the thing to finish the new look.

Another common trigger for a new appliance is noise.

It could be your dishwasher, your washing machine, that old dryer clunking away louder every year, and even the refrigerator. When you can hear your appliances no matter where you are in the house, then you know that they are too loud and need to be either repaired or replaced.

Repairing them may be an option but, if they are more than 10 or 15 years old it is probably better to replace them. 

Online technology magazine, How-To Geek offers this advice,

• -How often does it need repaired?

If it feels like I’m constantly having to fix things on it just to keep it running for a couple more years, it’s probably a good idea to just send it out to pasture and replace it.

• -If it does break down, how much would it cost to repair?

If the repair is going to cost a lot of money, then I’ll consider replacing it instead of repairing it. The rule of thumb is that if the repair will cost over half of what a new appliance would cost, it’s a good idea to just replace it.

Whatever reason you have for replacing your old appliances, the next decision is likely going to be how to best dispose of them?

Your Options for Old Appliance Removal

It’s true that we live in a DIY society. Numerous television programs and websites cater to the growing trend of people engaging in “do-it-yourself” projects. And, while we certainly applaud the spirit behind the accomplishments of these DIY-er’s, removing, hauling, and disposing of your own large is not a DIY project.

However, depending on the size and working condition of the appliance, you could certainly consider “doing-it-yourself” if you take precautions and follow the right steps. 

And what are those steps?

No worries! We put together this handy checklist to guide you through the process:

Taking Care of Appliance Removal Yourself

As a homeowner or even a renter, you’ve probably gotten used to handling things yourself in order to save money. While removing an old appliance can be a real pain, it’s certainly possible to take care of it by yourself. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while planning things out.

Whether or not the appliance is functional will affect how you get rid of it. If you’re ready for a replacement but the old unit still works, it’ll be easier to remove. You can try selling it on Craigslist or eBay if it’s in decent condition, which will help offset the cost of the new one.

Otherwise, we recommend reaching out to local charities and nonprofits to see if they can make use of it. In both these scenarios, the new owner is usually happy to handle moving and transporting the unit for you, so it’s worth it just for the convenience factor.

If the unit is entirely non-functional, the disposal becomes a little more complicated. In Contra Costa County, local trash pickup won’t handle appliances for you, so you’ll have to drag the unit down to the landfill yourself. Certain appliances are classified by the county as hazardous waste, so we recommend checking out their website before hauling anything down to the dump.

Unfortunately, the landfill doesn’t have any recycling capabilities, so if you’re more environmentally-minded, you might have to wait for a recycling event if you want the county to take the appliance. Alternatively, Junk King Contra Costa does recycle everything that comes through our doors, so give us a call if you want to make sure your appliance is being reused properly.

Moving Appliances Safely

Major appliances can be heavy, with some units, like refrigerators, weighing up to 300 lbs. It’s easy to accidentally hurt yourself while moving something with that much weight, so we recommend taking care when lifting appliances.

If you’re not sure if you can move the unit, then don’t try! There’s no shame in getting help, and it’s worth shelling out a little extra money to hire someone if it means avoiding back injuries. Just think – when was the last time you met someone who used to have a bad back?

If you do plan on moving an appliance yourself, make sure you get help from friends, neighbors, or family members. It’s also a good idea to use a dolly if you have one, which will hold the weight for you while also making sure you don’t scratch your floors.

Finally, never bend over to lift something by using the muscles in your back, which can cause a ton of strain to your spine. Instead, crouch down and lift with your legs. The older we get, the more fragile our bodies become, and even a single injury to your back can cause lingering issues for the rest of your life.

The Risks With DIY Appliance Removal

If you are working with any type of appliance larger than, say, a microwave oven then you really should not consider undertaking disposing of it yourself. 

Not only is it difficult, labor-intensive, and even dangerous, it’s not necessary given the ease and cost-effectiveness of using a professional service like Junk King Contra Costa. Appliance removal requires several things that not every homeowner or apartment dweller is equipped with. 

And that doesn’t even take into account that few people can manage a full-sized appliance by themselves, Dwayne Johnson excluded!

There are problems that come with moving major appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, wine coolers, and other large items. For starters, they can leak, tear up your floors, scratch or dent the walls, and possibly expose you to mold or mildew.

In addition, depending on your health, physical size and strength, and the equipment you are (or are not!) using, it is frighteningly easy to hurt yourself. Common injuries suffered while moving appliances include:

• – Strained back
• – Broken fingers and toes
• – Knee and ankle sprains
• – Cuts and scrapes
• – Pinching or crushing

So, if just reading through that brief list causes you to cringe, then you should be rethinking the notion of removing your old appliances yourself. However, just in case that isn’t enough persuasion, there are also transportation and disposal issues.

It probably goes without saying that removing a large appliance will require a truck of some kind. It may be possible to use a cargo van or even a larger SUV, but the fact is that not everyone owns one of these vehicles. 

If, however, you do own a truck or have access to one – and you have the help you need to load the appliance on it – there is still disposal to think about.

In Contra Costa County, for example, there is a select list of facilities that will accept most of your old but working, and non-working, appliances. However, the county’s website posts the following warning:

“With the continuous advances of technology many appliances become obsolete. The cost of handing, transporting, repairing and/or recycling often exceeds the value of these items; as a result, many of these items require a special disposal fee.”

But that’s not the only warning. If you were thinking that the easiest option is to simply take a ride to the “dump” and dispose of your old appliance in a landfill, think again. The County also points out that,

“Microwaves and most appliances containing pilot light sensors and electrical switches and relays are classified as hazardous waste and banned from landfill disposal. Pilot light sensors are found in some gas appliances such as stoves, ovens, clothes dryers, water heaters, furnaces and space heaters.”

In the final analysis, we would say again that DIY appliance removal is not a great option. But there is a great option that is both easy, safe, and eco-friendly!

Just Call the Professionals

If the idea of hauling your old appliance away by yourself seems a little daunting, don’t worry! Save yourself the time, effort, and potential injury by calling Junk King to handle the removal for you.

Our professionals are well-trained and have plenty of experience hauling away even the heaviest units, so we’ll get that old refrigerator or dishwasher out of your home in no time at all. They’re even specifically trained to maneuver heavy objects through tight hallways or apartments without causing any damage to the walls, so your security deposit is perfectly safe.

Not only will we handle the lifting and carrying for you, but we’ll also take care of the disposal as well. At Junk King, we’re proud to have a legacy of environmental consideration dating back to the day we were founded, so we recycle everything we can from all we bring in.

That means donating functional units, or stripping and recycling the materials from a non-functional appliance too. In fact, we’re the only national junk hauling company that operates local sorting and recycling centers wherever we go.

Worried about the cost? We offer free no-strings-attached price estimates for anyone who calls, and we’re always up-front about the cost of our services. If you’re interested, you can book an appointment online or just give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK and we’ll be happy to help you with anything you need. Just tell us what you need us to haul away and we’ll take care of the rest.

Call On Junk King Contra Costa for Appliance Removal

If you want the industry’s Number One appliance removal service for your old appliance disposal needs, call on Junk King Contra Costa. 

We use a two-person team and one oversized junk removal truck. We say “oversized” because Junk King’s appliance removal trucks are up to 30 percent larger than our competitor’s trucks. Why does that matter? Because it means we can take more of your junk for less money.

In addition, Junk King Contra Costa can not only remove your old, non-working appliance pieces quickly and efficiently, but we are committed to keeping as many of those pieces as possible out of landfills.

Junk King’s eco-friendly mission is to make sure as much of your appliance – and all your other junk – gets recycled as possible. We are the only national company to operate our business with local sorting facilities and the goal of recycling 60 percent or more of every job!

And, if your old appliance is working, it can even be donated. We can take care of that, too.

Along with appliance removal, Junk King Contra Costa can take your yard waste, furniture, remodeling construction debris, and even an excessive accumulation of trash or garbage. Our other services include storage unit cleanouts, mattress removal, hot tub disposal, electronic waste disposal, and television disposal.

In addition to our great service, our pricing is the lowest in our service area, whether that’s Brentwood, Clayton, Byron, Danville, or San Ramon. Fair and transparent pricing is one of our hallmarks.

Your Appliance Removal Team in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties

Did you recently upgrade your appliances and now have some appliances that you need to get rid of? Maybe it’s not appliances, but old furniture taking up space after you upgraded to new home furnishings? Or is there a bunch of old equipment, supplies, and office furniture at your workplace that you haven’t had time to dispose of?

Junk King Contra Costa delivers efficient, safe, and eco-friendly appliance removal service so you don’t need to worry about the pick-up or disposal of your old pieces. Our experienced appliance removal team will carefully remove and haul away all types of appliances. And our junk removal trucks are made to handle those large, heavy items. (Unlike your family car!)

Ready to get rid of your old appliances? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3. You need only make an appointment with us by booking online above, or by calling us at 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).

Our professional and insured appliance removal team will show up at your home or office, and we’ll call 15 minutes before we get there. Once there, we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your junk takes up in our truck.

You simply point and we load those old appliances into our junk removal trucks and haul them away with no hidden fees.