Junk King Contra Costa

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Category Archives: Contra Costa Junk Recycling

Why Recycle E-Waste in Contra Costa?

Ewaste recycling

 

If you’re an environmentally-conscious person, you’ve probably heard a lot about e-waste lately. As electronic devices have become more complicated and more essential to modern life, the disposal and recycling of those devices are becoming more and more of a hot topic. This is especially true in more environmentally-minded places like the Bay Area, where recycling is held as a point of pride. E-waste comes at the intersection of the area’s progressive roots and its presence as a tech hub, making it an important topic of discussion in San Francisco, Contra Costa, Silicon Valley, and the surrounding areas.

 

At Junk King Contra Costa, we think proper e-waste disposal is important too. In fact, we make sure all our trained junk removal specialists are experts at handling and recycling all sources of e-waste, including old televisions, computers, cell phones, monitors, and other appliances with computer parts like smart fridges and modern A/C units. We pride ourselves on being the greenest company in our industry, going all the way back to our founding in 2005. That’s why we recycle up to 50% of everything we take in, after sorting every single piece of junk we haul away.

 

In the state of California, it’s illegal to dispose of e-waste in the trash, which means recycling is the only option. However, there are plenty of reasons why you should want to recycle your e-waste properly even without government oversight. Here are a few thoughts on why e-waste recycling is something you should be paying attention to.

 

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Healthier for the Environment

 

Old Broken TV

 

There are two main reasons why repurposing old electronics is significantly better than just tossing them in the trash. The first is that the materials they’re made of just aren’t biodegradable. Electronics are largely made up of metals and plastics, which means your old laptop could take thousands of years to fully decompose after you throw it away. That’s a big problem for the environment, especially when you consider the second issue – the chemicals.

 

While electronics are mostly metal and plastic, they also contain small amounts of a ton of different chemicals, and many of these chemicals can be damaging to the environment. Circuit boards, for example, contain lead, and the lithium in modern computer batteries is also harmful to the environment. If you have a bunch of electronics just sitting in the dump, those chemicals will slowly leach into the ground below, damaging the soil and disrupting the local ecosystem.

 

Even worse is when electronics are allowed to decompose anywhere near an area’s groundwater. If chemicals like lead, mercury, or cadmium make it into groundwater, they can end up in the nearby lakes, streams, or even a reservoir. Not only does that damage the food chain for the local animals, but it can also affect the people living nearby, causing damage to the reproductive and immune systems, or even cancer.

 

When electronics aren’t being recycled, they’re usually just burned in incinerators. This avoids the problems involved with chemicals being released into the ground, but it comes with some new ones. As you might imagine, burning materials like metal and plastic release some pretty awful toxins into the air, which creates both short-term and long-term problems. The fumes from burning plastic and metal can cause damage to nearby people and animals, and they contribute to climate change through the greenhouse effect.

 

In coastal areas like California, trash is sometimes dumped into the ocean instead of a landfill, which obviously has a harmful effect on marine ecosystems. Non-biodegradable materials like plastic are the worst offenders since they can be floating for years or decades while gradually releasing toxins into the ocean below.

 

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Recovering Rare Earth Minerals

 

The computer processors, magnets, and screens used in electronics contain rare minerals like lanthanum, neodymium, and terbium. While only small amounts of these minerals are required to build computer parts, they’re absolutely vital, and there’s only a limited supply found on Earth. With most of these ore deposits found in China, finding ways to recycle and reuse the minerals in discarded electronics is an increasingly popular field of research. Although the methods used to extract and recycle rare earth minerals are still fairly new, they’re extremely promising and are vital to making sure that we don’t run out of rare earth ores in the future. If the demand for rare earth minerals were to continue rising at its current pace, and recycling programs were not put into place, it’s estimated that the world could run out sometime in the middle of the 21st century.

 

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Let Junk King Contra Costa Help You With Your E-Waste

 

junk king truck

 

At Junk King, we don’t think good business and environmental responsibility have to be at odds. That’s why we take everything we haul away to our nearest sorting center, to make sure that everything that can be recycled will be. Protecting the environment is up to each of us, and we’re proud to know that we’re doing our part. If you hire Junk King Contra Costa for your e-waste or other junk hauling needs, you can know you’re doing your part too.

 

Not sure where to start? At Junk King, we think transparency is important, which is why we offer free pricing estimates for every job we do. There are a few different ways you can get an estimate for your job. The most accurate way is to give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK and set up an appointment. We’ll send someone out to take a look at the waste you need to be hauled away, and give you an accurate assessment right on the spot. Otherwise, you can text a picture to 1-737-888-5865, or give our free online pricing estimation tool a try. Either way, there are no strings attached, so feel free to shop around a little. We’re confident that our prices will beat anyone else in the Bay Area, and so will our customer service. That’s why we’re rated #1 nationwide for customer service in our industry. Whether it’s e-waste, construction debris, or furniture from spring cleaning, Junk King has the experience you need.

 

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Everything You Need to Know About Appliance Removal in Contra Costa

appliance removal

 

As a homeowner or a renter, there are few things more satisfying than upgrading an appliance. Picking up a new fridge, dishwasher, or washer-dryer can make your daily routine so much easier and more enjoyable. However, then comes the question of what to do with the old appliance. Unfortunately, you can’t just chuck a microwave or air conditioning unit in the trash, which means doing a little research and making sure you’re disposing of everything properly.

 

Let Us Do the Work For You

If you’d prefer to skip all the trouble and just bring in the experts, Junk King Contra Costa just so happens to specialize in removing appliances of pretty much every shape and size. Just point to what you need to be removed and we’ll take it to our truck and haul it away, easy as pie. Our professionals are experts at hauling even the biggest appliances away from the most difficult places, whether that’s the attic of a three-story home or the tight hallways of an apartment building.

 

With Junk King, you always have the peace of mind from knowing your appliance is going to be handled properly once we haul it away. The first place we take any appliance is to our sorting center, where we take a look and decide what should be done with it. If it still works, we’ll donate it to a local charity, otherwise, the parts are safely recycled to be used in other products.

 

Of course, if you’d rather handle the removal process yourself, here are a few tips you should keep in mind.

 

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Be Careful With Appliance Refrigerants!

 

refrigerator disposal contra costa

 

Some appliances, like fridges, freezers, and air conditioning units, contain pockets of gasses called refrigerants, usually Freon gas. Freon can be damaging to the ozone layer if released, so there are plenty of regulations in place to make sure appliances containing Freon are handled properly. If you mishandle, damage, or even tip over an old fridge, you can accidentally release the Freon gas into the atmosphere, which can have devastating results for the environment. Improper disposal of appliances containing Freon can also land you a hefty fine from the state, so make sure you’ve done your research before dumping the old A/C unit somewhere.

 

In the state of California, regulations state that refrigerants like Freon can only be removed by a licensed professional, which means you can only dispose of your fridge or A/C unit at an authorized disposal center. Attempting to remove the Freon yourself can not only be dangerous but can land you in hot water with the authorities, as well as cause damage to the environment. Even a single molecule of gas like Freon can destroy over 100,000 molecules of ozone in the atmosphere,  so it’s important to be responsible. When it comes to refrigerants, leave the disposal work to the professionals, whether that’s an appliance recycler at a disposal station or a professional appliance removal service like Junk King.

 

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What About Electronics?

 

E-Waste

 

Today’s smart appliances can be incredibly convenient, but the embedded microchips and computer processors can make disposal a bit more of a hassle. Smart fridges, dishwashers, and other appliances with computer components are technically considered electronic waste, or “e-waste,” and so they come with their own set of rules for disposal.

 

E-waste can’t be put in a landfill in the state of California, so appliances with computer parts have to be handled carefully. This is because most electronics contain chemicals that can be hazardous to you or the people around you if not disposed of properly. Currently, while e-waste makes up only 2% of the trash generated in the US every year, it accounts for about 70% of the toxic waste in landfills across the country.

 

Electronic waste is also full of rare and valuable materials that can be recycled and used again in other products. Circuit boards, microchips, and other computer components are made with copper, silver, gold, and even rarer minerals like palladium. Many of these minerals are increasingly difficult to find, making e-waste recycling more important than ever.

 

At Junk King, e-waste is one of our specialties, and we make sure that every ounce of rare earth minerals is being extracted and recycled from the appliances and electronics we take in. According to the EPA, only about 12% of electronic waste is currently being properly recycled in the United States, with the rest ending up in landfills. We think it’s important for all of us to do our part to get that number closer to 100%.

 

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Make Sure to Stay Safe!

It might seem a little histrionic, but lifting heavy appliances can really do a number on your body, especially if you’re not sure how to do it the right way. At Junk King, our hauling professionals are trained in the best techniques for lifting and carrying heavy objects, but the average person might not know how to move their appliances in the safest possible way.

 

First things first, make sure to stretch! It might sound like overkill, but a quick stretch before any strenuous activity is a must. Stretching keeps your muscles flexible and lengthy, giving you a full range of motion and strength. If you perform any physical activity without stretching, your muscles can be tight or pulled short, which means you won’t have as much strength when you try to lift that fridge, so take a couple of minutes to stretch it out first!

 

You’ve probably heard this tip before, but lifting with your legs is probably the single most important thing you can do to avoid hurting yourself while moving appliances or other heavy objects. Bending over to lift something instead of crouching and using your legs puts a huge amount of stress on the vertebrae of your back, and can contribute to back problems later in life. It also forces you to use only your arms to lift, instead of utilizing the full strength of your core and legs to help. Any time you pick something up off the ground, keep your back straight and crouch instead of bending over – your body will thank you!

 

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E-waste Removal in Contra Costa

Junk King Contra Costa

 

Taking out the trash has certainly become a bit more complicated in recent years. A couple decades ago, most households most likely simply threw all of their e-waste into the same trash can before eventually hauling that trash out to the curb every week. Today, however, most waste management companies have strict rules and regulations about what types of waste can be taken away. If your local city or town has a recycling operation, you might even have to separate your waste, with organic waste being picked up one day, recyclable plastics, glass, and metals being picked up a different day, and all other trash being picked up on a third day.

 

To make matters even more complicated, most municipal waste management companies have specific regulations for properly disposing of e-waste (electronic waste) products. In almost every instance, simply throwing away your used computer, cell phone, or other electronic appliances and devices with the regular trash is strictly prohibited. Below, we briefly explain what e-waste is, and how individuals, homeowners, and business owners can responsibly and efficiently get rid of their e-waste in the Contra Costa County.

 

e-waste recycling

 

What is Electronic Waste and Why does it Pose a Potential Threat? 

E-Waste

According to Cal Recycle, e-waste is defined as “a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their useful life. Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products.” Today, there are an enormous amount of electronic products that we use daily. From the electric kettle that brews our morning coffee, to the computers, cell phones, and other “screens” that we use during our work day, to the TVs, DVDs, and stereos that help us relax and wind down once we return home, sources of e-waste can be found in every room of the home.

 

Unfortunately, many of the electronics and appliances we use daily have notably short lifespans. For example, the average cell phone is only used for 2.5 years before eventually being replaced. Larger appliances such as refrigerators might last for 10-12 years before also needing to be replaced while the average life expectancy of an LCD TV is between 30,000 – 60,000 hours, or 5-7 years.

 

When these electronic devices do eventually break down, the long list of chemicals and heavy metals that go into their manufacture pose a particular threat to both people and the surrounding environment. Many types of appliances and electronics contain toxic elements such as mercury, lead, beryllium, brominated flame retardants, and cadmium. When these electronics sent to the landfill these chemicals tend to end up in our soil, water, and air. E-waste contamination has been linked to numerous health hazards, including:

 

  • -Reproductive issues.
  • -Developmental problems.
  • -Damage to the immune system.
  • -Interference with regulatory hormones.
  • -Damage to the nervous system.
  • -Kidney damage.
  • -Hamper’s brain development in children.
  • -May lead to lung cancer.

 

television disposal guide

 

California Laws on E-Waste Removal 

 

As is often the case, the State of California was at the forefront of regulating e-waste disposal to minimize both human health and environmental effects. With the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, incentives have been put in place to foster cost-free recycling opportunities for consumers throughout the state. These efforts have helped to reduce illegal dumping of e-waste content and to eliminate the stockpile of waste computer monitors, TVs, and other common sources of e-waste.

 

The law has also helped consumers across California find ways to deal with their e-waste. This helpful site allows individuals, homeowners, and business owners to search for the nearest recycling or donation centers near you, including organizations and businesses that specifically deal with e-waste.

 

E-waste Removal with Junk King of Contra Costa 

 

If you don’t have the time or means to physically transport your e-waste to the nearest recycling or collection facility, Junk King of Contra Costa offers a reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible way to get rid of your e-waste items. Junk King of Contra Costa offers an efficient (and legal) way to get rid of almost all of your e-waste items, including TVs, DVDs, refrigerators, freezers, computers, cell phones, and more.

 

Our junk removal team has developed a huge network of relationships with local recycling organizations, non-profits, donation centers, and scrap metal purchasers to ensure that all of your e-waste is kept out of local landfills. If you have a perfectly functional TV that you want to donate, we´ll make sure that it gets into the right hands so that somebody else can continue to use it. On the hand, if your old cell phone or computer is broken beyond repair, we will ensure that it is taken to a place where it will be properly recycled.

 

As a whole, Junk King is proud to say that we can recycle, donate, or refurbish at least 60 percent of the junk items that we pick up, making us the greenest junk removal company in the nation. With e-waste items, however, we make sure that all of these potentially toxic junk items stay out of landfills.

 

Another reason to choose Junk King of Contra Costa is because our customer service is second to none. We understand that our clients come to Junk King to get help solving problems they can’t easily solve themselves. For this reason, we make every effort to ensure that getting rid of e-waste is as easy and hassle-free as possible. For larger and heavier e-waste items such as air conditioners, furnaces, washers, dryers, and refrigerators, our team of professional junk removal technicians will do all the heavy lifting and hauling, thus helping you avoid a sore back and dented walls.

 

By working with Junk King of Contra Costa, you can rest assured that we will do everything possible to help you get rid of your junk quickly, efficiently, and respectfully. Besides going the extra mile to recycle or reuse a large portion of what we pick up, we also are proud to say that we have the lowest pricing in the market we serve.

 

Junk King Contra Costa offers professional, efficient, and environmentally friendly e-waste removal services for residents of the Contra Costa region, including residents of Alameda, Alamo, Albany, Antioch, Berkeley, Brentwood, Byron, Clayton, Concord, Crockett, Danville, Livermore, Oakland, Pleasanton, Richmond, San Leandro, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek.

 

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How to Hire Junk King Contra Costa 

 

If you live in the Contra Costa region and need to get rid of your e-waste items, simply give us a call at (925) 289-8511 or 1-888-888-5865 (JUNK). You can also book us online by filling out the form found here. Also, you can text us an image of the junk that you need hauled away at 1-737-888-5865 and we will text you back a price estimate.

 

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 Once you have agreed to the price we send back to you, you simply have to pick a date and a two-hour window. In many cases, we might even be able to offer same day service. Our junk removal professionals will call you 15 minutes before arrival, and all you have to do is show us where the junk is. Call us today to get rid of your e-waste efficiently and sustainably!

 

 

Contra Costa Junk Recycling

One way to insure that families keep up with recycling is to involve the kids. That’s why the Mt. Diablo Recycling company recently launched a contest for Contra Costa elementary, middle and high school students.

“We were talking about how we can inspire kids to teach more so we came up with the recycling contest,” said Nicole Impagliazzo, Mt. Diablo Recycling Center’s Community Outreach and Public Relations manager. “We truly believe that if we educate the kids, we can change the community and change the world.”

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The contest involves answering a simple question: “What do you do to inspire your family, your friends and your community to recycle?” The response can be in the form of a written or video essay. Although getting the message out about recycling is a positive element of this contest, there are also prizes. A first, second and third prize will be awarded in each age category: Grades K-5, $300, $150 and $50; Grades 6-8, $300, $150 and $50; and Grades 9-12, $500, $350 and $250.

For any recycling program to work, the entire community has to be involved. Not only does that included homeowners but businesses as well. Hotels, restaurants and offices can all do their part by recycling plastics, paper, aluminum, cardboard and food scraps. But it doesn’t have to stop there. Recycling also applies to bigger items that won’t squeeze into the recycling bin. For that kind of junk recycling, you can depend on Junk King.

Junk King Contra Costa is part of a national chain of junk removal professionals who are all dedicated to keeping what they collect out of landfills. So far, the Junk King franchises have racked up some significant numbers with that goal. They’ve kept 60% off everything they have collected out of a dump. Not many businesses can make a claim like that. Junk King accomplishes that goal by partnering up with local facilities like Mt. Diablo Recycling. They are part of their weekly drop off schedules.

If you’re not sure what items you have for junk recycling, don’t worry. The Junk King crew assigned to your removal project will know what to look for. Often they will collect a piece of furniture that can be put back into use by a charity. That certainly counts as recycling! When you hire Junk King, you’re not only reducing your personal carbon footprint, but you’re getting a junk free home in return. What can be better than that?

Junk King Contra Costa
5933 Northfront Rd. Suite C
Livermore, CA 94551
Hours: M-F: 8A-4P, Sa: 9A-4P, Su: 9A-4P

Providing junk removal services to the Contra Costa area, including:

Alamo
Antioch
Brentwood
Byron
Canyon
Clayton
Concord
Crockett
Danville
Diablo
Discovery Bay
Dublin
Fremont
Livermore
Moraga
Pleasanton
San Ramon
Walnut Creek
and these nearby zip codes:
94505, 94506, 94507, 94509, 94513, 94514, 94516, 94517, 94518, 94519, 94520, 94521, 94522, 94524, 94525, 94526, 94527, 94528, 94529, 94531, 94537, 94550, 94551, 94556, 94566, 94568, 94570, 94575, 94582, 94583, 94588, 94595, 94596, 94597, 94598