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It’s been said that Benjamin Franklin once stated that, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes. And, while we can certainly agree with that, it is also apparent to most of us that we can “junk” to that short list.
It seems that living life and working somehow brings with it an accumulation of unwanted junk. And for many of us, we experience the phenomenon of more junk piling up the longer we live in one place. The truth is that this has been a reality of life since probably the beginnings of time.
In other words, we will likely always find ourselves with “stuff” we no longer want or need, or that is not longer working or useable.
So, what do we do with all that junk?
Trash Pits, Junkyards, and Landfills: The Historic End of Junk
Until fairly recently, mankind has typically disposed of its trash, debris, rubbish, and junk in holes in the ground, small ponds on occasion, and even in the oceans if they happened to be nearby. Burning trash and debris was common, as well.
But beginning in the late 1800s, more and more municipalities and settlements of various kinds began to organize waste management practices with an eye towards sanitation and general tidiness.
According to Wikipedia, the modern landfill and waste management practices were first introduced early in the 20th century but gained wide use in the 1960s and 1970s. And earth911.com tells us that, by the mid-1970s, states were required to establish waste management regulations. They point out, too, that the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) created the framework for the proper management of all types of solid waste and even established the design, operation, and closure requirements for sanitary landfills.
All of which means that, today, instead of random trash pits and junk being tossed anyplace that seems convenient, mankind has advanced quite a bit when it comes to junk disposal practices.
However, landfills, while better than burn pits, have their own host of issues.
Take the state of Oregon, for example. As of early 2023, the Department of Environmental Quality lists over 10 regional landfills operating in the state. And this in addition to more than 15 privately owned landfills on industrial sites. With over four million residents and close to 1.6 million households, having just ten landfills can become a problem.
But that’s just a capacity concern. Landfills present a number of issues that many people feel makes them less than desirable solutions for waste disposal.
Perhaps the most pressing environmental concern with landfills is methane gas. As the organic mass in landfills decompose methane gas is released. In addition to methane, landfills also produce carbon dioxide and water vapor, and trace amounts of oxygen, nitrogen.
And it’s not just the atmosphere that is affected.
The largest percentage of all soil pollution in the US comes from the landfills. They are one of the biggest sources of soil pollution. And what makes all this more problematic is that a large portion of the materials buried in landfills, up to 80 percent, could have been recycled.
When It Comes to Junk Removal and Disposal Options, Green Is Best
Household junk can come in all types, shapes, and sizes.
We can find ourselves with junk furniture, broken-down appliances, used mattresses, old TVs that no one wants or that no longer work, and even junk from our yards. Sometimes it’s simply excessive amounts of trash and garbage that we can’t fit into our residential rubbish bins.
The problem that many people face is how and where to get rid of their junk.
If the local waste management service can’t or won’t take it – which is quite often the case – then we have to figure out how to haul it away ourselves. This typically means that we need a truck or a small trailer. And not everyone owns one of those.
And even if we do have a truck or can rent or borrow one, then here’s the challenge of where to dispose of our junk!
As we’ve noted here, landfills in Oregon and few and far between. And in the Portland area – with more than 670,000 residents – there are about three landfills close enough to be useful. So, along with sitting in long lines and having to pay steep dump fees, disposing of your own junk also means doing all the moving, loading, hauling, and unloading yourself.
Plus, dumping recyclable junk items and materials into a landfill is far from being a green option.
So, what are some green junk disposal options?
Unwanted Junk: Sell It, Donate It, or Give It Away
The truth is that much of what we consider “junk” is often reusable or can be refurbished instead of dumped in the trash.
One profitable alternative to dumping is selling. With the vast and growing number of online selling and buying sites, it is easier than ever to offload your usable but unwanted items for a small profit. And in many neighborhoods, the venerable yard sale is still a popular activity and can be a great venue for selling much of your “gently used” items.
However, some folks don’t have the time nor the desire to organize a yard sale nor even post items for sale online. Fair enough! But donating these unwanted items is another great way to not only divert them from landfills but give them a new home. While this still takes some effort on your part, you can have the gratification of knowing you’re helping out while gaining some tax write-offs in the process.
Of course, the simplest way to provide a second life for your unwanted belongings and “junk” items is to give them away. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and others can be found who are willing to take your things off your hands. And the best part is that you bypass the very real possibility of your things ending up in a local landfill.
For ‘Green’ Junk Removal Just Call on the Red and Gold
Although at Junk King our corporate colors are red and gold, we really like to think of ourselves as mostly green!
And, by green, we mean environmentally friendly.
Junk King has always pursued a genuine dedication to both exceptional customer service and environmental stewardship. We are committed to recycling and to taking care of people. What this means for us when it comes to junk removal and disposal is recycling, repurposing, and donating wherever possible.
You could say that “being green” is in our corporate DNA.
Our parent company pioneered the practice of recycling-based junk removal back in 2005 and has been going greener ever since. For Junk King here in the metro Portland area, we demonstrate this by routinely sorting every load in our recycling warehouses. We do this to separate all the recyclable metals, e-waste, household goods, textiles, furniture, and appliances.
But “being green” for us means much more than just recycling junk. It also means donating, repurposing, and reusing everything from used mattresses to old clothing, from gently love toys to baby furniture and strollers, and from used office furniture to exercise equipment.
All of which means that, for you, the easiest and most cost-effective option for green junk removal is to simply call Junk King East Portland!
Junk King East Portland: Your No.1 Choice for Green Junk Removal and Recycling
One benefit of having a professional firm like Junk King remove your residential or commercial junk is that we make it easy on you. Typically, we can often arrange to have it taken away the same day you call.
Junk King moves fast with our appointments. In fact, most pickups are completed within 24 hours of being scheduled. And we can often complete a same-day pickup, as sell.
The charge for Junk King’s expert junk removal service is based on volume rather than weight. That means none of your bulk items will “go on the scale.” And that means huge savings for you, especially when have heavy junk items such as old furniture or a washer and dryer. We always provide our customers with a free estimate before the work begins, and it will always be a fair and transparent price.
In addition, our prices are guaranteed. In fact, Junk King will match any competitor’s price for the same amount of removal.
Junk King East Portland is proud to be a part of North America’s greenest residential junk removal service. The team here at Junk King East Portland is committed to doing all we can to help keep our city and our planet clean, green, and beautiful for the generations to come.
Our team specializes in residential and commercial trash and junk removal, and we can usually be at your home or place of work the same day, so give us a call! Our expert and professional crews are fully insured and well-trained, and you can trust them to get rid of your unwanted items in an efficient and courteous fashion.
So, ready to get rid of your unwanted junk in a green way? We make it easy as 1,2,3!
If you have questions about what we can do for you, just give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK (5865).
