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Category Archives: junk pickup san francisco

How to dispose of old TVs in San Francisco

 

 

Red Junk King Truck parked in front home

updated 8/21/22

 

It seems like every year electronics companies come up with new features for the TVs that bring entertainment into our homes. First, it was flat-screen TVs, then plasma screens, then smart TVs, and now ultra-high-definition 4k resolution. This continued evolution of TV technology is part of the reason why around 25 million televisions become obsolete every year. Whether you still have an old “box-style” Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) television, or simply enjoy trying out the newest technologies that hit the TV market, knowing how to properly dispose of your old TV is an increasingly important consideration. Below, we explain why TVs (and most other electronics) cannot simply be thrown into the dumpster with the rest of your household waste. We then look at the environmental importance of TV recycling and recommend the best TV recycling options for residents of San Francisco.

 

Why You Should Get Rid of Your Old TV

 

Televisions used to be significantly more expensive, but today even the biggest screens are well within reach for the average American. This is mostly a good thing, but it does mean they’re not built to last the way they used to be. Gone are the days of the TV repair man, as the cost of buying a new television is frequently lower than the cost of having the old one fixed. Once your TV stops working, it’s essentially dead, which means you’ll have to figure out how to dispose of it properly.

 

Televisions are filled with all kinds of chemicals that can be hazardous if released into the air. For that reason, they need to be disposed of with care by professionals. That goes for today’s flat-screen TVs as well as the older CRT televisions we used before. If left in the landfill, the chemicals inside a television could leak into the soil and contaminate the ground around the dump. This is especially dangerous if there’s a river or other water source nearby that could become contaminated. For this reason, California levies some pretty hefty fines for illegally dumping a TV, up to $3,000 for repeat offenders.

 

TVs are also full of materials that can be repurposed if recycled properly. The glass and fluorescent tubing inside the screen can be recycled, as can the plastic in the outside covering. The inner workings can also be stripped of valuable metals like copper, and functional circuit boards can be entirely reused. In a best-case scenario, over 90% of a television can be recycled and used to manufacture something else.

 

Disposing of Old TVs in San Francisco

 

As TVs get bigger and bigger, most of us find ourselves upgrading to a new model every few years. Our lockdown-driven binge watches over the last few years have shown us the value of having a big TV with all the newest technology so we can recreate the theater experience at home. However, buying a new TV also means you have to get rid of the old one, and that can be trickier than you might expect. You can’t just leave electronics like televisions in the dumpster behind your apartment building, there’s a whole recycling process.

 

Why Can´t I Simply Throw my old TV into the Garbage? 

 

TVs Recycling

 

Over two-thirds of American households report having unwanted televisions stored in their attics, basements, or guest bedrooms. By now, most homeowners understand that placing an old TV on the curb with the rest of your trash might leave you with a sizeable fine. In the state of California, you can expect a fine of at least $1,000 for illegal dumping, and many City governments around the Bay area have much stricter ordinances with higher fines for illegal dumping.

 

So why exactly won´t your garbage truck pick up your old CRT TV and take it to the dump with the rest of the trash? Both older and newer styles of TVs contain several different types of harmful chemicals that could potentially contaminate landfill sites. A study by Oregon State University found that “older cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs contain between four to eight pounds of lead, plus cadmium, mercury, toxic solvents, and chemicals. When old sets and outdated computers are sent to the landfill, they are crushed, creating the potential to release heavy metals and other toxic chemicals into the environment.”

 

The lead content in CRT TVs is especially dangerous to human health as it could potentially leach into groundwater and surface water sources. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if lead does contaminate drinking water, it can cause harmful cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension, decreased kidney function, and long-term reproductive problems in both men and women.

 

The problem doesn’t just lie with older, box-style TV sets, however. Newer flat-screen TVs also contain large amounts of chemicals such as hormone disrupters, polyvinyl chloride, brominated flame retardants, neurotoxic mercury, and others. These are not chemicals that you want floating around your landfills and potentially leaching into the local ecosystem.

 

e-waste recycling

 

How to Responsibly Get Rid of Your Used TVs in the San Francisco Area?

 

So if you can´t throw your used TV into the regular trash, and you don’t want to continue storing it in your attic, how exactly can you responsible get rid of your older TV? If it is still functional, you might consider donating it to a thrift store or a local non-profit that might be able to pass it on to underprivileged families who don’t have a TV.

 

For newer models of TVs, the electronics store you purchased it from might also have a program where you can take your TVs (and other used electronics) for free recycling. For example, Best Buy now offers free e-waste recycling where you can take your used TVs, computers, tablets, cell phones, appliances, audio equipment, and other electronics for free drop-off. Nationwide, Best Buy stores have collected over 2 billion pounds of e-waste and appliances, thus keeping an enormous amount of potentially toxic materials out of local landfills.

 

Homeowners, individuals, and business owners in the San Francisco area can also responsibly get rid of their used TVs via the regular trash service offered by Recology. According to Recology´s website, “to dispose of electronic or universal waste through the curbside pickup, schedule a Recology Bulky Item Recycling pickup for free if you are a resident of San Francisco. Residents receive 1-2 free pickups per year. Many Goodwill stores also accept working and non-working electronics.”

 

television disposal guide


If you have already gone over your one free pickup per year, you can also drop off your used TVs and other electronic waste at the SF Transfer Station. At this drop-off location, both individuals and businesses can dispose of up to 30 electronic items per month for free if they are delivered without any other type of material. For more than 30 items, you will be $1.50 per piece, and if the electronics are mixed with trash, the regular Recology tipping fee applies.

 

If you need a fast and efficient way to get rid of your old TV, hiring a professional junk removal service is often the easiest way to get rid of all different types of e-waste. For residents of San Francisco, California, Junk King of San Francisco has been offering superior junk removal service since 2005. The company has hands-down the best customer service in the region and is proud to have a 5-star rating on Yelp, with over 50 reviews.

 

Unlike other junk removal companies in the region, Junk King San Francisco maintains a solid relationship with the dozens of state-certified appliance recyclers in the region. We also make every effort to donate used TVs and other electronics that are still in usable condition so that your used TVs and other e-waste items do not end up in the landfill.

 

We find it unfortunate that only 33 percent of computer monitors and 17 percent of TVs continue to be recycled nationwide. As the nation´s number-one-rated junk removal company, we are committed to helping communities keep the hazardous materials found in used electronics out of our landfills and local environment. The lead, cadmium, chromium, and other aging circuitry materials in old TVs and other electronics account for 70 percent of landfills’ hazardous material. By simply recycling these used devices, we can avoid an enormous amount of toxic chemicals from accumulating in our landfills.

 

How to Get Rid of an Old TV in San Francisco – The 5 Best Methods

 

You have a few different options when it comes to disposing of your old television. This will obviously depend on the condition of the TV – you have a lot more choices if it’s still functional. Here are five of the top methods you can use to get rid of your old TV:

 

  • Donate Old TVs – If your old TV is still functioning, you should consider donating it. There are plenty of charitable organizations out there that accept TVs, either to sell or to give to someone who might need it. As an added bonus, donating it will give you a small deduction on your taxes, which is always nice.
  • Check With the Manufacturer – Sometimes the manufacturer of the TV will be willing to handle the recycling for you if you send back the old one. They’ll take the unit apart and repurpose the parts to make a new television. Not all companies offer this service, so you’ll have to check online or give them a call to make sure they do. Some manufacturers even give you a credit towards a new TV if you send in the old one, reducing the cost of replacing the broken TV.
  • Sell It – If the TV still works and you’re looking to make a little extra cash, you can always sell it. It can be difficult to pack up and ship a television, so you’re probably better off looking for a local buyer on Craigslist or Facebook. You might not be able to make a ton of money by selling an old TV, but you can at least put a dent in the cost of the new one with an extra $50 or so.
  • Find an E-Waste Recycling Center – If your TV is broken or otherwise nonfunctional, you’ll have to find a way to recycle it. Often, the easiest way to do this is to take it to a recycling center that accepts electronic waste. In San Francisco, the SF Transfer Station takes in all electronic waste, including televisions, so you’ll have to go there to get rid of your old TV.
  • Hire a Junk Removal Company – If you’d rather avoid the whole disposal process, most junk removal companies – Junk King included – will take electronic waste like TVs and make sure they’re properly recycled. You’ll have to pay to hire the service, so this option is best considered when you have more to get rid of or you’re doing spring cleaning.

 

How to Hire Junk King of San Francisco? 

 

Whether you are a business that needs to get rid of dozens of old TVs as you update to newer technology or simply have an old CRT TV that is taking up needed space in your basement, Junk King of San Francisco can help you efficiently and responsibly dispose of your used TV.

 

Free Junk Removal Price Estimator

 

Simply call us at 1-888-5865(JUNK) for a free, transparent price estimate for your junk pickup. Once you agree on a price and select date, all of Junk King´s employees are trained to call you 15 to 30 minutes before every job. We make every effort to honor the 2-hour window that you choose for pickup, and we offer the most competitive, up-front, and transparent pricing to help you get rid of your used TVs and other bulky junk items affordably and efficiently. Hire Junk King San Francisco today by calling 1-888-5865(JUNK) or consider booking online at this link.

 

 

Junk Removal San Francisco : Wise Considerations Before Hiring

Chances are that at some time during your life, you will probably find that your home or business has obtrusively become filled with numerous junk items. In fact, one recent survey determined that more than one-fourth of Americans CURRENTLY think their home is at least somewhat cluttered. The October 2014 survey found that 6 percent of American adults said their house or apartment is “very” cluttered, and 21 percent classified their space as “somewhat” cluttered. Similarly, another study found that 75 percent of struggling small business owners believed that being disorganized was the direct cause of some of their productivity losses. 

Keeping our homes and businesses organized, structured, and de-cluttered isn’t just a Feng Shui trend. Rather, organized and de-cluttered spaces are extremely important for our mental health, higher productivity levels, and higher levels of comfort. Unfortunately, in our consumer-driven society, it is becoming almost “second nature” to accumulate items that take up an enormous amount of valuable space in the places we occupy. This is part of the reason why the self-storage industry has grown to an incredible size, posting almost $40 billion in annual revenue. 

One of the biggest problems that individuals, homeowners, and businesses face when trying to de-clutter their homes or businesses is finding a way to physically get rid of the excess junk they have laying around. Trying to haul a 300 pound couch located on the second floor of your home is probably not going to be easy. Furthermore, if you don’t have a huge trailer and a powerful 4×4 pickup truck to haul it, taking your excess junk to a local recycling or donation center is probably not going to be feasible in your Toyota Prius. 

That´s why professional junk removal companies exist: to help individuals and businesses efficiently get rid of the excess junk that is cluttering their spaces. The majority of junk removal San Francisco companies can help you get rid of a variety of junk and waste items. However, there are serious differences and disparities in how these companies operate, and the values that define their business ethic. In this short article, we take an in-depth look at five questions that every San Francisco individual, homeowner, and business owner needs to ask before hiring a professional junk removal service. 

Red Junk King Truck parked in front home

What is the Company Going to Do with Your Junk? 

The first thing that you need to consider when hiring a professional junk removal service is what they company is eventually going to do with the trash and waste that they haul away. Our nation´s landfills are quickly filling up, and improper municipal solid waste management is a leading cause of several environmental problems including: 

  • The leaching of dangerous toxic chemicals into watersheds and ground water sources; 
  • Greenhouse gas emissions through landfill gas, which is mostly comprised of methane; 
  • Air pollution and contamination affecting local communities. 

Unfortunately, many junk removal companies only make token efforts to responsibly dispose of the junk items that they pick up. Junk King of San Francisco, however, is proud to say that at least 60 percent of the junk items that we pick up are either recycled, composted, repurposed, or donated. We have a huge network of relationships with local recycling centers, non-profit organizations, and other businesses that work to ensure that your junk stays out of local landfills and contributes to the goal of San Francisco becoming America´s first “Zero Waste” city. We are able to help you get rid of regular trash, construction debris, household junk, yard waste, small and medium sized appliances, e-waste, furniture and virtually anything that is not classified as toxic waste in an environmentally friendly manner. 

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Is This Going to Take a Long Time? 

When you are planning to hire a junk removal service, the last thing you want is for the company to give you a pickup date that is several days (or even weeks) away. Getting rid of your excess junk should be an efficient and easy process that allows you to reclaim your space and enjoy the benefits of a clutter-free space. Junk King of San Francisco offers unparalleled customer service. You can contact us by phone, by text message, or online to quickly get an idea of how much our service is going to cost. Once you have agreed to our pricing, you simply have to pick a date and a two-hour window for pickup. In most cases, our junk removal professionals will be able to pick up and haul away your junk on the same day you call us! Furthermore, we will give you a call 15 to 30 minutes before arriving so that you know exactly when we will be arriving. 

How Much Work Will I Have to Do? 

One of the reasons that so many people hire junk removal companies is because they don’t want to do all of the heavy lifting that comes with de-cluttering your space. Bulky junk items like beds, mattresses, couches, refrigerators, old hot tubs, and others can easily weigh several hundred pounds. Trying to haul those out to the curb can easily result in a slipped disk or a potentially dangerous fall. With Junk King of San Francisco, the only “lifting” you will have to do is to point to the items that you want removed. Our junk removal technicians will do all the heavy lifting for you. 

Furthermore, we also offer dumpster rental for individuals and businesses that need extra time to go through their stuff and decide what stays and what goes. With our dumpster rentals, we will help you install the dumpster in the most convenient spot on your property and come to pick it up whenever it’s filled and ready to be hauled away. 

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Is This Junk Removal Service Going to Cost Me and Arm and a Leg? 

When choosing the best junk removal service, you should definitely prioritize companies that offer fair and transparent pricing mechanisms. There is nothing worse than paying double what you had budgeted for junk removal because the pricing wasn’t upfront and honest. With Junk King of San Francisco, we offer free quotations over the phone or via text message. Simply send us a text with photos of the items you need removed, and we´ll send you a free quote. We even offer free, on-site quotes for larger jobs so that you know exactly what you´ll be spending if you do decide to hire us. 

Many junk removal companies base their charges on the size or volume of the truck that they send for the junk pickup. This means that they sometimes end up charging higher prices because they send a large truck for small jobs. Junk King of San Francisco was started back in 2005 out of a garage in San Carlos. Over 15 years later, our business now has eight trucks and serves thousands of customers across the entire city of San Francisco. We have the right size truck for all different types of jobs and are confident that we offer the most affordable pricing for junk removal services. 

bigger junk removal trucks

Does the Company Have a Good Reputation? 

Lastly, you also should look at the consumer reviews for the junk removal company that you are considering hiring. In the day and age of the Internet, independent customer reviews will often offer the truest glimpse into how a company operates. Besides offering the most competitive junk removal prices on the market, we are also proud to say that our customer service is second to none. We have a 5-star rating on Yelp, with well over 50 reviews and we can also guarantee to beat any written estimate.

How to Contact Junk King San Francisco

Whether you are completely renovating your apartment or simply have some yard waste you need to get rid of, Junk King of San Francisco offers the most reliable, efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly junk removal service in San Francisco. We are the pioneers of recycling based junk removal right here in the Bay Area, and can help you reduce your environmental footprint by ensuring that your junk gets every opportunity to be recycled, upcycled, or donated. Give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK, or book online today!

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A Quest to Become a Zero Waste City: Junk Pick Up San Francisco

Several years ago, the ex-mayor of San Francisco, Edwin Lee proclaimed that San Francisco had achieved an impressive 80 percent diversion rate of waste heading to landfills. According to the press release, “Recycling and composting is not only good for our environment, it is also good for our economy,” said Mayor Lee. ”Recycling alone creates 10 times more jobs than simply sending refuse to the landfill, and I applaud Recology, the Department of Environment and San Franciscans for reaching this record milestone of 80 percent diversion.”

The city of San Francisco is widely regarded as the national leader in the campaign to achieve a zero waste future. The process of achieving an 80 percent landfill diversion rate is testament to the public investment in recycling and compost programs. Furthermore, the city´s waste reduction programs that focus on reuse and repurposing waste is another strategy helping to keep trash out of area landfills. The collective efforts of the city government, local businesses, and every individual citizen in the city of San Francisco is why San Francisco was named the Greenest City in North America and receive a perfect score for resource recovery and recycling category in the 2011 Siemens Green City Index.

Despite these important advances and achievements, a closer look at the city´s waste management programs shows that individuals, homeowners, and business owners continue to generate large amounts of trash that do eventually end up in landfills. In this short article, we take an in-depth look at how the city achieved its 80 percent landfill diversion rate, and how the junk pickup services offered by Junk King of San Francisco can help the city advance even farther on its quest to become America´s first Zero Waste city. 

Pile of old Furniture and home debris

The Number Crunching Needed to Achieve an 80 Percent Landfill Diversion Rate 

Let´s start with the well-known figure related to the amount of trash that each and every individual in the United States produces on a daily basis. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average person in the United States produces around 4.4 pounds of trash per day. In the state of California, the average amount of trash produced per person is slightly higher at 4.7 pounds of trash each day (as per 2016 statistics). On a nationwide level, only about one-third of that trash ends up getting recycled, composted reused, or repurposed, meaning that each person is responsible for around 2.9 pounds of trash ending up in landfills or incinerators every day. 

One would think that the 80 percent landfill diversion rate for the city of San Francisco would mean that 80 percent of the trash we produce gets either composted or recycled. But´s let´s take a closer look at the numbers. 

Firstly, it is important to state that the city of San Francisco has a much higher “per capita waste-generation rate” with an average of 7.5 pounds of waste and recyclables being generated per person per day. That is almost 60 percent more trash per person than the national average. The higher standards of living in the Bay area unfortunately lead to higher levels of consuming, thus putting more stress on the city´s waste management systems.  

This might not be a serious problem if 80 percent of that trash did get recycled, reused, or repurposed, which would leave just 1.5 pounds of trash heading to local landfills or incinerators. Unfortunately, that isn’t what happens. San Francisco’s 80 percent diversion rate is actually the product of how the San Francisco Department of Environment counts and calculates the city´s recyclable material. The city certainly does have an impressive program to recycle everyday post-consumer products made from paper, metal, glass, and plastics; as well as an exemplary organic waste composting program. However, to achieve that impressive 80 percent figure, the city includes large quantities of very heavy construction materials such as excavated fill and rubble, which are subsequently reused as infill and road base. Furthermore, the city´s Department of Environment also counts the “recycling” of bio-solids which are applied to agricultural land as part of their diversion total. 

Free Construction Debris Removal Guide

Construction and debris (C&D) and bio-solid waste certainly accounts for a major amount of waste that unfortunately continues to accumulate in landfills across the country. C&D debris is actually more than double the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) on a national level. The fact that the City of San Francisco is making efforts to keep those elements out of landfills should certainly be applauded. However, it is important to understand that the 80 percent diversion rate does NOT mean that 80 percent of municipal solid waste (MSW) is either recycled, reused, or repurposed. 

The truth is that due to their higher waste-per-capita generation, San Franciscans send roughly the same quantities of trash to the dump as most other Americans. 

junk removal service recycling

What Can be Done to Reduce Your Individual Waste Footprint?

The statistics provided above should make it clear that individuals, homeowners, and business owners in San Francisco can do more to reduce their waste footprints. Besides dutifully separating your recyclables and organics every week when the Recology trucks come to pick up your weekly trash, making an effort to recycle, donate, or repurpose your bulky trash items should also be a high priority. 

Junk King of San Francisco offers efficient and affordable junk removal services for residents, homeowners, and business owners of San Francisco. While you could haul your old couch out to the curb and place a “free” sign in hopes that somebody might come and pick it up, chances are that you would be rewarded with a hefty fine before anyone actually removed the thing. San Francisco´s municipal trash service only offers one (and sometime two) free bulk item pickups to individuals every year, and charges businesses a small fee. 

If you don’t have a free pickup but are burdened with an enormous amount of junk you need to get rid of, Junk King of San Francisco can help you avoid the headache of self-hauling your old junk to the nearest collection facility. With a simple phone call or text, we can set up a time and date to come and help you get free up space in your home by getting rid of your used furniture items. 

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Who is Junk King of San Francisco?

Junk King of San Francisco was started back in 2005 out of a garage in San Carlos. Over 15 years later, our business now has eight trucks and serves thousands of customers across the entire city of San Francisco. We have developed close relationships with dozens of recycling centers, thrift stores, non-profit organizations, and other interested parties to make sure that all your used junk is given every opportunity to be donated or recycled, instead of landfilled. In fact, we are able to recycle, donate, or repurpose around 60 percent of the junk that we pick up. We are able to help you get rid of regular trash, construction debris, household junk, yard waste, small and medium sized appliances, e-waste, furniture and virtually anything that is not classified as toxic waste in an environmentally friendly manner. 

To hire Junk King of San Francisco, simply call us for a free quotation or send us a text with photos of the items you need removed. We´ll send you a free quote, and once we have agreed upon a price and a two-hour window for pickup, our professional furniture removal staff will send you a text 15-30 minutes before arrival to let you know we´re on our way. We´ll do all the heavy hauling, so you simply have to let us know which pieces of furniture you want to get rid of and we´ll do the rest! 

Besides offering the most competitive furniture removal prices on the market, we are also proud to say that our customer service is second to none. We have a 5-star rating on Yelp, with well over 50 reviews and we can also guarantee to beat any written estimate.

How to Contact Junk King San Francisco

Whether you are completely renovating your apartment or simply have some yard waste you need to get rid of, Junk King of San Francisco offers the most reliable, efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly junk removal service in San Francisco. We are the pioneers of recycling based junk pick up right here in the Bay Area, and can help you reduce your environmental footprint by ensuring that your junk gets every opportunity to be recycled, upcycled, or donated. Give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK, or book online today!

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Prepare For the Summer with a Dumpster Rental 

 

While most of us have probably heard about “spring cleaning,” we also probably know that the months of summer are a great opportunity to continue decluttering inside and around our home. Whether you are planning a major home renovation, or simply want to reclaim the space that has been taken over by too much stuff, renting a dumpster during the summer is a great way to effectively and hygienically get rid of your junk. Below, we take an in-depth look at the benefits and advantages that come with renting a dumpster for a summer de-cluttering, and then offer some advice on how to find the best dumpster rental company for your needs.  

summer cleaning guide

Benefits and Advantages of Renting a Dumpster for the Summer  

Summer is easily the best time of the year for any type of home renovation. Whether you are doing a DIY home project, or hiring a professional contractor, the warm temperatures and relatively limited rainfall are conducive to making improvements on your home or business. Renting a dumpster for your home renovation project is not only helpful, but might also be a legal requirement, especially if your renovation or remodeling project generates lots of bulky trash. Dumpster rentals afford you an easy way to get rid of cumbersome trash items such as the odd piece of plywood, old insulation that you needed to replace, or the large couch that no longer fit with your new interior design.  

Instead of hiring a trash removal company for each of these items, a dumpster rental makes it easy to quickly and easily store that trash for a few days or a week until the dumpster is full or you´re finished with your project. Furthermore, for home cleanouts or for major decluttering projects, a dumpster rental can make it easy for you to get your large, bulky furniture items and appliances out of your home. 

In fact, the city of San Francisco has a public ordinance that expressly regulates these types of trash items. According to the San Francisco Public Works Department, “it is illegal to leave furniture, appliances, garbage bags, or anything on the sidewalk at any time unless you have a scheduled pick up from a licensed hauler or donation facility.”  

3 red dumpsters

 

What You Need to Know When Renting a Dumpster for the Summer  

Before you rent a dumpster for your summer decluttering or renovation project, there are few things that you need to take into consideration.  

  1. Determine the correct size dumpster you will need: Dumpsters come in different sizes as measured by their volume, and the cost will vary depending on the size. Before renting a dumpster, consider how much trash you will be getting rid of in order to appropriately size the unit. Also, it is important to ensure that the dumpster size you choose will fit in your driveway or wherever else you plan to place it. Here at Junk King we have several size dumpsters that are sized to work perfectly for different junk removal projects.  
  2. Avoid overfilling: Another issue associated with properly sizing your dumpster is the threat of overfilling the dumpster you rent. For dumpsters that are loaded past their designated fill line, our junk removal trucks run the hazard of having the junk fall out as we transfer your items to the recycling and donation facilities with whom we work. If your dumpster is filled up and you still have more items to get rid of, you can also call our junk removal professionals for a designated pick up on a scheduled date. We can also provide you with a second dumpster rental if you have the space.  
  3. Make sure to call ahead: During the summer, you´re most likely not going to be the only one looking for a dumpster rental. Businesses, construction companies, and other companies are also most likely looking for a dumpster rental at different times of the summer. Make sure to call ahead to reserve your dumpster for the days you will need it, and to also make sure that the correct size of dumpster will be available. You can call Junk King of San Francisco at 1 (415) 335-7970, or 1 (888)888-JUNK 
  4. Make arrangements to place the dumpster accordingly: Depending on where you live, you might actually need a permit for placing your dumpster. If you don’t have a private driveway that is large enough to accommodate a dumpster, your neighborhood or local council might require a permit for placing the dumpster temporarily on the street. Even if you have large enough driveway, make sure that you have the exact location for its placement so that it doesn’t block traffic or your entrance into your garage.  
  5. Do you have any prohibited items that are not able to be thrown into the dumpster? The dumpsters we rent here at Junk King are able to take on almost all types of construction debris, used furniture and appliances, and other household waste. However, by law, there are certain items such as toxic waste that cannot be placed in the dumpster. If you feel that there might be some questionable items on your “throw-away list,” you can call our customer service representatives to get a complete list of prohibited junk items.  
  6. The threat of illegal dumping: One of the problems associated with renting a dumpster is that it could turn into a public trash service for your neighbors or other passers-by. If you place your dumpster on a street corner or some other accessible place where anyone can access it, there is the chance that you might find your dumpster being filled up with other people´s trash items. To avoid this type of illegal dumping, think about the best place for locating your dumpster rental where it will be less noticeable to people trying to find a way to get rid of their old refrigerator taking up space in their garage. Also, only keep the dumpster on your property for as long as you need it. You may even consider covering the dumpster with a tarp when you are not home to discourage people from illegal dumping. 

Click Here To Book A MINI Dumpster Today!

Junk King of San Francisco is the top-rated company for dumpster rentals in the Bay area. We have dozens of 5-star reviews on Yelp, and go the extra mile to offer you an easy way to get rid of the excess junk in your home or business. With years of experience in junk removal in the city of San Francisco, our customer service specialists can also help you properly size the dumpster for your specific needs and determine the best location for the dumpster you rent from us. We can also help you determine if any permits will be needed for your dumpster location.  

On the designated pick up day, our junk removal technicians will arrive on time and do all the heavy lifting. Unlike other junk removal companies who will haul your waste directly to the local landfill, we here at Junk King make every effort to recycle, donate, or reuse the junk items we pick up. Due to our long-standing relationships with thrift stores, recycling operations, and donation centers, we are able to recycle around 60 percent of the junk that we pick up.  

To schedule a dumpster rental this summer, simply call us for a free quotation. Once you have determined the size dumpster you need, our professionals will arrive to help you properly locate the unit. We are the pioneers of recycling based junk removal right here in the Bay Area, and can help you reduce your environmental footprint by ensuring that all your junk gets every opportunity to be recycled, reused, or donated. To hire a dumpster this summer, give us a call at 1-888-888 JUNK, or book online today! 

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Junk Pickup in San Francisco: Help to Make Landfills a Thing of the Past  

 

Reducing the amount of waste we send to landfills is one of the most important and pressing environmental responsibilities that all of us share. For residents of San Francisco, the combined efforts of citizens, businesses, and local governments have made major progress in reducing the amount of trash that is generated on a yearly basis. In fact, according to a recent article published on CNBC, “San Francisco sends less trash to landfills than any other major U.S. city… The average American produces about 4.4 pounds of waste per day. Thanks to bold public policy and educational initiatives, the city diverts about 80 percent of its waste from landfills, or more than 1.5 million tons every year.”  

Eighty percent less trash is certainly a major achievement, and something that other cities and regions across North America should similarly aspire towards. However, the collective effort to make landfills a thing of the past, requires the dedication and commitment from every individual. While public policies, ordinances, and laws can certainly help to move us towards a zero trash future, the decision to generate less waste ultimately lays with individuals, homeowners, and business owners across the city. In this short article, we look at some of the problems that arise with the amount of trash we collectively generate. We will then outline a few ways in which individuals and businesses can contribute to San Francisco´s goal of making landfills obsolete.  

Junk King serviceman standing on top of a truck while another serviceman stands next to truck

The Problems with Waste Accumulation  

So why exactly should we care about where our trash ends up? For starters, landfill space around the country is growing increasingly scarce. In California, as in most states across the country, the number of closed landfills vastly outnumbers the numbers of operational landfills. Furthermore, many states and regions simply are not able to find sufficient space to open new landfills to take in the waste streams that are generated on a daily basis. Statistically, the United States produces a world-leading 250 million tons of trash each and every year. That amounts to roughly 4.4 pounds of trash per person per day. When the operational landfills that we currently rely on eventually fill up, finding ways to safely dispose of this amount of waste is certainly going to present a pressing problem.  

Furthermore, due to the limited landfill space available, many waste management companies have reverted to burning our trash. While this does create a source of energy (it is debatable as to whether this is an environmentally friendly or renewable source of energy), it also contributes to air pollution problems. In fact, one recent analysis by the Institute for Local Self Reliance finds that waste incinerators which burn trash releases huge amounts of dioxin, lead, and mercury, all of which pose serious health problems to nearby communities. Of course, these incinerators, also create greenhouse gas emissions including both biogenic sources and carbon dioxide and hazardous ash, which could fall on farmland or water sources for even further contamination issues.  

Lastly, much of the waste that we create doesn’t end up in landfills or eventually get burned, but rather ends up in our oceans. Not too far off the coast of San Francisco is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Recent studies have found that this massive collection of garbage that has been swept into the ocean measures more than 1.6 million square kilometers. The ocean currents in the Pacific collect an enormous amount of plastic and other human-generated waste, and air surveys of the patch suggest that the plastics are increasing exponentially, and that there could be 16 times as much as previously thought. 

junk removal service recycling

The Importance of Reuse and Upcycling  

So if you don’t want your waste to end up in increasingly scarce landfills, or to be burned and contribute to air pollution and toxic ash, or end up polluting the ocean ecosystems, what exactly can you do? Recycling has generated a lot of fanfare in recent years, and is certainly one way to help deal with the waste accumulation problem. However, China and other Asian countries have recently stopped accepting the massive amount of trash that the United States and other countries have been “exporting” to them. This has actually led many major cities across the country to cut back on their recycling programs.  

The city of San Francisco, in order to progress its stated goal of becoming “zero waste” is now turning towards “re-using” its trash instead of recycling it. Known as “upcycling,” the idea is to find ways to reuse discarded objects or material in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original. For example, instead of throwing away your old wine bottles or putting them in the recycle bin, “upcycling” would focus on turning those old wine bottles into something of higher values, such as a unique, artisanal chandelier. Similarly, turning old tires into an outdoor dining table is another solution.  

Practical Steps We All Can Take to Limit Waste Accumulation 

Currently in the city of San Francisco, of the city’s annual 900,000 tons of discarded material, it actually diverts more for reuse than it sends to landfills. Though this is laudable progress, the city is still a long ways away from becoming zero waste. The original goal was to become zero waste by 2020 which was missed by a long shot. However, all sectors of society in San Francisco are helping to do their part to continue to divert waste from landfills, incinerators, and the ocean. 

On a policy level, the city of San Francisco has banned single-use plastic bags and other hard-to-recycle items. It is also continually searching for new markets for recyclable plastics after China stopped accepting shipments. The curbside recycling and composting program continues to be expanded to the population.  

Individuals across the country are also contributing to limiting waste streams. Most residents and businesses owners in the city of San Francisco faithfully separate their trash for pickup: black for trash, blue for recycling and green for compost.  

But what about those larger items that simply don’t fit into one of the three bins? Or what about the dozens of bags of waste items that appear after a deep spring cleaning? Fortunately, Junk King of San Francisco is one local business that is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses in San Francisco responsible deal with their large or bulky waste items.  

bulk item and trash removal

The company started in San Francisco back in 2005, and has played a fundamental role in helping the city move towards its zero waste goals. Junk King San Francisco has developed close relationships with dozens of recycling centers, thrift stores, non-profit organizations, and other interested parties in order to help reuse, recycle or upcycle your waste items. In fact, we are able to recycle or upcycle around 60 percent of the junk that we pick up.  

Junk King makes it extremely easy for companies and businesses of San Francisco to responsibly get rid of their large and bulky trash items. Simply call us for a free quotation or send us a text with photos of the items you need removed. We´ll send you a free quote, and once we have agreed upon a price and a two-hour window for pickup, our professional furniture removal staff will send you a text 15-30 minutes before arrival to let you know we´re on our way. We´ll do all the heavy hauling, so you simply have to let us know which pieces of furniture you want to get rid of and we´ll do the rest!  

We offer the most reliable, efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly junk pickup in San Francisco. We are the pioneers of recycling based junk removal right here in the Bay Area, and can help you reduce your environmental footprint by ensuring that all of your waste gets every opportunity to be recycled, upcycled, or donated. If you need furniture removed today, give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK, or book online today! 

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Junk King San Francisco
1485 Bayshore Blvd #225
San Francisco, CA 94124
Hours: M-F: 8A-5P, Sa: 8A-4P, Su: 8A-3P

Providing junk removal services to the San Francisco area, including:

San Francisco
and these nearby zip codes:
94013, 94101, 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108, 94109, 94110, 94111, 94112, 94114, 94115, 94116, 94117, 94118, 94119, 94120, 94121, 94122, 94123, 94124, 94127, 94128, 94129, 94130, 94131, 94132, 94133, 94134, 94143, 94158