It is sometimes difficult to think of possessions we’ve held onto for decades as “junk.” But let’s face it, some of it is.
Once we get over the fact that our basement or attic is literally filled with useless, moldy, rotten or broken items, we then have to decide how to get rid of it. Fortunately today, as more and more “baby boomers” begin to downsize and “right-size” their homes, new services have become available. You might ask, which one might be right for me?
Full service
Franchise operations such 1-800-Got-Junk and College Hunks Hauling Junk will send colorful trucks and uniformed drivers right to your door. After greeting you politely (I have never experienced a rude driver from either of these outfits), you can walk the laborers through your home and just point to the junk that you’d like to have removed. Broken couch in the basement? No problem. Bags of concrete in the shed? Done.
Here are some of the items 1-800-Got-Junk can haul away:
Wood – Fencing, firewood, old timber
Construction materials – Debris, tiling
Garden refuse – Branches, tree and bush clippings
Furniture – Couches/sofas, sofa beds, mattresses
Appliances – Fridges, freezers, washers & dryers
Garage, Shed & Attic junk – Boxes, books, old tools, tires
Concrete – From broken pathways or flooring
Soil & dirt from a new garden
Roofing items – Tiles and corrugated iron
Renovation refuse – Walls, windows, floorboards, drywall, plasterboard, frames, etc.
…and the best part is, most franchises will provide a clean sweep of the area once they are done. You really do not have to lift a finger.
Most franchises also work within the community to recycle or reuse goods wherever possible, cutting down on the amount of stuff that actually ends up in the landfills.
Pricing varies for these services and rough estimates may be found online at 1-800-Got-Junk or College Hunks Hauling Junk. Once you take convenience and labor into consideration, prices in most parts of the country are pretty competitive with dumpsters and other labor intensive methods.
Do It Yourself
Of course, there is always the dumpster method. Who doesn’t like having a big old dumpster dropped right in their driveway? Dumpsters offer a certain kind of freedom and the need to fill all that empty space with anything and everything creates a certain kind of downsizing momentum that propels you through even the toughest projects. The only problem is, sometimes your neighbors may also feel the need to fill that big empty dumpster and before you know it, your dumpster is full of everyone else’s stuff. Maybe there should be some kind of “dumpster etiquette” that prevents others from using your receptacle until you have completely finished throwing things out.
Consumers are also cautioned to verify delivery methods with the dumpster companies, as it is possible to end up with a cracked or scarred driveway if proper precautions are not taken.
Prices for dumpsters are less than the full service method, since labor is not an issue, and prices can vary a great deal across the country. Rates depend on the size (cubic yard) of the dumpster and the length of time for the rental, express rentals, weekly or monthly rates. Most dumpster companies will quote rates over the phone or directly on their websites.
Bag It
Waste Management companies now have what is called the Bagster program. This is a “do it yourself” concept where the consumer buys an oversize bag, that acts as a small dumpster. You can buy the Bagster at most home improvement stores. Each depository holds up to 3 cubic yards of material and once filled, arrangements can be made with your local Waste Management to remove the bag. The Bagster can hold household items and construction debris, with some restrictions on heavier items.
You can find the collection fees and schedule the Bagster pick up right online.
Hazardous Waste
None of the above options will help you get rid of your hazardous household waste (HHW). To find more about hazardous waste collections and drop off, contact your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for the time and location of your HHW collection or drop off program. A partial list of potential hazardous items may be downloaded here: HHWProducts.
©RightSized Living®. Excerpt from “RightSized Living: the Guide for Later Lifestyles.” All content has been created by or on behalf of RightSized Living®. No reprint in part or entirety without permission. Full copyright must be included with permissions.
About the author: Nan Hayes has helped countless families with organizing , downsizing and move management. She is the founder of MoveSeniors.com and is dedicated to helping seniors find qualified professional resources to support their home transitions.
Tags: 1-800-GOT-JUNK, bagster, cleaning, clutter, College Hunks Hauling Junk, hazardous household waste, junk, waste management
Hi,
Great post and thanks for the shout-out. We certainly work with many seniors downsizing and do our best to be respectful of the items these people have held onto for many years.
Tania