Quick answer
What happens to my items after pickup?
Loads are hand-sorted at our warehouse. We donate what can be reused, recycle what can be recycled and take the rest to appropriate disposal facilities.
Step by Step
- Pickup. Our crew loads your items from wherever they are and sweeps the work area. Disposal is included in your upfront price.
- Hand-sorting at our warehouse. Each load is sorted by hand for materials such as metals, e-waste, paper, household products, textiles, furniture and appliances.
- Donation. Usable items are donated whenever possible. Whether an item can be donated depends on its condition and on what the receiving organization accepts.
- Recycling. Recyclable materials are taken to the right recycling sites.
- Disposal. Whatever can’t be reused or recycled goes to appropriate disposal facilities.
Materials We Recycle or Reuse
These are the materials we recycle or reuse when they come in. Whether a specific item is donated, recycled or disposed of depends on its material and condition.
- Appliances
- Water heaters
- Metals
- Wood
- Concrete
- Asphalt
- Dirt
- Organic waste
- E-waste
- Furniture
- Clothes
- Personal items
- Toys
- Construction materials
- Computers
How Common Items Are Handled
| Item | How we handle it |
|---|---|
| Electronics (e-waste) | Sent to charity when it still works, or to a recycling facility when it doesn’t. |
| Appliances | Working units are donated and the rest recycled whenever possible. |
| Mattresses and box springs | Sent for donation or recycling whenever possible. |
| Exercise equipment | Broken down when needed; metal and plastic components are sent for recycling. |
| BBQ grills | Taken apart when needed, with the metal sent for recycling. |
| Concrete | Taken to a concrete recycling plant. |
| Green waste | Recycled whenever possible. |
| Carpet | We look for responsible disposal options through a recycling center. |
Donation Receipts
We donate reusable items whenever possible, but we can’t guarantee a donation receipt for tax purposes, since the receiving organization decides what qualifies.
Items That Need Different Handling
Some materials, such as car fluids, biohazardous materials, pesticides and herbicides, wet paint and pressurized containers, are items we typically can’t take. We can point you to places in San Diego that accept them. See what we take for the full list.
Recycling-First Junk Removal for Businesses
For offices and businesses that want recycling-first junk removal, see green commercial junk removal. For branches, brush and other yard waste, see green waste hauling.
