Getting Rid of Junk Not Good Enough to Give Away

Sometimes you find yourself with junk you just can’t get rid of. You are stuck with some items that you can’t sell on Craigslist, can’t donate to Goodwill, and can’t even give away on Freecycle. But that junk doesn’t have to sit around your apartment forever. Here are some ideas on ways to dispose of it properly.

Donna Lindley, a professional organizer, has had to help her clients get rid of plenty of junk during apartment clean outs. She recommends 1-800-GOT-JUNK as a simple solution. “They come to your apartment, haul your items out to their truck, and charge you based on volume.” The company operates nationally and will even provide an on-site estimate on removing trash and other junk from your place.

If you have access to a truck, you can haul off your own junk. Most landfills, recycling centers and garbage dumps will allow anyone to drop off loads of junk for a fee based on how much you have. However, 1-800-GOT-JUNK includes site fees in its pricing and offers rates less than renting a truck. They’ll also provide speedy service if you’re moving out of your apartment and have a deadline you need to be out by.

Depending on the type of junk you need to get rid of, there are also some other options. Paint, batteries and other materials considered hazardous should be taken to a collection center that can handle disposal. Such centers are located in most cities — it’s just a matter of checking when you can drop off items. Other items might be junk to you, but still might be useful. For example, many schools will take old magazines for student art projects. Animal shelters will even accept donations of old sheets and towels to use as rags. Many other organizations will accept a surprising collection of odds and ends.

Before you try to toss something into the trash, it’s worth checking into whether it can be reused or recycled. It can take a little more time than simply calling a junk hauler, but you can find a wealth of opportunities to help out someone who can actually make use of something you would otherwise throw out. It really is true that one person’s trash can be another person’s treasure.