Junk'N Stuff Blog

Bay Service Verses Ocean Experience

• Written by Patrick Drago
• Friday, May 03, 2013

The month of April whizzed by like a Formula 1 racecar, and here we are in May. Spring cleaning is in full swing, and the temperatures are creeping up from warm to hot. It’s the time of year to go through your garage, basement, or even attic to dust off the lawn mowers, bathing suits and beach towels. If you find yourself in need of a helping hand to make the process of clearing out un-used or un-wanted “junk” less taxing, a crew of 123JUNK men and a truck could be the answer. There are, however more exciting things to think about this time of year than cleaning, like for instance the beach. Growing up on an island I’m no stranger to the beach, and two particular memories stand out among the rest.

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How to Prepare for Your Next Outdoor Project

• Wednesday, April 17, 2013

With the weather warming up, people will begin taking action on those landscaping and outdoor projects that they’ve been planning throughout the winter. Perhaps you’re going to finally put in that pool this year. Or maybe this will be the year that you decide to install a new patio. No matter what the project is, it is likely going to involve some serious planning and as a byproduct, a generous amount of waste/debris.

Sometimes before people can get a project underway, there are other items they must get taken care of. For example, maybe before you can put in that pool, you need to take down an old shed and trim overgrown tree branches. Taking on all of this work can make that new project not seem so worthwhile.  On top of that, figuring out how to dispose of all of the waste can become daunting. However, don’t let this work stand in your way. There are a few simple steps you can take to make the process easier.

Get Bagging - Disposing of yard debris such as grass and leaves can be as simple as bagging it and leaving it at your curb for trash pickup. Placing other yard debris such as small twigs should be bundled and tied. Be sure to keep this debris under four feet in length. You may also find it helpful to keep all debris separated in like piles.

Find the Guidelines - Debris from other sources such as trees or sheds, tree houses, etc., may require a bit more work. Most counties will have specific guidelines for how to set these items out for disposal and they can normally be found though local government websites.

Pick Your Day - Nobody wants their yard to become unsightly during a project, but depending on the scope of the work it may be unavoidable, at least temporarily. Help limit your stress by accepting this and setting a goal date to have all of the major debris ready for removal. Then you can begin focusing on getting everything prepped simply for removal. This can drastically cut down on the time you spend hauling waste from your home, which should alleviate some of the stress with such projects.

These tips are nothing shocking, but it tends to be the little things that add up and cause a new project turn in to a headache. If you’re planning any projects in your yard this season, we would be happy to assist you in your planning and making sure every item is checked off of your list.

Old School Business Practices

• Written by Patrick Drago
• Tuesday, April 16, 2013

In a world overwhelmed by technology, we are becoming more connected and available than ever, and at the same time, increasingly removed. The image of a group of friends all sitting together on the living room sofa, while absorbed in their individual phone applications is a prime example of this. We have sacrificed a human touch element of life for streamlined convenience, and this can most readily be seen in the world of service industries.

Well at 123JUNK, we certainly recognize the power of technology, and what it can do for the efficiency of a business, but at the same time we are committed to the value of a personal touch as well. A phone call can add clarity to an appointment, and helps us understand and get to know our clients better than a simple email can. This same idea bridges back to how we communicate to the business partners who have helped us get to where we are today. It's of utmost importance to us to find out how our clients first heard about the company, so that we can thank the people who consistently lend their support; our favorite method being a hand written thank you card.

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How To Properly Dispose of Hazardous Materials

• Written by Collin Wheeler
• Tuesday, April 09, 2013

While getting rid of waste should always be championed, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. Recycling can do wonders for the environment, while improper disposal of certain items can do an equal amount of damage. Most people are aware of these issues, but knowing how to deal with them is not common knowledge. So, how can you make sure you're follow the proper disposal methods?

Learn What Items Are Hazardous Materials - Understanding which items are considered hazardous may seem tedious, however you can make it a bit easier on yourself by not overthinking it. First, examine the products you want to dispose and check for any warnings or symbols indicating they are toxic, flammable, or corrosive. This is an immediate sign that you will need to take precaution during disposal. Examples of hazardous materials include batteries, paint, and pesticides.

Exchange or Donate - This idea may seem counterproductive, but why not help others if the option presents itself? Many times, communities will have organized events where items can be donated and put to good use. This can also help extend the use of products. For example, leftover pesticides could be put to use by public works throughout the community.

Find a Disposal Location - Once you have a list of items of what you are looking to dispose of (that cannot be donated first), find a disposal area. Most States or local communities have designated areas where hazardous materials can be dropped off for proper disposal. To find these areas, contact your local government.

Properly disposing of hazardous materials does not have to be a complicated process. In fact, your community and local government can help you make the process very easy. So when you’re doing your spring cleaning over the next few weeks, keep this in mind and help minimize waste.

Recycle

• Written by Collin Wheeler
• Friday, April 05, 2013

The EPA estimates that approximately 75% of all solid waste is recyclable, yet only about 30% actually gets recycled. Given that we produce nearly 1.5 billion tons of waste in one year, that leaves 675 million tons of recyclable waste unrecycled!

Just a little effort behind recycling can make a major impact in our communities and the well being of our environment. Let’s stop wasting and start seeing green

123JUNK and Community Service

• Written by Max Rhodes
• Monday, April 01, 2013

When I started working at 123JUNK six months ago as a Truck Foreman, I had no idea I would be making such a big difference in my local community. One of our company's most important core values is to maintain strong ties to our community. Each 123JUNK employee makes a commitment to living that core value to the fullest through community service. In fact every 123JUNK employee puts in hundreds of hours of community service every year. The time we spend everyday sorting, packing, and loading/unloading the donations we provide to our charity partners, is all time spent that benefits those less fortunate in our local community.

There are numerous ways our efforts may end up helping our local community. The donations we provide can help raise money for housing development projects sponsored by Habitat for Humanity. They may support a food drive for the homeless at the Western Fairfax Christian Ministry. They may even help raise money to sponsor the Boy Scout Troop at the Pender Men's Group. However we end up helping the local community, we always know we are contributing to a good cause with the help of our charity partners.

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Protecting the Home

• Written by Zach Johnson
• Saturday, March 30, 2013

Our reputation has been built on giving our clients an unexpectedly great experience that they can share with their friends and family.  We continue to build on that reputation by going above and beyond the standards that our competitors and regulators set for us in our line of work.

Consider, for instance, a recent conversation we had with someone who has used junk removal companies in the past.  He said that he doesn’t use junk removal companies because they don’t go to the same lengths as moving companies to protect the home.  In his experience, junk removal companies were more likely to scratch walls, damage items, and leave him unsatisfied with his experience, than say, a moving company would be. He obviously hadn’t used 123JUNK before, but it’s not uncommon for our clients to feel that way about hauling companies before they’ve experienced us.

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Greening Up Junk

• Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Environmentally friendly waste removal is essential in a densely populated metropolis like Washington DC. Just the thought of obstructing any part of the beautiful surrounding area or the shores of the Potomac is hard to fathom. When it comes to junk removal services, it should be one of your priorities to consider a company that follows "green-friendly" standards. Hiring a company that simply takes junk to a landfill or dumping site often leads to those items being left there for many years, and they do not naturally break down.

Many old appliances can even be considered harmful to your health. Just imagine if an old refrigerator was dumped near a watershed, and as a result contaminating the water supply of a whole town. All of this could happen if you don’t ask the right questions about how a company will dispose of your junk.  We are very environmentally conscious and only strive to be even greener in the future. Also, with spring cleaning right around the corner and remodeling projects to look forward to, it is the perfect time to call your neighborhood junk removal service. We hope that you select a company with a good environmental outlook! Stay green DMV!

The 123JUNK level of client satisfaction.

• Written by Collin Wheeler
• Tuesday, March 19, 2013

I read recently in a Brian Tracy Book that there are four levels of client satisfaction.

Level One: A company meets the client’s expectations. This is the bare minimum for survival. This is where most reputable companies exist.

Level Two: A company exceeds the client’s expectations. Perhaps somebody over-delivers in some way by going beyond the call of duty.

Level Three: A company delights or impresses their client. They’re so satisfied that their experience that they subconsciously create a sense of loyalty to the company. They are more compelled to use the company again down the line.

Level Four: A company amazes their client. The client is so taken back by the experience that they not only look forward to using the company again, but they feel obligated to tell their friends as well.

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Moldy Junk

• Friday, March 15, 2013

In any basement there may be mold growing and slowly making its way throughout the whole house, especially during the winter season.  Sometimes the homeowner doesn’t even know mold is there because there is too much junk in that space to find the source of the problem. You may smell mildew or see something growing up the wall but you can’t possibly move through all of the stuff to get to the source.

Now is your chance to change that. 123Junk will gladly dispose of all of those old, moldy or wet boxes, newspapers, clothes, etc. so that you and your family are able to breathe again. Many people may think to do this themselves, but it isn’t particularly safe to do so on their own due to the harmful things mold spores can do to people’s lungs. We can safely dispose of the problem and you won’t have to think about it ever again. We encourage you to check your items and move those  that are important to avoid having them disposed accidentally. With spring right around the corner, get a breath of fresh air and get rid of your junk.