123JUNK Archives

A sit down with Jake the Junkman…

Posted on October 14, 2020 | by collin

Job Title: Corporate Mascot

Company: 123JUNK, LLC

What is your role at 123JUNK?

My role as the mascot for 123JUNK is to set the standard. I want everyone who works and interacts with the people at this junk removal company to think highly of 123JUNK. Whether it’s a realtor who refers us, a couple who just moved to the area, or a senior member of the staff: I aim for smiles across the board and a thumbs up when I walk past.

What made you want to apply to 123JUNK?

Their emphasis on culture. 123JUNK views junk removal as a team sport. Everyone involved from the get-go feels like they’re on the same team. I didn’t have that at my last job, and it’s something I found exciting with 123JUNK.

When did you know that 123JUNK was the place for you?

Well, I always knew I wanted to be a mascot. Everywhere I looked, it seemed the position had been filled. When I learned about a new junk removal company, back in 2008, that was actively searching…it was a no brainer. I had a sit down with Collin, the owner of the company, and I just knew that this is where I wanted to be.

What is your fondest memory with 123JUNK, thus far?

Honestly, I couldn’t pick just one. I try to get out in the community as often as possible. We visit realtor offices, participate in the Dulles plane pull, host community events, and showcase our company in local parades. We want the world to know that 123JUNK intends to be active in the community. I love that.

What’s a quote that gets you excited about your line of work and why?

The quote would have to be, “if loving junk is wrong, I don’t want to be right!” I’d make the argument that whatever you do with your life, you should be passionate about it. You should wake up motivated and excited about what is to come. That’s part of the reason I love this job and the company I work for!

If 2020 went exactly as 123JUNK hopes, what would the company’s list of accomplishments look like?

Well, three ideas come to mind right away. 1) We would have made every effort to help as many people as possible. 2) Created career opportunities for more people, developing young employees into leaders. 3) A much larger part of our local community would have furnished homes due, in part, to our charity initiatives.

Learn More About Our Junk Removal Company’s Culture in Chantilly, VA!

At 123JUNK, not only are we committed to our employees, but we also value professionalism and customer service all while respecting our environment. As a Chantilly junk removal company dedicated to a three-step process of Donating – Recycling – Disposing, we can ensure your items will be handled properly by our friendly and professional team. Maybe you will even see Jake the Junkman!

Interested in joining our team? We’re hiring! View our current opportunities.

For junk removal assistance, call (800) 364-5778 or fill out our online form to schedule a service today.

Growth of the Green Movement in America

Posted on November 13, 2017 | by chad

Did you know that the Washington D.C. metropolitan area is the third greenest area in the United States? It’s a fact that we at 123JUNK are extremely proud of…we like to think we’re doing our part to make it so.

While things in our community have drastically improved, they are still are far from ideal. We live in a consumer society where people are continually purchasing new products and throwing away old ones, and that junk and waste disposal can pose a serious threat to the environment and human health.

The History of the Green Movement

While the Green Movement has European roots, it probably wouldn’t be as strong as it is today without the U.S. influence. Medieval Europeans realized that some sustainable practices were important for the prosperity and well-being of people. However, it wasn’t until after America was colonized that humans started valuing nature in itself, and not just because it was useful to people.

This celebration of nature didn’t last long, though. As the Industrial Revolution rose, people focused on its benefits and began neglecting the impact to our world. At the same time the Industrial Revolution took its toll on human health (not to mention pollution of big cities), environmentalism was born. One of the first and most important measures America took to preserve nature was establishing Yellowstone National Park in 1872 as a place where the exploitation of nature was strictly forbidden.

Not much changed at the beginning of the 20^th century, with events like the Great Depression and World Wars I and II overshadowing any conservation efforts. Following World War II, however, more and more people began to understand the negative effects post-war industrialization had on the environment. Something had to be done.

The 1960s were a turning point for the Green Movement, with nationwide conservation efforts ultimately resulting in establishing Earth Day to celebrate our planet and help keep it healthy and beautiful. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970.

In the years following this important milestone, environmental consciousness continued to rise among governmental bodies, companies, institutions and individuals. In recent years, the Green Movement solidified itself as one of the most significant movements of our time, with science and research leading the way to a new, more eco-friendly era.

123JUNK is Making a Difference in Your Community

123JUNK is dedicated to doing our part by recycling and repurposing as much junk as possible to keep it out of the landfills and by raising awareness about the importance of safe and responsible waste disposal. We try to be as eco-friendly as possible with the thinking that together we all can make our world a better place.

If you are located in Maryland, Washington, D.C. or Northern Virginia and have junk you’d like us to haul off, schedule your appointment today.

Careful Communication is Key to 123JUNK’s Success

Posted on August 14, 2016 | by chad

When running a business that centers on customer satisfaction, like 123JUNK, communication can make all the difference. Good communication can create a happy and pleasant experience, while bad communication can turn a perfectly good day into a terrible one in an instant. We’d much prefer to have happy clieints and employees.

We make communication one of our core values and strive in every instance to be clear, polite, and personable in each and every interaction.

With clients, we try to make interactions with 123JUNK both pleasant and easy. We always answer the phones personally, and provide a complete quote on any job that includes everything from fuel to labor. There are never any surprises after the job is done. Clients are free to ask questions to any member of our staff or crew, at any time. And if there ever is a miscommunication, 123JUNK does everything we can to make the situation right. We insist on having happy clients. We even have a team member designated as “Client Experience Manager” to ensure that our client’s expectations are met.

Internally, we hold weekly meetings with the entire staff to review company news, provide ongoing training and discuss any issues that may have arisen during the week, no matter how small. When we are all on the same page, our unity translates into better service for our customers.

Many companies may say they value communication, but don’t walk that path every day. At 123JUNK, our employees are trained in our core values, which are posted prominently in our offices as daily reminders. We even communicate our values through our clean trucks and professionally-uniformed employees.

We suggest that you try us out…give 123JUNK a call to schedule removal of your unwanted junk, yard waste, old furniture or electronics. We’re sure you’ll be pleased. However, if you have suggestions for how we can communicate even better—we’re all ears!

123JUNK is Taking Over Maryland!!

Posted on July 31, 2016 | by chad

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but 123JUNK is really growing in Maryland, especially around the I-495 and I-270 corridor. From a company starting in Virginia in 2008, we’ve expanded our territory quite a bit. I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw one of our big red trucks on the road today.

When we opened our Maryland location a couple of years ago, we thought it might take some time to grow and become known, but boy-oh-boy, we were wrong. The phone hasn’t stopped ringing since. Marylanders heartily welcomed 123JUNK as their junk removal company of choice in cities including Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, Rockville and more.

From the feedback and letters we receive, Marylanders appreciate our level of professionalism and attention to detail, not to mention the courteous service, from the first phone call to the last pickup. They even tell us they’re surprised that we’re a local company and not a franchised system. We must be doing something right!

Perhaps it’s our core values that keep us on track. When we founded the business we wanted to run it as if we were the customers. We thought long and hard about how we would want to be treated as customers and make it a point to train everyone at our company with the same philosophy. We want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience with us every time.

Thank you Maryland for supporting 123JUNK. We’re glad to be part of your community.

The Best Home Repairs to Make in The Summer

Posted on July 15, 2016 | by chad

The amount of construction debris 123JUNK has hauled away this summer is a good indicator that lots of people use the warmer months to make home repairs, remodel or install a new outdoor living space. Here are some of the best projects to tackle this summer.

Repair the Roof

Use the summer months to replace shingles, broken or missing tiles, or the entire roof. Leaks, sagging gutters and chimney cracks should also be repaired this time of year.

Replace Siding

Your siding is designed to protect and insulate your home as well as provide an aesthetic beauty. Make sure it is free of insects and in good shape after summer thunder and hailstorms and use the summer months to replace or upgrade it.

Remove Rotted Woodwork

Repair or replace rotted woodwork around window sills and sashes.

Haul Away Yard Debris

Ensure your home’s safety by removing dead or damaged trees. Haul away broke limbs and other storm debris.

Add Insulation

Lower your cooling and heating costs with insulation in the attic or between the siding and your walls.

Clean Out the Shed

Most people’s outdoor buildings could use a good cleaning. Empty the entire shed, sweep it out, and only replace the items that you really use. Call 123JUNK to haul away the rest.

Remove Outdated Play Items

If you have an old swingset, rotting picnic table or an above-ground pool you never use, remove them. Your yard will look better and you’ll have more room for the things you do like and use.

Add a Deck

Summer is the perfect time to add that deck our outdoor patio you’ve always wanted. Screen in a porch or add a gazebo.

Replace a Driveway

If your old driveway is cracked, damaged or unsightly, replace it with a new one in paving, stone or concrete.

When you’re cleaning up after construction projects in Virginia, Maryland or DC, there’s no need for you to go to the dump. If you have debris, large objects, or downed branches, call 123JUNK. Our uniformed professionals will be glad to clear away these items and haul them off in our big red trucks for you.

What’s Junk Got to Do With It?

Posted on July 4, 2016 | by chad

We decided when we started 123JUNK to espouse a three-point initiative that includes: Donate – Recycle – Dispose in order to help protect our fragile environment. What you might consider junk could just be mucking up our earth—but it doesn’t have to.

History of Environmental Protection

Some of the statistics about waste are shocking. According to Duke University’s Center for Sustainability & Commerce, “Approximately 55% of 220 million tons of waste generated each year in the United States ends up in one of the over 3,500 landfills.” They go on to report than municipal waste landfills account for 22% of methane emissions.

How 123JUNK Solves the Problem

By culling out items that can be reused in some way, 123JUNK greatly limits the volume of items we take to the landfill. Reusable items like furniture, household goods, clothing and toys are made available for our charitable partners who return them to families who could use them. Repurposable materials like metals, paper and electronic components are taken to a local recycling center. And only then do we take whatever is left over to the dump.

Although we cannot solve all of the world’s problems, we are doing our little bit here at home. If you’re in Maryland, Northern Virginia or Washington D.C. and would like to “join our cause” and donate your unwanted goods or schedule yard waste pickup, please contact 123JUNK. We’ll be glad to schedule one of our big red trucks to come to your home or business.

What’s junk got to do with it? Everything, to us.

123JUNK Can Help With Summer Storm Cleanup

Posted on July 29, 2016 | by chad

Summer storms can sometimes wreak havoc on our lawnscapes, breaking branches, downing trees, crushing outdoor furniture or littering the yard with debris. What was a beautiful landscape now becomes a disaster zone.

In our area recently, we have been plagued with thunderstorms, hailstorms and even a derecho, and as the pictures on the local TV station testify, there is plenty to clean up.

Local authorities discourage people from tossing yard waste, damaged furniture, water-damaged carpet, or loose debris in with their regular trash items. Rather, they encourage you to gather items into a pile for pickup. If your city does not provide pickup call 123JUNK. With our oversized dump trucks, 123JUNK can load and haul away large loads of debris, damaged furniture or lawn toys and equipment, recycling items when we can. You simply have to point us to the pile.

We do not, however, provide tree services. Any large trees, downed or dangerous trees should be serviced by a licensed tree contractor. Do not attempt to remove trees or branches that have become entangled in electrical wires.

Municipalities and community HOA requirements request that storm cleanup to occur shortly after damage is done in order to maintain cleanliness and sanitary standards. Besides, you’ll feel better once your yard is back to a favorable condition.

Just remember, you don’t have to do it alone. You have 123JUNK to help.

123JUNK Partner Spotlight: Loudoun Habitat ReStore

Posted on May 10, 2016 | by chad

We hate to see perfectly good items end up in the landfill. That’s why we’ve partnered with wonderful organizations like Loudoun Habitat ReStore in Leesburg, Virginia. We thank them for their dedication to helping local families with both housing through Habitat for Humanity, and furnishings through the ReStore.

When 123JUNK gets a call to pick up indoor or outdoor furniture or household goods, we have a sorting process that culls out the items that can be loved by a new family. We deposit these items into a special bin near the county landfill, where Loudoun Habitat ReStore can pick them up and place them for resale in their store.

“We’re seeing that people are becoming more environmentally savvy and see the value of not throwing good items into a landfill,” said ReStore manager Therese Cashen. “They are focused on recycling, upcycling and repurposing. 123JUNK’s process allows us to get great donations that we can recycle into the community and enable us to fund affordable housing for Loudoun residents.”

Your Old Home Furnishings are Treasures to Another Family

“Whereas many of the ReStores sell building supplies, our store features about 14,000 square feet where we sell mostly home furnishings. We sell anything for the home, and when we have furniture it sells fast,” Cashen said. ”Our biggest challenge is getting enough donations,” Cashen said.

Habitat for Humanity Helps Families Get a Home

The mission of Habitat International is to eradicate substandard housing around the world by building simple, decent and affordable housing in partnership with people in need. “In Loudoun, we have people who work here and can’t afford to live here, so our job is to try to put folks into a livable home or condo,” Cashen explained. “Families and singles can apply to our program, and if chosen, have to put in 100 or more hours of ‘sweat equity’ working on the home or in the store.” The homeowners do acquire a reduced-amount mortgage and need to pay their own bills once they move in.

Call 123JUNK to Donate Your Unwanted Items

If you have perfectly good home or office furnishings you’d like to clear out, please call 123JUNK. We’ll be glad to haul away the items for you, make them available to our charitable partners, and give you a receipt so you can deduct your donation on next year’s taxes. Our big red trucks are waiting for your call.

Learn more about Loudoun ReStore here

You Can’t Throw out a Refrigerator

Posted on May 13, 2016 | by chad

Did you know that you can’t just throw out a refrigerator or air conditioner, or anything with a refrigeration coil? They contain a biohazard – namely Freon – that needs to properly disposed of.

The Facts About Freon

The use of Freon has been strictly regulated ever since the signing of The 1987 Montreal Protocol, an international agreement regarding the destruction of our planet’s ozone layer, and mandates are set forth in the Clean Air Act of 1990. Under the Act, “no one may accept an item containing CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and/or HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) unless the Freon contained within is properly removed and the owner/hauler/appliance company can show proof of proper removal.” It is also unlawful for any person to knowingly release or vent CFCs or HCFCs into the air.

Therefore, 123JUNK must dispose of your refrigerant and refrigerator in accordance with procedures required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help prevent the release of Freon into our atmosphere.

Qualified and trained technicians are required to remove Freon from your old appliance, who must sign and provide a form after they do so. To comply with EPA regulations, this form must be handed to the dump employee before he or she is able to accept the refrigerator or air conditioner.

Why is Freon Harmful?

For the scientific explanation, Freon contains chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons that break down when they migrate to the upper atmosphere, releasing free chlorine atoms. This chlorine reacts with the ozone, creating molecular oxygen that can damage the Earth’s ozone layer. This is important because the ozone layer filters out harmful ultraviolet sunlight. Heard of global warming?

Let 123JUNK Dispose of That Fridge

You don’t need to worry about Freon, because that’s our job at 123JUNK. We are up to date on all regulations, and have the contacts and procedures already in place. All you need to do is pick up the phone and give us a call. Our professional, uniformed staff will remove and dispose of your refrigerator or air conditioner promptly and properly.

123JUNK Can Help You Sell Your House

Posted on May 6, 2016 | by chad

When the spring flowers bloom, so does the spring real estate market. It’s as busy as a bee in a field of blossoms. People are out looking for homes to buy and others are sprucing up their houses to show them to their best advantage.

As any Realtor will tell you, you will sell your home faster and for a higher price by doing what they call “staging.” Staging neutralizes a home so that any potential buyers can picture themselves living in the home. Staging also opens up spaces, which in turn, gives the impression of larger rooms and roomier spaces.

Declutter

One of the first pieces of advice a Realtor gives is to “Declutter.” This means putting away personalized items such as photographs and memorabilia, storing extraneous items such as knickknacks and small kitchen appliances, and getting rid of excess, broken or unusable items.

That’s where 123JUNK can help. It’s a big job to clear out a home for a move, so while you’re packing up, use this time to sort out items you no longer use, need or want. Once you’ve created that pile, call us and we’ll come out to remove it.

Clean Up

Don’t forget the home’s exterior when staging. Clear out piles of winter’s debris such as broken limbs, twigs, and any outdoor furniture or toys that might have been damaged by winter storms. Let 123JUNK haul away your yard debris.

Clear Out

You’ll probably be surprised by the number of boxes sitting in your attic and basement—that you never open. Rather than pay for storage or moving fees for these obviously-unneeded items, get rid of them. 123JUNK has a “Donate-Recycle-Dispose” policy where we will sort your items and donate reusable items to our charity partners (you get the receipt), recycle re-usable materials such as metals, and dispose of the rest. If it’s “too good” to throw away, call us.

For removing the clutter, clearing up, and clearing out, call 123JUNK. You’ll sell your home faster and for more money by creating airy, open spaces that showcase your home to its best advantage.