Tag: recycling

Earth Week

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Earth Week is a global event celebrated annually from April 16th to the 22nd to help raise awareness about environmental issues and promote actions that would protect our planet.

During Earth Week, various events and activities take place, such as community cleanups, tree planting, educational campaigns and sustainable living initiatives. Organizations, schools and individuals can participate by organizing events, activities and programs to promote environmental awareness and encourage people to take action. Activities in the past have included environmental film festivals, eco-friendly art shows and environmentally-themed concerts, along with speakers, recycling drives and fairs showcasing sustainable products and services.

Earth Week was first observed in the United States in 1970 as a response to growing concerns about environmental issues such as pollution, loss of wilderness and wildlife extinction. It was proposed by Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin who wanted to create a national teach-in on the environment. An estimated 20 million people participated in the rallies, marches and demonstrations that took place in cities across the US.

Today, Earth Week is a worldwide event offering an opportunity for individuals, communities and organizations to come together to learn about environmental issues take action to protect our planet, and advocate for policies that promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Earth Week and Earth Day are not the same, but are related. Earth Day is specifically celebrated annually on April 22nd. Earth Week, on the other hand, is a week-long event that takes place leading up to Earth Day.

How Can I Commemorate Earth Week?

There are a number of ways you, or your business or organization, can promote Earth Week and environmental awareness:

  • Organize a community cleanup to clear the local parks, beaches and streets of litter and debris.
  • Create a neighborhood recycling event where items homeowners no longer use or want can be picked up by a junk removal company like 123JUNK and either delivered to local charity partners or taken to area recycling centers.
  • Promote sustainable practices at work or home, like recycling, reducing waste and conserving resources like energy and water.
  • Support environmental organizations through donations or volunteer time.
  • Host an educational event, film screening or interactive workshop to raise awareness or teach skills about sustainable practices and environmental awareness.
  • Partner with organizations to create a larger impact.

Related blog post: Earth Day

What Can I Do Personally to Help Keep Items out of Landfills?

You can help reduce environmental pollution and conserve resources by:

  • Reducing waste you generate. Choose products with minimal packaging, buy in bulk and avoid single-use items.
  • Reusing items. Before you throw things away, consider whether they can be reused. Reuse containers for storage, old clothing for cleaning rags or scrap paper for crafts or notes.
  • Recycling. Learn what can and cannot be recycled in your area and properly sort them.
  • Composting. Instead of throwing away food scraps and yard waste, compost them instead to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment that you can use to fertilize your garden and lawn.
  • Donating or selling items. If items are in good condition, donate them to charity (123JUNK will pick them up!) or sell them online.

123JUNK Helps Your Earth Week Initiatives Locally

Keeping items out of landfill is our number one priority at 123JUNK and we are glad to help you, your company or your organization with your Earth Week initiatives. With our 1-2-3 Process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose we’ll pick up or look for items that can be donated to our charity partners. We’ll pull out items that cannot be repurposed but do contain recyclable materials and take them directly to the appropriate recycling centers. As a final resort, we’ll take what’s left over to the landfill.

123JUNK is a locally-founded and operated, environmentally-friendly junk removal company. As such, we care greatly about the communities in which we, ourselves live. Contact 123JUNK today and let us help you with your Earth Week junk removal and recycling event.

two men moving a couch with three men seated on it

A First-Hand Look into 123JUNK Experiences

Posted on | by collin

Working in the waste management industry is full of surprises—some more memorable than others. And while at first glance, a junk removal company may seem similar to the usual garbage collection and disposal workers that visit your neighborhood once a week, we have a much more thoughtful process. 

123JUNK is Washington DC’s leading junk removal company that is on a mission to donate, recycle, and properly dispose of unwanted, gently used items. While implementing this 1-2-3 process, our team of experts have encountered a variety of unique experiences while out in the field. Take a look at their personal experiences below!

The House with 10,000 Records

On my first day, I was on the trucks with Timmy, and we had finished up all of our appointments, but another team’s job took longer than expected and they were going to miss the window for their last appointment. So we get assigned to the house with 10,000 records. The job was far away, but we still went to make sure the customer’s expectations were met. 

It was an exhausting, awesome, and eye-opening experience. The client was even fine with us taking some records, but most of them were donated to a local record store. I also got a better grasp of the team mentality at 123JUNK. It really showed that no matter how your day has gone this company and its team has a mentality of always helping and going the extra mile.

– JJ Pedder, Customer Success Representative

Clearing Out A Legendary Boxer’s Home

My most memorable moment so far is probably when I got to go to the legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard’s old house. We were just clearing out some old furniture and kids’ toys when I got to see his boxing room. It had a giant, full wall mirror, a punching bag, a speed bag, and an autographed poster. I was definitely starstruck. 

– TJ Spencer, Customer Success Representative

A Successful Hot Tub Takedown

One of our client representative managers was asked by a client if we could take apart a hot tub attached to an above-ground pool. Take a standard hot tub, and then put another one next to it, and another one next to that. It was essentially all one big piece. When we got there around 11 o’clock in the morning, we were working there for most of the day, having multiple people working saws to cut it up. It’s one of the more memorable success projects that we have had. 

– Paul Atherton, Fleet Dispatch Manager

Local Junk Removal in Washington DC

Join Our Junk Removal Team in Washington DC!

As a locally-owned and operated junk removal company in the Northern VA, MD, and DC area, we are proud to help our community grow through proper waste management support and partnerships with local businesses and charities. Our passionate junk removal team continues to work hard for our customers, keeping them satisfied with the highest quality of service possible. If the above stories piqued your interest, consider learning more about joining our team! Contact our junk removal team today at (800) 362-5778 or fill out our form to schedule a service.

local junk removal in Washington DC Metro area

Moving Soon? What To Do With Your Old Junk

Posted on | by collin

With moving season already underway, you may be overwhelmed with the amount of stuff you have accumulated over the years. But don’t worry, 123JUNK in the Washington DC Metro area is available to help you streamline your move to ensure it’s more enjoyable and less stressful! For years, we have remained committed to thoughtful junk removal and proudly continue our 1-2-3 Process of donating, recycling, and disposing of unwanted items. 

Below we discuss a few tips to help make your decluttering process during your move simple.

5 Tips for Getting Rid of Junk During Your Move

Junk Removal Company in Washington DC
  1. Pack personal items and important documents. Oftentimes when you are planning to sell your home, your realtor will tell you to declutter. Pack your valuable items first and be mindful of what items are truly valuable—legal documents and items that carry sentimental value. 

  2. Separate your items into three categories: Keep, Toss, and Donate. While you could take items in the Donate category to your local donation center, keep in mind that they may not take everything you’re offering. Allow our team to help you save time and effort, and we’ll ensure your items are donated properly.?

  3. For sofas and mattresses, have our team haul it away for you. We protect your home and prevent you from throwing out your back! If your furniture or mattress is still in good condition, we will ensure that we utilize every avenue to donate it to one of our local charity partners.

  4. Ask your friends and family if they would like your items. As this may take some effort on your end, giving away your items to those you trust will help give you peace of mind knowing that they will be put to good use.

  5. If you’re trying to get rid of your moving boxes, try recycling them! However, remember that not all cardboard boxes are recyclable. We understand discarding all your moving boxes takes a lot of effort, but you can trust us to haul it away and deliver it to its respective waste management site. Learn more about recycling cardboard boxes.

  6. Hire our professional junk removal experts. We’ve been in the industry for years and have built an extensive charity partner network that will help us rehome your unwanted items that are still in good condition. We also keep up-to-date with the waste management protocols for Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC to ensure all items are discarded appropriately. We’ll be happy to help you save time, which will allow you to focus on other aspects of your move that are just as important. 

If you are looking for additional information on moving, check our moving tips!

Choose Thoughtful Junk Removal Services in Washington DC Metro Area

Supporting your efforts to get rid of your junk in a responsible manner is our job! Being a local junk removal business in the Washington DC Metro area has allowed us to continue working with other local businesses and growing our community for the better. Our team is ready to help you with unique junk removal solutions that suit your business needs. If you need assistance with your move, we would be happy to refer you to one of our professional organizer partners as well.


Looking for expert junk removal services? Call our junk hauling team at 1-800-364-5778 today!

Green Movement

Growth of the Green Movement in America

Posted on | 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 20th 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.

fridge-pic

You Can’t Throw out a Refrigerator

Posted on | 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.

Related Links:

Refrigerator Recycling and Disposal

Chantilly-day-pic-3

Why “Operation Donation” means we’re not your average Junk Removal Company!

Posted on | by chad
At 123JUNK we want to create a culture where all the employees care about where the junk they haul away ends up. Not only does filling up the landfill harm the environment, but if we dumped everything hauled away, we would be taking thousands of dollars out of the pockets of charities we work with!
 
Preaching the importance of our Core Values may get some folks on board, but it’s really not enough. One fun tool we use to encourage our whole team to live our Core Values to the fullest is a bonus program called OPERATION DONATION. Continue reading →
Appliance Removal

Relaxing and Responsible Refrigerator Removal

Posted on | by chad

What do you do with that refrigerator you no longer want or need on moving day? The default action for most people is to leave the fridge for the next person moving in, but sometimes that is not an option and it must be disposed of some other way. (Note that this article speaks about getting rid of a fridge or freezer for any purpose, whether you are moving or not. Either way, we are ready to assist!)

Continue reading →

123junk-furniture-removal

What to do with that old Couch?

Posted on | by chad

Okay, so you’ve gotten those precious hours of relaxation out of your old couch, for better or worse, and are ready to get rid of or replace it. 123JUNK helps clients find the best method of disposal to suit the specific couch or similar furniture based on the priority theme: Donate, Recycle, Dispose.

If possible, we always strive to donate couches which can be reused. We can evaluate whether or not your couch can be donated to a charity or non-profit company to benefit the less fortunate, protect the environment, and even possibly get you a tax write-off. However, there are requirements for donations, such as having no major stains, pet hair/dander, animal scratches, etc. We are equipped to educate and advise clients about what charities will take. If it qualifies, we will also carefully load the old couch so that no further damage comes to it, ensuring that cushions, pillows, and any other accessories remain together and in optimal shape.

Continue reading →

green-earth

Core Value – Environmental Stewardship

Posted on | by chad

We call ourselves the “greenest junk removal company” in the DC area, period.  It may be a bold claim at its surface, but everyone at 123JUNK stands behind that claim without any hesitation.  The idea is to minimize our footprint on the environment and continually improve our operations so that we’re not wasting anything. We dedicate ourselves daily to protecting and improving the environment in which we all live and work.

Our Donate, Recylce, Dispose Process

It’s right there in our name, 123JUNK.  Our three-step process isn’t drastically different than the processes that a lot of our competitors use, but it has one distinguishing characteristic—it’s in writing.  We have articulated and put to paper our specific process so that everyone in the organization clearly understands that dumping is a last resort.  It’s the refinement of that process that really sets us apart.

Continue reading →