What Junk Removal Companies Can't Take (and What to Do With It)

Junk removal companies take almost everything in a house: furniture, appliances, mattresses, electronics, boxes, yard waste and construction debris. But a short list of items cannot go in the truck because they are hazardous to the crew, the truck or the facility that receives them. Knowing the list ahead of time makes your pickup smoother.

Items that usually cannot be hauled

• Paint and stains: wet latex and oil-based paint, stains and varnish. (Fully dried latex paint is often accepted, ask first.)
• Solvents and fuels: gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner and lighter fluid.
• Automotive fluids: motor oil, antifreeze and brake fluid.
• Pressurized tanks: propane tanks, helium tanks and oxygen cylinders.
• Chemicals: pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals and strong cleaners.
• Batteries: car batteries and large lithium batteries.
• Medical waste: needles, sharps and medications.
• Asbestos and lead: suspected asbestos materials and lead paint debris need licensed abatement.

Where these items go in metro Atlanta

Most counties and cities in the Atlanta area run household hazardous waste collection, either through a drop-off facility or periodic collection events. The details differ between Atlanta, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb and Gwinnett, so check your city or county's solid waste or sanitation website for current dates and accepted items.

A few other options:

• Car batteries and motor oil: many auto parts stores accept used batteries and oil for recycling.
• Propane tanks: tank exchange locations and propane dealers often take old cylinders.
• Medications: many pharmacies and police departments have take-back boxes.
• Sharps: ask your pharmacy or doctor about approved sharps disposal.

What about items that are "hazardous-ish"?

Some items are fine to haul once they are prepared:

• Lawn mowers and pressure washers: drain the gas and oil first.
• Grills: remove the propane tank.
• Refrigerators and freezers: fine to haul, they go where the refrigerant can be handled.
• Electronics: fine to haul. Wipe or remove hard drives for your own privacy.

What we do when we find something

If our crew finds an item we cannot take during a garage cleanout or estate cleanout, we set it aside and let you know, so you can drop it at the right place. Not sure about something? Call (470) 456-2357 and ask before your pickup.

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