What Items Can a Junk Removal Company Take—and What Can’t They Take?

Jan 13

One of the most common questions we hear at Ditch It Junk Removal is:

“What items can a junk removal company take—and what can’t they take?”

The short answer?
👉 Just about everything.

That said, there are a few important exceptions. Let’s break it down clearly so you know exactly what we can haul away, what may cost extra, and what needs special handling.

What We Can Take (Which Is Almost Everything)

At Ditch It, we remove nearly all non-hazardous items from homes and businesses throughout the Bay Area.

Common Household Items We Remove

Furniture (couches, chairs, tables, dressers)
Mattresses and box springs
Beds and bedroom sets
Kitchen and bathroom items
Garage clutter
Yard waste and green waste

👉 Fun fact: The most common residential item we remove is mattresses.

Commercial Junk We Remove

Office desks and chairs
Cubicles
Filing cabinets
Office cleanouts

👉 On the commercial side, desks and chairs are the most common items we haul away.

Items We Accept (But May Have Additional Fees)

Some items require special handling, recycling, or disposal, which means they come with extra fees. This isn’t about profit — it’s about compliance and responsible disposal.

These include:

Mattresses and box springs
TVs and monitors
Appliances (microwaves, stoves, washers, dryers)
Refrigerators, freezers, and anything with Freon
Tires
Pressure-treated wood

In most cases, we’re happy to take these — we just explain the cost upfront so there are no surprises.

Items That Are Sometimes Accepted (Case by Case)

There are a few items we can usually take, but condition matters.

Mattresses with Bed Bugs or Heavy Staining

We generally can remove them, but:

They often require special handling
Disposal fees are higher
Pricing reflects the extra work and restrictions

We always explain the situation clearly before moving forward.

Items We Cannot Take (For Safety & Legal Reasons)

The main things we cannot remove are:

Hazardous waste
Chemicals
Unmarked liquids
Fuel or gasoline
Other regulated hazardous materials

This isn’t a company rule — it’s a safety and legal issue. Transporting hazardous materials can put our crew, our trucks, and the public at risk.

Real-World Example: When We Had to Say No

One time, a customer had five old gas tanks they wanted removed. Although the tanks looked empty, we could smell old fuel inside.

Because we cannot legally or safely transport fuel, we explained the issue and:

Removed everything else on the job
Helped guide the customer toward proper disposal options

Safety always comes first.

Why Disposal Rules Matter (More Than People Realize)

Every landfill, transfer station, and recycling center in the Bay Area has different rules and fees.

Some facilities accept certain items — others don’t
One location may charge 3x more than another
Some items are free to drop off at one site and expensive at another

In many jobs, we have to make multiple stops to properly dispose of everything.

👉 Junk removal isn’t just “taking it to the dump” — it’s knowing where everything goes.

Case Study: 92% Donation & Repurposing Success

One of our proudest moments was a six-truck office cleanout in Pleasanton, CA.

Instead of dumping everything:

92% of the items were donated or repurposed
Furniture went to schools in San Jose
Some items went to startups that couldn’t afford office furniture
Other pieces went to a local party rental company

That day, we didn’t just clear space — we helped multiple organizations at once.

What We Do When We Can’t Take Something

If we can’t haul something away, we don’t leave you stuck.

We:

Research local hazardous waste agencies
Point you to the correct drop-off locations
Help you find the safest, legal disposal options

Our goal is to help you get everything handled, even if we’re not the ones hauling it.

The Biggest Junk Removal Misconception

A lot of people think junk removal means:

“Throw it in the truck and take it to the dump.”

The truth?

Metal and appliances often go to recycling centers
Furniture can be donated
Electronics are processed as e-waste
Antiques and usable items can be repurposed or given away

👉 One person’s trash really is another person’s treasure.

Final Thoughts

At Ditch It Junk Removal, we take pride in removing almost everything — responsibly, legally, and thoughtfully.

If you’re ever unsure about an item, just ask. Chances are, we’ve dealt with it before — and we’ll tell you exactly what can be done.

Services we offer!

Ditch It