By Southside Junk Removal
Before you call for a pickup, it's reasonable to want to know what goes and what doesn't. Most junk removal companies can take more than people expect. The short answer: furniture, appliances, electronics, yard waste, construction debris, and general household clutter are all fair game. The things we legally can't take are a much shorter list than most people assume.
Here's the full breakdown.
What we definitely take
Furniture. Sofas, sectionals, recliners, chairs, tables, dressers, bed frames, nightstands, entertainment centers, desks, bookshelves. Condition doesn't matter. A sofa with a broken leg still needs to leave the property, and that's what we're here for.
Appliances. Refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, ranges, microwaves, water heaters, window AC units. We handle the heavy lifting and responsible disposal. Freon-containing appliances like refrigerators and AC units require special handling, which we account for in our process.
Electronics. TVs, computer monitors, desktop computers, laptops, printers, scanners, fax machines, stereos, gaming consoles. We route electronics to certified e-waste recyclers. None of it goes into a general landfill if we can help it.
Mattresses and box springs. These are bulky and awkward but very much in our scope. Mattress disposal has specific regulations in Georgia, and we handle the paperwork and disposal properly.
Yard debris. Branches, brush, bagged leaves, old lumber, broken fencing. Post-storm debris cleanup is one of our most common calls in metro Atlanta.
General household clutter. Boxes of old clothes, bags of miscellaneous junk, toys, sports equipment, holiday decorations, books, dishes, small appliances. If it came from inside or around your home and it's not hazardous, we can take it.
Exercise equipment. Treadmills, weight benches, free weights, stationary bikes. These are heavy. That's exactly why people call us.
Office furniture and equipment. Cubicle panels, filing cabinets, office chairs, conference tables, printers. This applies to both residential home offices and commercial office cleanouts.
Construction debris. Drywall scraps, lumber, flooring, roofing shingles, broken tile, concrete in manageable pieces. For large-scale construction jobs, see our notes on sizing below.
What we handle with special care
A few categories require extra steps, either because of disposal regulations or because the materials are handled differently.
Tires. Georgia has specific regulations about tire disposal. We take tires, but there's typically a small additional fee per tire to cover proper disposal. We'll let you know the cost upfront.
Electronics (e-waste). All electronics are sorted for responsible recycling. Certified e-waste facilities handle the materials inside screens, circuit boards, and batteries. It's not complicated on your end: just set them aside and we'll take them.
Refrigerants. Appliances with refrigerants, like refrigerators, window AC units, and dehumidifiers, require that the refrigerant be removed before disposal per EPA regulations. We factor this into our process.
Large quantities of heavy materials. Dense materials like concrete, bricks, dirt, and gravel take up relatively little space but weigh a lot. Very large quantities may affect pricing. Tell us what you have when you call and we'll give you an honest quote.
What we can't take
This is the short list. These items require licensed hazardous waste haulers or dedicated disposal programs that fall outside of standard junk removal.
Liquid chemicals and paint. Full cans of paint, paint thinner, solvents, and industrial chemicals cannot go into a standard junk hauler's truck. Georgia has specific regulations for liquid hazardous waste. Clayton County offers periodic hazardous waste collection events where residents can drop off paint and chemicals at no charge.
Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. The same rule applies to chemical lawn and garden products. If they're liquid and chemical-based, they need a hazardous waste program, not a junk removal truck.
Asbestos-containing materials. Older homes, particularly those built before 1980, may have asbestos in floor tiles, ceiling tiles, insulation, or around pipes. Asbestos removal requires a licensed abatement contractor. We will not take materials that contain or are suspected to contain asbestos.
Biohazardous waste. Medical waste, blood, sharps, and similar materials require licensed biohazard remediation. This is not part of our scope under any circumstances.
Propane tanks. Full or partially full propane tanks require specific handling. Many hardware stores and gas stations offer exchange or disposal programs.
When you're not sure
Call us at (404) 558-6493 and describe what you have. We'll tell you honestly whether we can take it, whether it needs special handling, or whether we need to point you toward a different resource. We'd rather take five minutes on the phone and set realistic expectations than show up and have to leave something behind.
Most people are surprised by how much we can take. The "can't take" list is genuinely short. For a full view of our residential junk removal services and specialty item pickup, browse what we do on the services page.
Frequently asked questions
Do junk removal companies take mattresses?
Yes. Southside Junk Removal takes mattresses and box springs. Mattress disposal has regulations in Georgia, and we handle all of that properly. Just include it in your load and we'll sort it out.
Can junk removal companies take old paint?
No. Liquid paint, paint thinner, and similar chemicals are considered hazardous waste and require a dedicated disposal program. Many Georgia counties run free hazardous waste drop-off events throughout the year. We'll point you to the right resource if you ask.
Do you take TVs and electronics?
Yes. Electronics, including flat-screen TVs, are one of the most common items we remove. We route all electronics to certified e-waste recyclers. There may be a small additional fee for freon-containing appliances.