What Junk Removal Companies Can and Cannot Take

Junk removal teams can haul away a wide range of items — from old furniture and appliances to yard debris and renovation materials. But certain items require special disposal, and others are illegal for junk removal companies to transport.

Understanding these rules helps you avoid delays, extra fees, or safety risks when booking a junk removal service in Olympia, Centralia, and surrounding Washington communities.

Common Items Junk Removal Companies Can Take

Most everyday household and commercial junk items are completely safe and legal for junk removal teams to haul away. These include:

• Furniture — couches, recliners, bed frames, tables, dressers
• Mattresses & box springs
• Appliances — washers, dryers, stoves, microwaves (non-refrigerated)
• Electronics — TVs, computer towers, monitors, printers
• Construction debris — wood, drywall, flooring, cabinets
• General household junk — clutter, boxes, trash bags
• Garage, shed & attic contents
• Yard debris — branches, brush, logs, leaves, small stumps

If an item is non-hazardous, liftable, and legally disposable at the landfill or transfer station, junk removal crews can almost always take it.

Items Junk Removal Companies Can Take With Restrictions

Some items are allowed, but Washington State regulations require special handling, extra disposal fees, or processing at specific recycling facilities.

• Refrigerators & freezers — refrigerant recovery required
• Air conditioners — coolant extraction required
• Televisions & monitors — certain types require electronics disposal
• Tires — limited quantities allowed per load
• Fluorescent bulbs & tubes — contain mercury
• Large batteries — must be recycled properly
• Water heaters — sometimes require draining before pickup

These items can be picked up by junk removal companies, but they must follow environmental regulations that dictate how these materials are processed.

Items Junk Removal Companies Cannot Take

Certain materials are prohibited by landfill rules, state environmental laws, or federal hazardous-waste regulations. Junk removal companies cannot legally transport or dispose of the following:

• Paint, solvents, and chemical liquids
• Gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, or fuel
• Pesticides, herbicides, or toxic chemicals
• Propane tanks (most sizes require hazmat disposal)
• Asbestos-containing materials
• Medical or biomedical waste
• Explosives, ammunition, or fireworks
• Pressurized or industrial tanks

These items require disposal at designated hazardous-waste facilities — not by junk removal trucks. If you're unsure where an item belongs, 911 Junk Removal can guide you.

Why Junk Removal Companies Must Follow These Rules

Restrictions are not arbitrary — they are designed to protect:

• Landfills — from contamination, chemical reactions, or fires
• Workers — from harmful exposure or unsafe handling
• Groundwater — preventing hazardous seepage into soil
• Air quality — reducing toxic vapor release

Responsible junk removal companies comply with these rules to keep customers and the community safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can junk removal companies take everything?

No. Junk removal companies can take most household, commercial, and yard items — but cannot legally transport hazardous materials such as chemicals, fuels, asbestos, or medical waste.

Why are some items restricted or prohibited?

Washington State landfill and environmental regulations prohibit certain materials to protect workers, soil, water, and air quality. These rules determine what junk removal companies can safely haul.

How do I dispose of hazardous or restricted items?

Items like paint, fuels, chemicals, and propane tanks must be taken to designated hazardous-waste facilities. 911 Junk Removal can help you determine the correct location for each material.