One of the most common questions we get before a cleanout is, "Can you take everything?" The honest answer is almost everything. Furniture, appliances, mattresses, electronics, yard debris, remodeling scraps and general clutter all go on the truck. But there's a short list of items that no junk removal company should be hauling with the rest of your load.
The big category is household hazardous waste. That includes paint and paint thinner, motor oil and antifreeze, pool chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, solvents and strong cleaners. These can leak, react with each other, or catch fire, and they aren't allowed in regular landfill loads.
Pressurized and flammable containers are next: propane tanks, butane and camping fuel canisters, and gasoline cans that still have fuel in them. An empty, dry gas can is one thing — a half-full one is not something we'll put in a truck bed with a pile of old furniture.
Asbestos is a separate issue. It shows up in older popcorn ceilings, some pipe insulation, and old flooring tiles. If you're tearing out material from a house built before the 1980s and aren't sure what it is, get it tested before anyone disturbs it. Asbestos removal is a job for licensed abatement specialists.
Medical waste, including needles and sharps, also can't go with general junk. Most pharmacies and health departments can point you to a sharps drop-off.
So where does all of that go? Contra Costa County residents have access to household hazardous waste collection — in East County, Delta Diablo runs a household hazardous waste facility in Antioch. Check their website for current hours and the list of accepted items before you load up the car.
A few items are easier than people expect. Old TVs and computers are e-waste, but they can usually go with your load. Refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers are fine too. Tires depend on the job, so mention them when you ask for a quote.
The simplest approach: before we arrive, group anything liquid, pressurized or chemical in one spot and mention it when you ask for your quote. We'll tell you exactly what we can take and what needs to go elsewhere.
Planning a cleanout? Call or text Santana Junk Removal at (925) 567-5780 with a few photos. We serve Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley, Bay Point, Concord, Walnut Creek, Orinda and Rio Vista.