What a Junk Removal Crew Can and Cannot Take

If you live in Rancho Palos Verdes and you are looking at a garage, a side yard or a spare room that has filled up over the years, the first question is usually not the price. It is whether a crew will even take what you have.

Most of it can go. A short list cannot, and knowing which is which before you book saves a wasted trip and an awkward conversation on the driveway.

The short answer

A general junk removal crew will take almost anything two people can carry and that is legal to put in a truck. The things it cannot take are not a matter of preference. They are controlled by disposal law and have to go to a facility set up to handle them.

In practice your pile splits into three groups: things that go on the truck without a second thought, things that can go but need special handling, and things no general hauler can take at all.

What usually goes on the truck

This is the bulk of most jobs, and it is what household junk removal is built around:

• Furniture: sofas, beds, dressers, tables, desks and chairs
• Mattresses and box springs
• Appliances such as washers, dryers, stoves, fridges and freezers
• Boxes, clothing, toys and general household clutter
• Garage and attic contents: shelving, old tools, sports gear and exercise equipment
• Yard waste such as branches, brush and clippings, plus old outdoor furniture
• Remodel debris such as drywall, wood, cabinets and tile

If you can point at it and two people can lift it, it is usually fine. If you are not sure, send a photo and ask. It is a thirty-second answer.

What can go, but needs special handling

Some items are allowed but cannot simply be thrown in with everything else. They have to be kept separate and sent to the right place, which is why a crew wants to hear about them in advance.

Fridges, freezers and air conditioners. These hold refrigerant, which is regulated. They should come out upright and go to a facility that can recover the refrigerant properly. Mention them when you book appliance removal.

Electronics. In California, televisions, computers, monitors and most other electronics cannot legally go in with general waste. They go to an e-waste recycler. If a computer, phone or drive holds anything personal, pull the drive or wipe it before it leaves your hands. That is the safest answer wherever it goes.

Tires. Tires are refused by general waste, and the disposal fee is real. Some crews take them and pass that fee on, others do not take them at all. Ask first.

Concrete, dirt and tile. These are heavy for their size. Concrete is often fine within weight limits, and dirt usually only in limited amounts. Say exactly what you have when you call, because heavy material is a different job from the same pile of boxes.

Household batteries and fluorescent tubes. In California these are treated as universal waste and are not supposed to go in the trash. Keep them out of the general pile and take them to a drop-off point that accepts them.

What no general crew can take

These are refused by every general hauler, not just one company. They are governed by disposal law and go to a household hazardous waste drop-off instead:

• Paint and solvents
• Motor oil and fuel, including gas left in mowers and generators
• Pesticides, pool chemicals and other chemicals
• Propane tanks
• Car batteries
• Asbestos
• Medical waste, including used needles

Asbestos is the one that catches homeowners out. It can turn up in older flooring, ceiling texture, pipe wrap and some siding. If a remodel has disturbed material you are unsure about, stop and have it tested. Removing it is a job for a licensed abatement contractor, not a hauling crew.

Pull these out of the pile before the crew arrives and everything else can go on the truck.

Where the hazardous items go

Los Angeles County runs household hazardous waste and e-waste drop-off sites and collection events for residents. Locations, dates and what each one accepts change, so check the county's own page, or ask the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, before you load the car.

Keep products in their original containers with the lids on, and never pour anything down a drain, into a storm drain or onto the ground.

Getting ready for the crew in Rancho Palos Verdes

A few small steps make the day go smoothly, especially on the Peninsula:

• Set the hazardous items aside, well away from the pile, so nothing gets loaded by mistake.
• Tell the crew about anything heavy, anything with refrigerant and any tires.
• Mention the driveway. Steep driveways and narrow streets are common here, so agree where the truck can park before the day.
• Brush from a hillside cutback can be bagged or piled wherever is easiest.
• Flatten boxes and stack things tightly. You are paying for room on the truck, so it is the one bit of prep worth doing.
• Check with your city before putting anything at the curb. Bulky item and green waste rules are set locally.

For more on how jobs run here, see our Rancho Palos Verdes service page.

Frequently asked questions

Will a crew take a half-used can of paint?

No. Paint and solvents are on the list no general hauler can take. They go to a household hazardous waste drop-off. Check with your city or the county for where and when.

Do I need to drag everything to the curb first?

No. A full-service crew comes to wherever the items are and carries them out. Stairs and long carries affect the price, so mention them when you book.

Can a crew take a fridge that still has food in it?

Empty it first. Food and liquids make a mess on the truck and in the house. The fridge itself can go, but it should be moved upright because of the refrigerant and compressor oil inside.

Does my city pick up bulky items?

Many cities offer some form of bulky item collection, but the limits, rules and schedules are set locally and they change. Check with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes or your trash hauler for the current details.

I am not sure about one item. What should I do?

Ask before you book, not after the crew arrives. A photo is usually enough to get a straight answer.