What Happens to Your Junk After We Pick It Up?
Ever wonder where your old stuff goes? Here is the behind-the-scenes look at how we handle junk removal in Boise—from donations to recycling to disposal.
What Happens to Your Junk After We Pick It Up?
When we drive away with your old couch, broken appliances, and random stuff—where does it all go?
It's a fair question. And the answer isn't "straight to the landfill." Here's what actually happens.
Step 1: Sorting at Our Facility
After a pickup, everything gets sorted. This is where the magic happens—well, not magic exactly, but definitely effort.
We separate items into categories:
This process takes time, but it's worth it. We divert roughly 60-70% of what we pick up away from the landfill.
Donations: Where Usable Items Go
Working items find new homes. In Boise, we partner with:
Idaho Youth Ranch: Furniture, household items, clothing. They run thrift stores and use proceeds to help at-risk youth.
Goodwill: Electronics, small appliances, housewares. They provide job training programs in addition to retail.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Building materials, cabinets, fixtures, tools. These go to home renovation and construction.
Salvation Army: Furniture, appliances, general household goods.
Not everything qualifies for donation. Items need to be clean, functional, and safe. A couch with pet stains? That's not going to a donation center. A couch that's just outdated? Absolutely.
Recycling: Metals, Electronics, and More
Idaho actually has decent recycling infrastructure. We work with local facilities for:
Scrap metal: Refrigerators, appliances, car parts, bed frames, and anything metal goes to scrap yards. The metal gets melted down and reused.
Electronics (e-waste): Computers, TVs, monitors, and electronics contain valuable materials—and some hazardous ones. Certified e-waste recyclers safely extract components and properly dispose of the rest.
Cardboard and paper: This is straightforward. Local recycling facilities process cardboard for reuse.
Mattresses: Some mattresses can be recycled. The metal springs, foam, and fabric get separated and processed individually.
What About the Landfill?
Yes, some stuff does end up at the Ada County Landfill. We're honest about that.
But it's the stuff that truly can't be reused or recycled:
Our goal is to minimize this. Every item we divert from the landfill is a win—for the environment and for our community.
The Environmental Impact
According to the EPA, the average American generates about 4.5 pounds of waste per day. A lot of that ends up in landfills when it doesn't need to.
By properly sorting and donating, junk removal companies like ours can significantly reduce landfill contributions. It takes more effort than just dumping everything, but it's the right thing to do.
Questions About Specific Items?
Wondering if something can be donated or recycled? Ask us. Call (208) 593-2877 or mention it when you schedule. We're happy to explain where your specific items will end up.
Schedule your junk removal with a company that cares about where things go.
Need Help With Junk Removal?
Top Shelf serves Boise and the Treasure Valley with professional junk removal, cleanouts, and demolition services.
Call (208) 593-2877
