A note from Sean

Removing junk on your own is always going to be the cheapest way to go. At MH&D, my goal is to add ease and speed to the junk removal process, which prices out a lot of customers; they don't need all the fancy add-ons. If that's you, I still want to help! Here are all the money-saving tips I've learned from doing this full time. I'm going to start with universal tips, and then, to save time, I'm going to divide up my tips into the specific junk removal categories that they fall into. Even though MH&D might not be working with you on this job, I want to tell you from the bottom of my heart that I genuinely do appreciate you coming to us, and I hope you'll keep us in mind for your future junk removal needs!

– Sean Merritt, Owner/Operator, Merritt Hauling & Disposal

Universal Tips

All this stuff is gonna matter, regardless of what kind of trash you need to remove. Some of it I've had to learn the hard way. Fortunately, you don't have to.

1. Dumpster bags are a pricing trap.

   Commonly at hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe's, you'll see large canvas bags for sale, typically branded by a large landfill company in the area. They're usually really cheap upfront, but in the fine print, it will say something like “additional pickup fees not included,” and let me tell you, those fees are steep.

2. If any junk falls out of your vehicle, it's your responsibility, and your fault.

   Fortunately, I've never had this happen to me specifically. But as a general rule, whether you run a business or you are just a homeowner getting rid of some junk, anything you're transporting that damages another vehicle, person, or building, the liability for that falls on you. If you're transporting something, especially on a trailer, make sure it's strapped down well. A couple of extra bucks on a cheap tarp can really save you in the long run.

3. Not all dumpsters are created equal.

   If you're renting a dumpster, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of before you swipe your card. First, there are two main types of dumpsters: roll-offs and dump trailers. A roll-off is going to be your best bet if you want your rental to be three days or longer. A dump trailer is going to be your best bet if you're concerned about damage to a driveway or a yard. Roll-offs commonly leave huge gashes in grass or scrapes/cracks in driveways because they're designed for uses where that's not a concern. Some companies out there do a really good job of being careful on your property, but the fact remains that they just aren't meant for delicate use. Dump trailers, on the other hand, are designed for minimal surface impact. Commonly, the downside to these is the fact that extra days are expensive. They're typically rented out with a minimum duration of one day or less, while roll-off dumpsters typically target seven-day rental periods or longer, and some roll-off dumpster companies don't even charge you by how long you use it; they just charge you per pickup.

4. Not all trash is equal.

   This sounds crazy to hear, but it makes sense when you look at what actually goes into handling junk. Waste is divided into four categories: medical waste, household waste, C&D (construction and demolition), and inert matter—this can include dirt or stone depending on who you ask, but typically in this context refers to trees, grass, bushes, and other greenery. Medical waste removal is a specialty class; you can't do that on your own. From there, household waste (furniture, clothing, TVs, food, etc.) is usually the most expensive, and not all landfills take it. Be sure to call in advance before you go! C&D, anything used to make buildings, is considered a bit of an average or benchmark, and inert can be both the most and the least expensive to dispose of, depending on how it's done.

5. Use privately operated landfills, not government landfills.

   I've found government landfills to be roughly twice as expensive as private companies. In the Columbus/Phenix City area, the cheapest is the GFL on Brickyard Road: 1672 Brickyard Rd, Phenix City, AL 36869. Government landfills can also be restrictive. To use the Muscogee County landfill, you either have to be a county resident, or you have to be a business with a job order showing the job address is within Muscogee County.

Inert (Greenery)

1. It is unbelievably expensive to dump inert matter at a landfill.

   Merritt Hauling & Disposal contracts with Bears Branched Out Tree Service, the premier tree service provider in the Columbus/Phenix City area. One of the first loads I ever ran for them, I took to a landfill, and boy, was I surprised to see that price! As odd as it sounds, it's more expensive to dump brush or trees than it is to dump construction debris.

2. Get a small wood chipper.

   I like this idea a lot where it works. If you have a lot of branches to handle, a chipper is one way you could plausibly turn a profit on your work instead of spending. The profit comes from volume, so it fits best if you have a lot of branches. On a new chipper at Tractor Supply, $500–$600 is the going rate. For a used one on Facebook Marketplace, you can find them listed at $200–$300. Not only that, wood chips then become something you can sell. A yard day now becomes a side hustle. Farmers and chicken owners especially like them for their animals.

3. Find farms.

   While dump fees at landfills can be unbelievably high for inert matter, oftentimes a farmer or a landowner with some equipment will allow you to dump the debris on their property for relatively cheap, especially if they already have a brush pile going. A lot of times it can be closer to you as well, since landfills are commonly on the outskirts of cities. Look around on Facebook and you might save a few bucks. Just remember that you'll need to talk with the landowner about what is and isn't permitted on their site.

4. Burn.

   Burning brush is obviously the cheapest way to get rid of it, with the added conditions that you do it safely and legally. Check with your local municipality to make sure you're not breaking any laws, of course. Be sure to follow all local regulations.

Household

1. Turn it into a write-off.

   This one is a bit outside the box, but if you're trying to get rid of household waste, mainly clothing or furniture, and it's still in good shape, the best way to do that is by donating it to a thrift store. Ask for a receipt, and you've got yourself a write-off. Ask a tax professional; it only helps if you itemize.

2. Make sure you're filling in gaps well.

   This gets more important the smaller your transportation solution is. A lot of times with household garbage, where people get caught up is piling in furniture first or last. The best strategy I've found to utilize your space well is to put in a layer of furniture and then fill in the gaps with smaller things like clothing. Then go back with another round of furniture if you have space.

C&D

1. Burn what you can.

   Most farmers and landowners are not gonna want construction debris brought to their property because it'll contaminate usable soil, but in Alabama you can legally burn untreated lumber. Just be sure to check regulations in your area to make sure you're doing it in a safe, legal way.

2. Don't let lumber prop up your load.

   Most C&D isn't super bulky, but boards prop up against piles of trash. That can leave air pockets. Cut up 2x4s and other structural lumber where you can, and slide in sheets of OSB alongside the walls of your container.