1-800-Got-Junk?

The Register-Guard of Oregon has a story about competition for junk that can help those who are poor.One person’s trash is another’s treasure for enterprising junk haulers

By Susan Palmer
The Register-Guard

Published: Sunday, September 18, 2005

Call it junk creep: Old furniture, clothing, that woodworking project you thought you’d tackle five years ago, the busted lawn mower that costs too much to fix.

Some people have yard sales or haul things to second-hand stores. Other people make dump runs.
Most of us sit around wishing it would all magically disappear.

Smart entrepreneurs have figured this out. For a fee, they’ll come in and take away all the stuff you no longer want.

In Eugene, Michael Archambault and Lisa Trecroce started Junk Be Gone last November, with a big truck painted a striking blue and green and their logo and phone number on the side.

They face competition from the fast growing international franchise 1-800-Got-Junk? which began operating in Eugene in May.

“It’s a service that a lot of people don’t know exists,” said Ken Gotlib, who owns the Eugene and Salem 1-800-Got-Junk? franchises.
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1-800-Got-Junk? began rather modestly in Vancouver, B.C., in 1989 as Rubbish Boys, and built a business that went nationwide, helped in part by a fortuitous appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s show.

These haulers don’t just pick stuff up and take it to the landfill. They separate out material, such as lumber that is recyclable and furniture that can be reused. Construction material goes to Bring Recycling. Furniture, appliances, clothes and other still-usable items go to charities such as Goodwill and St. Vincent de Paul.

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