What Do Junk Removal Companies Take? The Complete List

You have a pile of stuff you need gone. Maybe it is a garage full of forgotten boxes, an old refrigerator that has been sitting on the porch, or the aftermath of a remodel. Before you call a junk removal company, you want to know: will they actually take all of this?

The short answer is that professional junk removal services accept the vast majority of household items. But there are important exceptions, especially in Oregon where the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has specific rules about certain materials. This guide gives you the complete breakdown.

Items Junk Removal Companies Accept

Here is the comprehensive list, organized by category. If your item is on this list, a professional junk removal company like Otesse will happily haul it away.

Furniture

• Couches, sofas, loveseats, sectionals
• Mattresses, box springs, bed frames (all sizes)
• Recliners, armchairs, ottomans
• Dining tables, kitchen tables, desks
• Chairs (dining, office, folding)
• Dressers, nightstands, wardrobes, armoires
• Bookshelves, entertainment centers, TV stands
• Patio furniture (tables, chairs, umbrellas)
• Futons, daybeds, Murphy beds
• Baby cribs, changing tables, high chairs
• Filing cabinets, cubicle panels, office furniture

Furniture is the most commonly removed item category. Whether it is a single couch or an entire house worth of furnishings during an estate cleanout, removal crews handle it all. Items in decent condition are typically donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore or St. Vincent de Paul here in Oregon.

Appliances

• Refrigerators and freezers (including those with Freon — properly handled)
• Washers and dryers
• Dishwashers
• Ovens, stoves, ranges
• Microwaves
• Water heaters (gas and electric)
• Air conditioners and window units
• Dehumidifiers, humidifiers
• Space heaters
• Garbage disposals
• Small appliances (toasters, blenders, coffee makers)

Appliances containing refrigerants require special handling under EPA Section 608 regulations. A legitimate junk removal company will ensure Freon is properly recovered before the unit is recycled for scrap metal. Never let anyone simply dump a refrigerator or AC unit — it is illegal and harmful to the ozone layer.

Electronics and E-Waste

• Televisions (CRT, LCD, LED, plasma — all types)
• Computers (desktops, laptops, monitors)
• Printers, scanners, fax machines
• Stereo systems, speakers, receivers
• DVD and Blu-ray players
• Gaming consoles
• Old phones, tablets, chargers
• Cables, cords, and wiring
• Computer peripherals (keyboards, mice, routers)

Oregon's Electronics Recycling Law requires manufacturers to provide free recycling for covered devices. Metro area residents can use Oregon E-Cycles drop-off locations at no charge. However, if electronics are mixed in with a larger junk removal load, your removal company will handle the e-waste sorting and ensure proper recycling.

Yard Waste and Outdoor Items

• Branches, brush, and tree limbs
• Grass clippings and leaves (bagged)
• Soil and sod
• Fencing (wood and chain link)
• Decking and lumber
• Hot tubs and spas (disassembly included by most companies)
• Swing sets and play structures
• Sheds (small, requiring disassembly)
• Lawn mowers and yard equipment (drained of fuel)
• Garden pots, planters, and landscaping stones

Oregon's transfer stations typically charge lower tipping fees for clean green waste than for mixed solid waste. A good junk removal company will separate your yard waste from other debris to keep disposal costs — and your bill — lower.

Construction and Renovation Debris

• Drywall and sheetrock
• Lumber, plywood, and wood scraps
• Tile, brick, and concrete (in moderate quantities)
• Carpet and carpet padding
• Vinyl and laminate flooring
• Cabinets, countertops, and vanities
• Windows, doors, and frames
• Roofing materials (shingles)
• Insulation (non-asbestos)
• Plumbing fixtures (sinks, toilets, tubs)

Construction debris is common during Portland home renovations and kitchen remodels across the valley. Note that concrete and heavy masonry may incur weight surcharges. If you are doing major construction, a dumpster rental might be more cost-effective for ongoing debris.

General Household Junk

• Clothing, shoes, and textiles
• Books, magazines, and newspapers
• Toys and games
• Sporting equipment (bikes, treadmills, weight benches)
• Luggage and bags
• Holiday decorations
• Kitchenware (pots, pans, dishes)
• Boxes, packing materials
• Old tools and hardware
• Musical instruments
• Rugs and mats

Miscellaneous Items

• Tires (without rims, typically 4-tire limit per visit)
• Car batteries (recycled for lead and acid recovery)
• Scrap metal
• Pianos (upright and grand — may incur additional fee)
• Safes (may incur additional fee for extreme weight)
• Pool tables (disassembly usually required)

Items NOT Accepted by Junk Removal Companies

There are certain items that junk removal companies cannot or will not take. This is not about being difficult — it is about safety, legality, and environmental protection. Oregon's DEQ and federal EPA regulations prohibit certain materials from standard waste streams.

Hazardous Materials

• Paints, stains, and solvents — Latex paint can be dried out and disposed of in regular trash, but oil-based paints, stains, and solvents require hazardous waste disposal
• Chemicals and cleaners — Pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, and concentrated cleaning products
• Motor oil, gasoline, and automotive fluids — These must go to designated collection points. Many Oregon auto parts stores accept used motor oil for free.
• Propane tanks — Full or partially full propane tanks are a fire and explosion hazard. Empty tanks can sometimes be accepted.
• Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs — Contain mercury. Oregon requires special recycling — most hardware stores accept them for free.

Biohazardous and Medical Waste

• Medical waste — Needles, syringes, sharps containers, and biomedical waste require specialized disposal
• Bodily fluids or contaminated materials — Require biohazard remediation, not standard junk removal
• Animal remains — Contact your local animal control or veterinary office

Asbestos-Containing Materials

Asbestos was common in Oregon homes built before 1980. It can be found in:

• Floor tiles and adhesives
• Pipe insulation
• Popcorn ceilings (textured ceilings)
• Some roofing and siding materials

Oregon DEQ requires that asbestos materials be tested, removed by licensed abatement contractors, and disposed of at approved facilities. Never break, crumble, or disturb suspected asbestos materials. If you are unsure whether something contains asbestos, have it tested before calling for junk removal.

Other Restricted Items

• Ammunition, firearms, and explosives — Contact local law enforcement for safe disposal
• Radioactive materials — Extremely rare in households, but includes some old smoke detectors and certain antiques
• Uncontained liquids — Large quantities of any liquid pose a spill risk during transport

Where to Take Restricted Items in Oregon

For items that junk removal companies cannot accept, Oregon has good options:

• Metro Hazardous Waste Facilities (Portland area) — Accept paint, chemicals, pesticides, and other household hazardous waste from Metro area residents at no charge
• Lane County Hazardous Waste (Eugene area) — Operates collection events and a permanent facility for household hazardous waste
• Marion County Environmental Services (Salem area) — Provides hazardous waste collection for county residents
• Local pharmacy take-back programs — Many Oregon pharmacies accept unused medications
• DEQ-licensed asbestos contractors — Search Oregon DEQ's contractor database for licensed professionals

Oregon-Specific Disposal Rules You Should Know

Oregon Bottle Bill

Oregon's Bottle Bill is one of the oldest and most comprehensive in the nation. Beverage containers (cans, bottles, plastic) with the Oregon redemption label carry a 10-cent deposit. Before your junk removal appointment, pull out any returnable containers. BottleDrop locations across the I-5 corridor make it easy to redeem them, and the money adds up quickly.

Oregon DEQ E-Waste Requirements

Oregon requires manufacturers to fund free recycling of covered electronic devices including TVs, computers, and monitors. E-Cycles drop-off sites are available throughout the state. While junk removal companies will handle e-waste as part of a larger load, you can also drop off electronics for free at participating retailers.

Oregon Mattress Recycling

Oregon does not yet have a mattress recycling law like some states, but many junk removal companies and transfer stations work with mattress recyclers to divert materials from landfills. Steel springs, foam, wood, and fabric can all be recycled.

Tire Disposal

Oregon DEQ regulates tire disposal. Tires cannot be placed in regular landfills and must go to authorized tire recycling facilities. Most junk removal companies will take a reasonable number of tires (typically up to 4 per visit) and handle proper disposal.

What Happens to Your Items After Pickup

A responsible junk removal company does not just dump everything in a landfill. Here is the typical breakdown of where your items end up:

Donated (20-30%)

Usable items in good condition go to local charities. In Oregon, the primary donation partners include:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Portland (multiple locations) and Eugene locations accept furniture, appliances, cabinets, doors, and building materials
• St. Vincent de Paul — Operates throughout the Willamette Valley with stores in Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Albany, Salem, and Portland
• Goodwill Industries — Drop-off locations in nearly every Oregon city accept clothing, household items, and small electronics
• BRING Recycling (Eugene) — Accepts building materials, reusable goods, and hard-to-recycle items

Recycled (30-40%)

Materials that cannot be donated but can be recycled include:

• Metals — Appliances, scrap metal, and car batteries go to metal recyclers
• Electronics — Processed through certified e-waste recycling facilities
• Cardboard and paper — Baled and sent to paper recyclers
• Wood and lumber — Chipped for biomass fuel or mulch
• Concrete and masonry — Crushed for road base and fill material
• Green waste — Composted at facilities like Nature's Needs in Portland or Rexius in Eugene

Landfilled (30-40%)

Items that truly cannot be donated or recycled go to licensed Oregon landfills. At Otesse, we work hard to keep this percentage as low as possible. Our goal is to divert at least 60% of everything we pick up away from landfills through donation and recycling partnerships.

How to Prepare for Your Junk Removal Pickup

Want to make your pickup go smoothly and potentially save money? Here is how to prepare:

1. Pull out returnables — Redeem Oregon Bottle Bill containers at BottleDrop before your appointment
2. Separate donations — If you want to donate items directly and get a tax receipt, drop them off before your pickup to reduce your load volume
3. Drain fuel from equipment — Lawn mowers, chainsaws, and gas-powered equipment should be drained before removal
4. Clear a path — Make sure the crew can easily access your items and reach their truck
5. Consolidate when possible — Moving items to an accessible area (garage, driveway) saves time and may reduce your price
6. Flag hazardous items — If you are not sure whether something is accepted, ask during your quote so there are no surprises on pickup day