Get matched with top waste removal pros in Ethan, SD

Cardboard is one of the easiest leftover packing materials to upcycle, as you can cut it and glue it to create crafts, drawer organizers, weed blockers for your garden, templates for woodworking, and more—your creativity is your only limitation. Plastic is best for crafts, but depending on the shape, you can use plastic components as indoor planters, organizational baskets, and more. Rubber bands are great for creating grips for jar or bottle lids, preventing clothes from falling off of hangers, or creating a grip for screws in damaged wood.

The most affordable way to get rid of junk often involves a do-it-yourself approach, especially if you don't have a large amount of debris. Start by sorting your items into categories: donate, recycle, sell, or trash.

• Donate or Sell: Usable goods can be donated to local charities. You can also list items for free or for a low price on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

• Use Municipal Services: Your city's regular garbage collection or bulk pickup days can be the cheapest option. However, be sure to check community guidelines for quantity limits and accepted materials. You can also take recyclables to a city drop-off center.

• Haul it Yourself: If you have a truck or suitable vehicle, loading the junk and taking it to a local transfer station, public dump, or waste disposal facility is a very cost-effective method.

If a DIY approach isn't possible, consider these options:

• Rent a Dumpster: You can rent a dumpster, fill it yourself, and the rental company will haul it away. This is a good middle-ground if you can do the labor but don't have a vehicle for transport.

• Hire a Junk Removal Service: While typically the most expensive choice, hiring a professional junk removal team is the most time-efficient and requires the least effort from you. This is a good solution if your city's services won't accept the items or if you are unable to move them yourself.

Services typically take 1-3 hours, depending on the volume and site accessibility.

Junk removal usually includes removing unwanted items from your property, loading it into a dumpster or a truck, and then carting the junk off of your property to be disposed of at a dump site. In most cases, your dumping fees—charged by the dump site—are included in your estimate, but you might want to confirm this expense with your junk removal team. Some junk removal companies offer additional services, like a deep clean after junk removal and moving and packing services, in case you’re getting rid of garbage as part of your relocation efforts.