IN THE PRESS

Junk-Disposal Companies Cleaning Up

By Jennifer Heldt Powell
Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Leon Gelfand considers himself to be part psychologist and part junk-removal expert.

When he leaves, he hopes you’ll not only have more room but also feel good about having gotten rid of the garbage. It’s not easy, he said, to let go of things collected over years.

"We’re dealing with a lot of personal stuff," said the owner of 888-JUNK OUT®. "So we try to be very comforting."

Gelfand is part of a growing industry dedicated to helping people clean up and move on with their lives. The junk-removal business, once dominated by one-truck operations, is increasingly becoming a professional service with uniforms, Web sites and catchy phone numbers.

Jobs range from picking up a few items to clearing out entire homes. The companies also serve businesses that have a constant need to get rid of bulky items.

Junk removers often pledge to recycle or donate what they can, but for the most part they’re coming in after anything of value has been removed.

The price ranges from about $100 to get rid of one or two items to several hundred dollars to clear out entire offices or houses.

The industry is getting a boost from shows like "Clean Sweep" and "Mission Organization," which show the potential for radical transformations when people get rid of their junk.

"These TV shows make people aware that clutter is no good," Gelfand said. "You can utilize your space much better for something you enjoy."

Gelfand, who started just over two years ago, has 12 employees and plans to add more.