How To Prep Your Recyclables Before Junk Removal (And What Happens Next)

Last week, our crew arrived at a job where the client had already bagged every bottle, can, milk carton, and juice container, all empty, all in bags, all ready to go.

That one bit of prep made the whole day smoother. We loaded a full truckload of recyclables in minutes and took them straight to the Return-It Depot.

Here's how you can do the same on your job, and what we do with it all afterward.

Why prepping your recyclables helps

When recyclables are already bagged and separated from the trash, our crew can load them straight onto the truck. When they're mixed in with everything else, someone has to stop and sort them; either on-site or at our yard, and that takes time.

Prepping ahead means:

What to bag

Most refundable beverage containers can go in garbage bags, which we’ll happily take to the Return-It or Recycling Depot for you:

Tips for bagging:

1. Keep the bags to recyclables only. A bag with trash in it can't go straight to the depot.

2. Empty the containers. A quick rinse is all it takes. They don't need to be spotless.

3. Leave the labels on. There's no need to peel anything.

4. You don't have to separate by type. One bag can hold cans, glass, and cartons together.

5. Use sturdy bags, and don't overfill them. Glass is heavy.