Items We Can’t Handle

A small number of items fall outside what we can safely collect.

This isn’t us being awkward.

It’s about protecting our crew, the environment, and the waste facilities we work with.

Before every job we’ll confirm exactly what needs to go, so there are never any surprises on the day.

But to save you time, here’s what we can’t take and how to deal with it safely.

Hazardous Materials We Can’t Accept

Paint

Paint and flammable liquids are simply too dangerous for our team to handle in their vehicles.

But that doesn’t mean it will be left unused in your garage forever.

If you have leftover paint, you can mix it with sand, sawdust, or cat litter to leave it to dry it out and harden.

Most household recycling centres will accept it as fully dried and solidified.

Glasgow residents can drop this off at any of the city’s Household Waste Recycling centres, and Edinburgh residents can book their visit to one of the three centres in the city.

Alternatively, if you live in Glasgow and your paint is in good condition, you can donate it to Community Repaint. This initiative collects leftover paint to redistribute it to individuals and groups in need.

Flammable Liquid

Flammable liquid need a little more care to dispose of than paint.

Store them securely in sealed containers and take them to a hazardous waste facility for proper disposal.

Your local HWRC can advise on whether they accept specific substances.

Always tell the site on arrival that the goods are flammable so they take the correct precautions.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a dangerous material that is known to cause cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Before the dangers of asbestos were understood, it was commonly used in buildings from the 1930s to the late 1980s because it was cheap, fire-resistant, and an excellent insulator.

It can still be present in any building constructed or refurbished before 2000.

To keep both our team and our customers safe, Junk-It cannot accept any items containing asbestos.

If you think your home may have asbestos in your home? Contact a licensed asbestos specialist immediately.

They have the proper training and equipment to remove asbestos safely, preventing the harmful fibres from becoming airborne in your home.

Protect your home and family for the dangers of asbestos.

You can identify a professional Asbestos Removal Contractors in your area through the ARCA directory. This site lists vetted HSE-licensed specialists.

Sharps

Items with sharp edges or points can cause serious injury to our team during loading and handling.

We’re unable to accept:

These items include:

• Needles and syringes
• Knives
• Broken glass
• Weapons

Luckily, there are ways you can handle these items yourself!

Broken glass and Kitchen Knives

Broken glass and kitchen knives can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for safe disposal. Alternatively, if your knifes have plastic handles which prevent them from being recycled, you can also wrap knives securely in cardboard and tape before placing them in regular your household bin.

Weapons

Weapons should be taken to your local police station, where they can be safely and permanently destroyed.

You can find your nearest Police Scotland station via the Police Scotland website.

Make sure to follow their official procedures for safe submission.

Needles and Syringes

Needles and syringes must be treated as hazardous waste and need to go in a proper sharps bin.

In Glasgow, sharps bins can be obtained on prescription from your GP and returned to your GP practice for collection

In edinburgh, NHS Lothian operates a community pharmacy sharps return service at a number of participating pharmacies across the city.

Check the NHS Lothian site for the current list.

Biological Waste

Biological waste carries a genuine risk of infection for our team and can’t be collected as part of a standard junk removal service.

This includes:

• Animal or human waste
• Items contaminated with body tissues or blood
• Medical waste
• Pet litter
• Used nappies and sanitary products

Clinical and medical waste generated as part of NHS treatment should be managed through the NHS department providing your care. They can arrange appropriate collection or disposal.

Pet litter and used nappies can go in your general household waste bin.

Sanitary products and wet wipes (even those that claim to be “flushable”) must go in the general waste bin, not the recycling.

Although we can’t collect these items personally, our team is always more than happy to guide customers on how to manage their waste safely and effectively.

Our Junk-It team always has the environment on the front of our minds, and we want to ensure safe disposal. So feel free to give us a ring if you want to learn more information.

Pressurised Containers

For everyone’s safety, we do not accept pressurised containers or gas cylinders.

Even partially full aerosol cans are a risk for causing explosions and fires. Not just for our team, but for the waste management facility they would end up in.

Items that are classed as pressurised containers include:

• Gas cylinders such as propane and butane
• Fire extinguishers
• Aerosol cans

Completely empty aerosol cans can be accepted in household recycling collections and in your local Household Waste Recycling Centre’s metal recycling point. If in doubt, check your council’s bin guide for guidance in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Always make sure the can is fully empty before putting in the correct bin. Fully depressurise the can with the nozzle pressed until nothing comes out.

Full or part-full gas canisters should be treated as hazardous waste.

Check with your local Household and Waste Recycling Centre to see how they accept these items.

Most gas cylinders and fire extinguishers will come with clear manufacturer instructions for their safe disposal, and who to contact for their removal.

If not, the supplier or your local council can advise.

What We Can Recycle and Dispose Of

Although the above items are a no-go for our team, there are plenty of items that we can handle!

We are skilled at sorting, repurposing, and recycling your:

• Electrical items
• Bulky items: including sofas, tables, and beds
• Mattresses
• Metals
• Paper and cardboard
• Plastics and polystyrene
• Textiles: including shoes, carpets, and clothes
• Wood products

In fact, we are so skilled at waste disposal that we recycle an average of 85% of everything we collect during house clearances!

Not sure if we can recycle or dispose of your goods? Reach out to our friendly team today, we’re always happy to help.

Before we start any job, we’ll check exactly what you need cleared. This helps us give you a free, no-obligation quote, and it also lets us explain what we can and can’t take, while guiding you through the disposal process.

For a safe and environmentally friendly junk removal company, you can trust the friendly Junk-It team to have your rubbish sorted.

Contact Our Friendly Junk-It Team Today

Looking to get rid of junk from your household or commercial property? The Junk-It team is here for you.

Junk-It started back in 2006, and with coming up to 20 years of professional junk removal under our belt, we know how to get the job done fast, efficiently, and responsibly.

For a stress-free and friendly junk removal service, we will get rid of your junk and make sure it ends up at the right place.

Contact our professional team today by filling out an online enquiry form. You can also ring our Glasgow service on 0141 433 4330 or our Edinburgh service on 0131 228 3848.