Words by Smiley Team
It’s not always easy to know the best way to get rid of old junk, especially whilst trying to look after the planet. But a new online marketplace is designed to make the whole process as smooth as possible.
LoveJunk matches people who want to get rid of their rubbish to the nearest licensed waste carrier or reuser with the capacity to collect it.
“It’s a sort of eBay for junk clearance," founder Jason Mohr tells Smiley News. "Our mission is to make getting rid of stuff too big for the bin cheaper, faster and greener. I launched LoveJunk during the midst of the pandemic, having previously founded a waste tech business, Anyjunk.”
Bulky waste collection is an inefficient market where customers regularly overpay, collectors drive unnecessary miles, reusable items end up being destroyed, and illegal operators continue to flourish. LoveJunk wants to get rid of all of that and clean up the junk removal business.
They promote proximity to reduce the carbon footprint of pick-up, and simplify the process and payment to remove hassle and inefficiency.
(Read more about this litter picking app which is giving prizes for rubbish)
You can get started by creating a LoveJunk listing. It’s free to do and only takes a minute. A few photos, a quick description, whether it can be reused, and the price you want to pay for it to be removed.
Nearby collectors registered on the platform can claim your listing at that price or offer an alternative. Nearby reusers can offer to collect it for free.
Once a match is agreed, the collector or reuser does the pickup and payment for the collection is via the app. LoveJunk ensures waste collectors are properly licensed and insured and that only verified disposal facilities are used.
One in three LoveJunk listings described by customers as possibly reusable is reused, as opposed to being destroyed. This figure is increasing, as the reuse community grows.
(Read more about this global recycling hero, offering the chance to win big money)
On average, more than 97% of junk avoids going to the landfill.
One reviewer said: “Before knowing this app, I called a waste collection company and they quoted £250. After posting on LoveJunk, within half an hour, I saw the price dropped to £50 with lowering quotes every a few minutes. It’s like an auction scheme introduced into the waste collection market. Highly recommend.”
Another added: “I was so dubious about using this service but am utterly blown away by how easy it was. I had searched around online for ages looking for someone to collect my Xmas tree and eventually found this. Posted an ad feeling rather sceptical that it would work but within minutes I had been contacted and the tree was picked up within 12 hours without any problems at all.”
TRY IT OUT: You can try LoveJunk for yourself on its website.
SUPPORT: Help promote the circular economy by supporting Warp It, the reuse network.
