📪 HH #107: The Forgotten Junk Removal Edge

Justin Hubbard
Oct 9
3 min read

TL;DR

Most haulers overlook the power of donations. While everyone’s chasing quick cash, real differentiation comes from doing what’s right—saving items from landfills, supporting local charities, and showing customers you care. Highlighting donations builds trust, repeat business, and a brand people feel good about.

Charge for donation pickups the same as junk removal—your value is in convenience and responsibility. One trip, everything handled.

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As I’ve been working through the final edits of my book (Beyond Breaking Even), I came across the chapter on donations. Reading through it, I started reflecting on how often I see guys just hauling and tipping out junk.

Rarely do I see companies putting their donation efforts front and center—talking about how they save items from landfills, support secondhand shops, and strengthen both the environment and the local economy.

Somewhere along the way, our industry got fixated on quick money, fast jobs, and “$10k a month” or “$50k a month” type pitches from charlatan gurus (I won't rant again... this time).

But let me tell you firsthand, donations are and should be a big part of your business.

The Forgotten Differentiator

In marketing and customer acquisition, differentiation is everything. Customers are deciding between you and five other haulers—what makes you stand out? From what I’m seeing, the industry has drifted away from the eco-conscious theme and into a “fast cash at any cost” mindset.

That’s a missed opportunity. Because when you lean back into donations and the “feel good” side of what we do, you aren’t just moving junk—you’re building something that people connect with. Customers want to feel like they made the right choice, not just in price but in impact.

Why Donations Matter

Customer Experience: Clients remember how you made them feel. Showing them you care about doing what’s right—donating, recycling, supporting local charities—sticks with them.

Referrals & Repeat Business: Happy customers talk. If they know you’re responsible and thoughtful with their items, they’ll tell their neighbors, friends, and family.

Marketing Power: Highlighting “responsible disposal, recycling, and donations” in your marketing can be the differentiating factor you’ve been looking for—hiding in plain sight.

Community Impact: Every item you save from the dump has a ripple effect—supporting local thrift shops, providing affordable goods, and cutting down on waste.

Bringing It Back

So here’s my challenge to you: instead of chasing lead after lead and trying to flip it for fast cash, lean into the part of this industry that helps builds longevity—donations.

Look miles down the road. Short-term thinking is what gets us into trouble.

Customers notice. They care. And the business that puts people, community, and the environment first will win in the long run.

If you’ve let this piece of your business slip, it’s time to bring it back. Focus your marketing there, emphasize it in your customer conversations, and track how it impacts your repeat business and referrals.

You might be surprised at how much more valuable your brand becomes when you do.

That's the Haulers' Edge ✌️

P.S. In case you don’t know, you still charge for donation services just like you do for junk removal. You’re helping customers who need items gone now — the ones nonprofits couldn’t get to quickly enough.

Plus, your edge compared to free nonprofit services is that you’ll take everything — and whatever isn’t donated will be disposed of responsibly. That means one appointment for the client where all their needs are handled at once.

Always think about the customer benefit. Sell the benefit of the service, not the features.