Calgary –
What if someone could turn your junk into someone else’s treasure and help the environment a little bit in the process?
Just Junk Calgary picks up items people are throwing away. Deb Darbyshire and Mike Darbyshire started his business 12 years ago. They have a goal to divert as much from landfills as possible, and those who take advantage of the Calgary Drop-In Center’s (DI) free goods program benefit as a result.
“There’s a list of who takes what,” said Deb Derbyshire. “So in places like the Calgary Drop-In Center, we receive pretty much all very good home goods, household items, household items, cutlery, furniture, as long as they are in moderate use.”
DI’s Community Engagement Manager, Elise Short, says working with Just Junk is great.
“The mattresses, sofas, and even artificial plants they brought are all very helpful in helping someone build a home,” Short said. We’re talking about people who have just come to Canada, or who have started all over again.
Short said that when clients receive donations, they help transform their homes into homes.
“They are starting from scratch,” she said. “So even the little things that you might not think have an impact on someone actually have an impact on someone and help build a home.”
The company has set a goal of donating 75 truckloads to its free goods program in 2021. They manage his 100 loads and in 2022 they want clients to get him 250 loads.
“Drop In Center is one of the biggest[agency]that does most of our stuff,” says Mike Darbyshire. “You’ll get used to it, and that’s a good thing.”
Just Junk is a full service junk removal company. Deb Darbyshire says she makes customers’ lives easier by removing the unnecessary. Mike sorts everything that comes into the warehouse. They get a lot of garbage, but they still separate and recycle it. They receive old and new from their clients.
“We don’t really sell anything,” says Deb Darbyshire. “We make a point of either returning it to the community or going to another recycling center.”
making art out of junk
It’s Deb’s job to find new homes for all the items that can be reused. She works with many local artisans who make art out of junk.
“People who make arts and crafts will take all the nuts, bolts, tiny beads, bangles, and little things that you can’t even look twice at and make these amazing items out of them,” she said. said.
Mike Darbyshire is passionate about making sure items are sorted so they can be recycled or reused. By 2021, 101,720 kg (224,256) lbs of metal, 26,020 kg (57,366 lbs) of electronics, 33,009 kg (72,774 lbs) of concrete, 867 car and truck tires, and 774 bicycle tires will be landfilled. I saw it diverted from the earth. He enjoys finding antiques and hidden treasures the most.
“And the hard part about this business is seeing a lot of it and thinking it would be great to keep it, but I have to say no… than sticking it in my own house.” he said.
For more information on Just Junk, please visit www.justjunk.com.
