Start with what you are getting rid of
Most cleanouts are a mix: furniture, bagged household junk, a few appliances, yard debris, half-used cans of paint and cleaners, an old TV. On the Olympic Peninsula those items go to different places, and some of them cannot go in the garbage at all. Sorting the pile first saves trips, fees and refused loads.
- Household junk and furniture go to a transfer station, where you pay by weight. In east and central Clallam County that means the Port Angeles Regional Transfer Station or the Blue Mountain Transfer Station.
- Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners contain refrigerant and carry a per-unit fee. See disposing of a refrigerator or other appliances.
- Paint, stain and varnish go to a PaintCare drop-off site at no charge. See how to dispose of paint.
- Cleaners, pesticides, solvents and old gasoline go to the free household hazardous waste facility in Port Angeles.
- TVs, computers, monitors and tablets are recycled free through E-Cycle Washington; the transfer station does not take them.
- Mattresses and couches can often be donated or resold if they are in good shape; otherwise they go to the transfer station. See how to dispose of a mattress.
Do it yourself or hire a hauler?
If you have a pickup and a free Saturday, self-hauling is almost always the cheapest option: you pay the transfer station's weight-based fee and nothing else. Hiring makes sense when the load is too big or heavy for your vehicle, when items have to come down stairs or out of a crawl space, or when time matters more than money, as in an estate cleanout before a sale.
Our page on junk removal services explains the main kinds of service, from single-item pickups to full cleanouts and dumpster rentals, and what to ask a company before you book. The pricing guide explains how haulers set prices and how to estimate the disposal part of the bill yourself.
One rule worth knowing
In Washington, a company that hauls solid waste for pay generally needs a certificate from the state Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) under RCW 81.77. The UTC has brought enforcement cases against junk and debris haulers operating without one. Before you hire, ask whether the company holds a UTC solid waste certificate or how its service fits the law, and you can check with the UTC directly. More on this on the services page.
About this guide
This is an independent information site written by the Peninsula Junk & Hauling Guide editors. It is not a hauling company, does not take bookings and is not affiliated with any business. Read how we work, or browse all guides.