City of Hamilton selected as first franchise for leading junk removal company

HAMILTON, ON (January 1, 2007) — Just Junk Inc. has started licensing its Niagara-based junk removal and waste management company with its first franchise set to open March 1st in Hamilton, Ont.

The three-year-old St. Catharines company is also eying plans to build a southern Ontario-based call centre that will ultimately reach its customers nationwide by handling job bookings and customer service inquiries for all franchise partners.

“We’re really excited about breaking into the Hamilton junk removal and waste management market,” said Mike Thorne, president of Just Junk. “We see Hamilton as having almost unlimited potential.”

Ironically, it wasn’t all that long ago that the phrase professional junk removal was an oxymoron. But today there are several factors influencing the growth of the industry. Aging baby boomers wanting to downsize and no longer willing or able to haul junk to the curb, the mushrooming home renovations market, and the shorter life cycle of many manufactured products are all contributors.

Thorne hopes Hamilton is the springboard for other communities wanting to embrace his model of junk removal with an environmental consciousness.

“We want to make the process of junk removal as common as ordering a combo meal at a fast food restaurant,” Thorne said.

“I am anxious to begin this exciting business endeavour. I believe that Just Junk Hamilton will be our community's #1 choice for a junk removal service that offers the highest level of customer service, professionalism, and competitive pricing. I am very proud to be part of this team, and look forward to a very successful partnership,” said Don Freeman, Just Junk (Hamilton), Franchise Partner.

Last year, Just Junk launched Ahead of the Times, its eco-friendly corporate responsibility program that aims to donate a percentage of the firm’s revenues to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation to help protect the region’s watershed and green space. The Hamilton franchise will be looking to do the same thing in the coming year.”

The company’s predilection for environmental concerns is a natural fit given the foundation upon which it was built and continues operating. Over 60 per cent of the material Just Junk removes from homes and businesses is either recycled or donated to local charities. Even salvageable construction debris is donated to Habitat for Humanity.

The firm ensures that the remaining material is disposed of for further processing at landfill or transfer stations.

In 2005, Just Junk received an award from the St. Catharines Chamber of Commerce for entrepreneurial success and great promise for continued growth.

About Just Junk

The company’s long-term vision is to be regarded as one of the most respected and well known brands in the junk removal industry. Just Junk’s short-term goal involves building a strong foundation that will ensure continued success throughout Hamilton and Burlington.