With Earth Day 2025 fast approaching, sustainability is reclaiming the attention it deserves. For businesses, going green isn’t just a nice idea—it’s something more customers expect.
The Junkluggers is a junk removal franchise on a mission to keep reusable items out of landfills and put them into the hands (and homes) of those who need them. They’re not only cleaning up people’s garages—they’re giving entrepreneurs a chance to build something meaningful and profitable.
We sat down with Justin Waltz, brand president of The Junkluggers, to talk about the rise of socially responsible entrepreneurship, how sustainability provides a competitive edge, and why their initiative Remix Market is changing the game for secondhand goods.
Innovation & Tech Today: Why do you think sustainability has become an important part of business models?
Justin Waltz: Sustainability has become a vital part of many businesses, as it impacts customer decisions, employee engagement, and investment opportunities. While many companies are going green to fulfill their social responsibility, there are evident business advantages.
Consumers want to support brands that align with their values, and businesses that prioritize eco-conscious initiatives can stand out as ethical and forward-thinking. For The Junkluggers, sustainability is at the core of what we do. Our entire business model is built around reducing landfill waste, donating reusable items, and repurposing materials whenever possible. Not only does this benefit the planet, but it can also help make our services more attractive to customers who care about making an impact.
I&T Today: There seems to be a growing interest in eco-friendly businesses. Why do you think more entrepreneurs are focusing on sustainability?
Waltz: Nowadays, I believe more entrepreneurs are focusing on sustainability because they care about making a difference. People want to feel good about the work they do, and launching or working for an eco-conscious business can help give them a sense of purpose. Going green can also be a major selling point when attracting and retaining employees, which, in turn, can help enhance service quality.
A greener workplace may also foster a positive company culture, where people feel more fulfilled by the work they’re doing, making them more engaged and productive. We find this to be true with many of our franchise owners and their teams. Upon joining, many said they were looking for a meaningful career that aligned with their values. They didn’t just want to own a business; they wanted to contribute to a greener future, and being part of The Junkluggers gave them that opportunity.
I&T Today: How does The Junkluggers attract franchise owners who care about the environment while still building a successful business?
Waltz: We strive to attract aspiring and established franchise owners who care about the environment. At The Junkluggers, we don’t just “talk the talk”—we provide top-notch junk removal services nationwide while positively impacting the planet through responsible disposal, recycling initiatives, and local charity partnerships. That mission resonates with entrepreneurs who want to run a business while also making a positive impact. To reach prospective franchise owners, we work with franchise business consultants, use targeted marketing, and attend networking events. Through the power of networking, we’ve also had several franchise owner referrals come through from other franchise owners under Authority Brands (our parent company). Those who operate within our sister franchises see all the good we’re doing, which resonates with them.
With that said, entrepreneurs don’t need a background in junk removal to own a Junkluggers franchise. We’re always seeking entrepreneurs who are passionate about running an eco-conscious business. Our ideal franchise owner is someone who has the desire to grow and manage a multi-truck operation and must be comfortable building relationships and networking with people. As the franchisor, we provide all the training and support needed to launch and scale our owners’ businesses, from hiring a team to building customer relationships. Our goal is to help every franchise owner hit the ground running on day one.
I&T Today: How do you think focusing on sustainability helps The Junkluggers stand out from other businesses in the same industry?
Waltz: The Junkluggers stands out amongst competitors because of our commitment to environmental responsibility and providing exceptional customer service. Plenty of junk removal companies exist, but we entered this industry with a mission to change it, and that mission remains steadfast. Unlike our competitors, we prioritize donations and recycling over simply hauling everything to a landfill, and that makes a big difference to our customers. Beyond our core services, we also have additional revenue streams like Remix Market, where we resell gently used furniture and home goods that might have otherwise been discarded. This initiative helps repurpose items and makes a meaningful difference in our communities.
As we all know, consumers today are more environmentally conscious than ever before. They expect businesses to be more environmentally responsible too. Companies that ignore sustainability can risk getting left behind, while those that embrace it may be better positioning themselves as leaders in their industries. By implementing green initiatives early on, businesses can stay ahead of the curve.
I&T Today: Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious. How has this affected the way The Junkluggers operates and grows?
Waltz: As I mentioned earlier, sustainability is imperative to business models nowadays. It’s something consumers actively look for when choosing brands to support. Recent studies show that 78% of consumers consider sustainability important, and 55% are willing to pay more for eco-friendly brands. I believe that data alone shows how important sustainability has become in this day and age and why brands like The Junkluggers are thriving. Our brand’s services are a prime example of how going green is not only good for business but also the planet. We’ve built a business model that aligns with what today’s consumers want. By focusing on responsible junk removal, like donating, recycling, and repurposing as much as possible, we’ve helped to reduce landfill waste and rehome items.
I&T Today: Can you tell us about Remix Market and how it helps reduce waste while giving people a chance to buy or sell reusable items?
Waltz: At The Junkluggers, our mission is to positively impact both the environment and the local communities we serve. Our dedication to keeping items out of landfills drives us to find innovative solutions, which is why we created Remix Market. Remix Market is a furniture and home décor resale store we launched to give a second life to items that can’t be donated or recycled through traditional channels. Instead of sending them to landfills, we carefully assess them for resale, and a portion of the proceeds goes to local charities.
Every day, an astounding amount of household and commercial junk ends up in landfills. Not every item we collect can be accepted by traditional donation centers or charity partners either. Furniture that may be slightly damaged, too worn, or even items that donation centers are overstocked with often get turned away. That’s why we saw an opportunity to make a difference–Remix Market helps bridge that gap by keeping these items.
I&T Today: Where do you see businesses like The Junkluggers in the next 5–10 years, especially as sustainability continues to grow in importance?
Waltz: Looking ahead to the next 5–10 years, I believe businesses like The Junkluggers that are dedicated to sustainability will only continue to further their commitments. Junk removal as an industry is booming, and we’ve seen incredible growth because our eco-conscious approach resonates with customers. Plus, both our franchise owners and customers are seeing the benefits of Remix Markets. We are constantly searching for new charities to partner with to dispose of the materials we lug away, and I’m confident this will only continue to grow.
Additionally, many cities are pushing for zero-waste goals by 2030, and businesses like ours are helping make that vision a reality. Our goal is to keep growing while staying true to our mission.
I&T Today: With Earth Month and Earth Day coming up, how does The Junkluggers plan to raise awareness about sustainability and encourage others to get involved?
Waltz: While Earth Month and Earth Day are great reminders to care for the planet, The Junkluggers encourages people to be eco-conscious year-round. April is an ideal time to get involved by donating, recycling, or selling items you no longer need instead of throwing them away. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to make a positive impact. Some ways we encourage consumers to be more sustainable include using reusable bags, driving the speed limit to improve fuel economy, purchasing eco-conscious cleaning supplies, and responsibly disposing of items.
For The Junkluggers, this time of year is also significant for our community partnerships. As the moving season picks up in late spring and summer, we work closely with local charities and recycling facilities to keep as many items as possible out of landfills. For eco-conscious consumers looking for local secondhand treasures, they can also visit RemixMarket.com.
