An Interview With Martita Mestey
Donation & Repurposing — Prioritize donating usable items to local charities and donation centers, giving those items a second life. At The Junkluggers, our franchise owners help to repurpose items by cleaning, updating, and selling them at affordable prices through their Remix Markets to help benefit the communities we serve. Consumers can buy used, second-hand items to keep this momentum going.
As we face an unprecedented environmental crisis, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. This series seeks to spotlight the innovative minds and passionate advocates who are leading the charge in environmental conservation and sustainable practices. We aim to explore the most effective strategies, breakthrough technologies, and transformative policies that are shaping a more sustainable future for our planet. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Justin Waltz of The Junkluggers.
Justin Waltz has been Brand President of The Junkluggers since January 2024. With over a decade of experience in junk removal and franchise operations, he has held significant roles at 1–800-GOT-JUNK and College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving®, where he showcased his skills in business growth and sustainability. At The Junkluggers, he is dedicated to strengthening relationships with franchise owners, expanding the brand’s national footprint, driving technological innovation, and upholding the brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility and community impact.
Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but my career in the junk removal industry certainly had humble beginnings. In 2005, I joined 1–800-GOT-JUNK as a truck driver and proudly helped my franchise reach $1.7 million in revenue that year. I eventually transitioned to the corporate side of the industry and became a franchise business consultant. I played a key role in growing another up-and-coming junk removal brand — College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving. There, I helped grow the brand’s portfolio to 120 owners and boost the average unit volume (AUV) from $200,000 to $1 million. After that, I became the managing director of franchise operations for Big Blue Swim School where I oversaw franchise owner engagement and training, profitability and strategic planning. I eventually saw an opportunity to lead The Junkluggers and knew what my industry experience and ideas could bring to the table. Reflecting on my career journey, I never imagined I’d one day become the brand president of a junk removal company. I’m grateful for every experience that has shaped me into the leader I am today.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
Some of the most interesting stories from my career come from my early days on a junk removal truck. Every job told a unique story, often involving families in transition — whether upsizing, downsizing, or navigating life changes. I’ve had the privilege of meeting people from all walks of life, from professional athletes to scientists and teachers. Each encounter offered a chance to make a positive impact, whether on our clients or my colleagues. That’s why I believe junk removal isn’t just about clearing out spaces; it’s about creating moments of connection and support. These experiences have shaped my perspective on service and the power of human connection.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
If you look at what’s hanging above my office desk, it’s a poster that says “GRIT.” To me, with grit comes hustle, passion, and perseverance — three character traits that have been instrumental to my success. Hustle is about taking initiative, passion fuels long-term motivation, and perseverance helps weather tough times. These qualities have shaped how I lead my teams and tackle challenges.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?
Yes! To help both our franchise owners and clients, we are constantly updating our environmental and sustainability reporting from a data perspective. This showcases how we display our recycling efforts and what we can provide to our national clients. This is still in the early stages, but we are working on being able to report and share environmental data with our national account customers for their own environmental and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, we’ve recently overhauled our appointment system with AI-driven technology. This new system efficiently captures and analyzes customer data, making it easier for franchise owners to personalize each customer’s services while reducing the need for lengthy phone interactions. Despite spending less time with representatives, our customers have reported higher satisfaction levels, and our appointment conversions have jumped by 25%. At The Junkluggers, we see AI as a tool to help improve both customer service and business performance. While AI is beneficial for inputting details on new customers, it can also double-check and organize existing data. Because of its ability to capture and update data, our AI technology has significantly reduced our customer handle time and has helped eliminate scheduling inefficiencies for our owners.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. What pivotal moment led you to dedicate your career to sustainability, and how has that shaped your approach to environmental challenges?
I don’t know if there was a specific moment that led me to join this industry. It really started when I became a junk removal truck driver. I sort of fell into it, but over time, my career experiences in the junk removal space sparked a genuine passion for the work. When I was offered the opportunity to join The Junkluggers, I was immediately drawn to the brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility and its focus on delivering exceptional customer service. I knew it was a game-changing company with the potential to make a real impact on creating a greener planet. As brand president, I have the privilege of leading a team that shares those same values. Because we’re aligned in our commitment to sustainability, I’m confident in our ability to grow and consistently deliver high-quality service to our customers.
Now that I’m over a year into my role as brand president, my focus is on enhancing our services and expanding our footprint so we can put a Junkluggers green truck on every community corner nationwide. When we talk about sustainability, it might feel like we’re moving toward consuming less than past generations, but in reality, it’s the opposite. With online shopping, “Buy Now” buttons, and faster delivery, we’re consuming more than ever. The “endless aisle” that lives on our smartphones has only accelerated that trend. What’s encouraging though, is that today’s consumers are holding companies accountable. They’re asking brands to share in the responsibility and take part in the solution. At The Junkluggers, we’re responding by developing thoughtful end-of-life plans, like Remix Markets, for furniture, clothing, and more. We want to lead the charge in reshaping how people think about waste and be at the forefront of that movement.
Could you describe a groundbreaking project or initiative you’ve been involved in that significantly contributed to sustainability?
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 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.
How do you navigate the balance between economic growth and environmental preservation in your sustainability strategies?
Over time, I’ve found that sustainability is imperative to business models nowadays. It’s something consumers actively look for when choosing brands to support. In fact, recent studies show 78% of consumers consider sustainability important, and 55% are willing to pay more for eco-conscious brands. I believe that data alone shows how consumer expectations are shifting and why companies can’t overlook sustainability. As a society, we still fall short when it comes to tracking what happens to goods at the end of their life cycle. That lack of awareness creates a major gap, and opportunity, for businesses to lead the way. By capturing better data and being more transparent about sustainability efforts, businesses can develop smarter strategies to reduce waste and create real change.
Furthermore, I believe this is why companies 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 for the planet. We’ve built a business model that aligns with what today’s consumers want, which I believe only helps fuel our economic growth. 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. Since being acquired by Authority Brands in 2022, we’ve proudly expanded to operate 139 units across 300 territories and show no signs of slowing down. We are excited to continue expanding nationwide, and are looking for new owners to join us in: Birmingham (AL), Chicago (IL), Cincinnati (OH), Columbus (OH), Houston (TX), Indianapolis (IN), Jacksonville (FL), Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles (CA), Oklahoma City (OK), Orlando (FL), Phoenix (AZ), and San Francisco (CA). These cities, many of which have ambitious zero-waste goals by 2030, present significant opportunities for us to meet essential community needs in sustainable waste management.
What emerging technologies or innovations do you believe hold the most promise for advancing sustainability and why?
I anticipate AI will continue to play a big role in shaping the junk removal industry. Internally, as I mentioned, we’re using it in CRM systems and to help keep track of customer data, which has been beneficial to streamlining operations for our franchise owners. In the future, there is a chance that AI may further revolutionize junk removal sustainability by optimizing sorting, collection routes, and resource utilization, helping to continue reducing landfill waste and optimizing waste management practices. In addition to AI, there has been a growing trend on eco-conscious disposal methods, which we’ve also taken advantage of with Remix Markets. This means prioritizing responsible waste management, recycling, and donation to minimize environmental impact and align with consumer expectation. Lastly, electronic waste and e-recycling are on the rise to create a sustainable future. By 2030, annual e-waste production is on track to reach a staggering 75 million metric tons, and there is so much that needs to be done to minimize that. Therefore, there is a growing industry focus on responsible disposal and recycling of electronic devices, driven by environmental concerns and the recognition of valuable materials within e-waste.
Here is our main question. Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet”? (Please share a story or an example for each)
1. Donation & Repurposing — Prioritize donating usable items to local charities and donation centers, giving those items a second life. At The Junkluggers, our franchise owners help to repurpose items by cleaning, updating, and selling them at affordable prices through their Remix Markets to help benefit the communities we serve. Consumers can buy used, second-hand items to keep this momentum going.
2. Continued Education — As a society, we need to continue educating the public about the importance of sustainable waste management and the impact of junk on the environment. For our franchise owners to make a difference, I believe it’s important to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices from within.
3. Recycling — We all know the famous saying “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” This is the foundation of sustainability! Proper waste disposal is key to helping keep the planet clean. Do your best to avoid plastics and actively recycle materials like metal and electronics into their proper categories to help divert them from landfills.
4. Supporting Eco-Conscious Businesses — Choose companies that prioritize sustainability and responsible waste management. For entrepreneurs, this means looking to invest in these companies to help them grow. The more business they do, the more their name will get out there and the more services they can provide to better the planet. For consumers, determine which companies offer the best sustainability and end-of-life strategies for their products before making purchases. Buying locally can also help avoid longer shipping requirements.
5. Embracing Technology — Innovation is key when it comes to sustainability. Using technology to obtain data analytics can help identify trends in waste generation and optimize collection schedules. As time goes on, industry advancements like AI-assisted sorting bins may help to reduce landfill waste and promote conservation.
In your view, what are the key steps individuals, communities, and governments need to take to achieve a more sustainable future?
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 for business owners and consumers alike 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 items.
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. Also as I mentioned before, many city government officials are pushing for zero-waste goals by 2030, which will help create a more sustainable future. Businesses like ours are helping make that vision a reality.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
At The Junkluggers, our mission, values, and goals around re-homing, landfill diversion, and zero waste are essential to our impact on the communities we serve and the junk removal industry. The movements I most strongly advocate for are zero waste and zero landfill. While I’m not the first brand president to champion this cause, I strive to advance these movements with our franchise owners nationwide, significantly influencing our industry’s approach to diversion, rehoming, and environmental sustainability.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
For additional information and to learn about our franchising opportunities, readers can visit Junkluggers.com or follow us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJunkluggers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-junkluggers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejunkluggers/
To shop local secondhand treasures near you or learn more about The Junkluggers’ Remix Markets, please visit RemixMarket.com.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
The Future Is Green: Justin Waltz of The Junkluggers On Their Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.