The Best Recycling Services
We graded 26 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 3,628 Google reviews of 26 top-rated recycling services nationwide. Updated November 2, 2026.
Find the right company for your job
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Best recycling services for trash removal & disposal
Clear ✕
Junk King San FranciscoHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Trash removal & disposal”:Stars on this job 55%4.84★Number of such jobs 25%51Overall Experts Score 20%88Job match= 84Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.76★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.84
Eastern Waste & RecyclingHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Trash removal & disposal”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%7Overall Experts Score 20%66Job match= 71Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.76★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.71Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Trash removal & disposal” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about trash removal & disposal
Eastern Waste & RecyclingWe’ve had a great experience with this company. They are reliable, always show up when they’re supposed to, and make everything easy. Their customer service has also been very helpful and friendly anytime we’ve needed anything. It’s nice to have a company you can count on. I would definitely recommend them!
Junk King San FranciscoThey are the sweetest guys! They took everything out! It's my 6th time using their service. They're very helpful, the gentlemen will call you before they come, and very professional. I recommend this service to anyone that needs to clear out some things and more. It's affordable and efficient! I'll give them a 10/10!! See you guys in 2wks. 💯
Eastern Waste & RecyclingI live at the very end of an extremely bumpy and rough dirt road and had pretty much assumed trash service was never going to be a luxury for my family. After cleaning up the trash that our 2 Labradors had strung across the yard and porch for the millionth time I decided to google “Rocky Point Trash services” and…
Eastern Waste & RecyclingWent online to set up service, and within 2 hours the bins had been dropped off. Two weeks in and the service has been great.
Junk King San FranciscoEvery single aspect of hiring Junk King was beyond expectations. I called on a Saturday, spoke to someone immediately, made an appointment for the next day, the driver was early (after calling to make sure that was ok), the price was great, and they hauled everything away easy as pie. I was amazed at the variety of…
Junk King San FranciscoI had an excellent experience with Junk King. Called ahead of their arrival, punctual, got the job done, and couldn’t have been more professional. Easy. Would absolutely recommend.
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of recycling services).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Hancock Hauling CompanyWilmington, NC | A 99How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%100+69.2Reliability 31%98+30.2Experts Score= 99Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 2 |  GreenCitizen, Inc.San Francisco, CA | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%95+60.4Reliability 28%93+26.3Replies to reviews 8%92+7.6Experts Score= 94Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––AA | 4.93 | — |
| 3 | Junk King San FranciscoAlameda, CA | A 88How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%89+48.5Reliability 24%90+21.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%70+4.9Craft & service penalty85−1.5Experts Score= 88Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAB | 4.87 | — |
| 4 |  American Property Experts- Bulk Mulch and Land Clearing ServicesWilmington, NC | A 80How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%82+52.1Reliability 28%82+23.2Replies to reviews 8%58+4.8Experts Score= 80Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––AC | 4.76 | — |
| 5 |  Jerry's Do It CenterWellston, OH | B 79How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%80+50.8Reliability 28%73+20.6Replies to reviews 8%95+7.8Experts Score= 79Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AB––AA | 4.80 | — |
| 6 |  Free Geek ArkansasFayetteville, AR | B 76How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%76+48.3Reliability 28%79+22.3Replies to reviews 8%61+5Experts Score= 76Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BB––AB | 4.68 | — |
| 7 |  DÀJÉS Recycling CenterLos Angeles, CA | B 74How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%82+52.1Reliability 28%75+21.2Replies to reviews 8%80+6.6Momentum penalty46−5.4Experts Score= 74Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AB––CA | 4.84 | — |
| 8 |  Recycling CenterLos Angeles, CA | B 74How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%75+47.6Reliability 28%92+26Replies to reviews 8%24+2Momentum penalty81−1.9Experts Score= 74Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BA––AD | 4.79 | — |
| 9 |  Southern Metals Recycling IncWilmington, NC | B 70How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%76+48.3Reliability 28%70+19.8Replies to reviews 8%26+2.1Experts Score= 70Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BB––AD | 4.68 | — |
| 10 |  Marion Orton Recycling CenterFayetteville, AR | B 66How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%71+45.1Reliability 28%69+19.5Replies to reviews 8%18+1.5Experts Score= 66Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BB––AF | 4.65 | — |
| 11 | Eastern Waste & RecyclingWilmington, NC | B 66How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%70+38.2Reliability 24%38+9.2Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%68+4.8Momentum penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 66Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BD–AAB | 4.71 | — |
| 12 |  UNCW Recycling DepotWilmington, NC | B 65How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%72+45.7Reliability 28%71+20Replies to reviews 8%31+2.6Momentum penalty65−3.5Experts Score= 65Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BB––BD | 4.78 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
|---|
Recycling Services at a glance
How the 26 recycling services we rated compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A415%
- Grade B1558%
- Grade C623%
- Grade D00%
- Grade F14%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up28%
- 4.80–4.89★312%
- 4.60–4.79★1454%
- Below 4.60★727%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality32318%
- Professionalism41823%
- Responsiveness38221%
- Punctuality37721%
- Value32218%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price750%
- Reasonable750%
- Overpriced00%
- Not sure00%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.