When Palm Beachers need their âjunkâ hauled away, many call Dave Archer. Archer, and his wife, Toni, take just about everything, from furniture and appliances to trash and construction material. The Wellington couple recently came out of retirement to start Junk King Palm Beach, a franchisee of the company that bills itself as Americanâs greenest junk-removal service.
âResidents typically call when they are cleaning out their garage or house, or are completing some renovations,â Dave Archer said. âWe are the greenest company in this business. We try to recycle about 60 percent of what we pick up.â
Metal, electronics and computers are recycled, Archer said. Other items are donated to local charities, including Hospice of Palm Beach County, Faith Farm Ministries and Clinics Can Help. âWe get a lot of walkers, wheelchairs and crutches,â Archer said.
The Archers have two employees and one truck. Dave Archer, a veteran and former marketing executive, said heâs on the island about once or twice a month for jobs at homes, hotels and renovation sites. He said he services about 23 to 30 clients on the island, mostly residential.
Toni Archer said the business provides a value to the community.
âMany people think we pick up items and resell them,â she said. âRarely can items we take be resold. But, most items can be recycled or donated.â
Archer, a former kindergarten school teacher, said the couple started the junk-hauling franchise because they were bored in retirement.
âWe were enjoying playing golf and relaxing, until one day we stopped enjoying it,â she said. âWe wanted to do something, and we wanted it to be meaningful.â
To read the full story, visit .