Junk removal costs in San Jose

California's list of things you can't throw in the trash is long, and a San Jose garage cleanout runs into it fast. The state bans every kind of battery, fluorescent tubes and even LED bulbs, latex and oil-based paint, solvents, some pool chemicals, motor oil and antifreeze. Old TVs, monitors, laptops, printers and microwaves are on the list too. So are tires, which the state keeps out of the trash to prevent mosquito breeding and tire fires. Treated wood, like old fence posts, has to be handled as hazardous waste.

That changes how a garage gets cleared. The shelf of half-empty paint cans and the drawer of dead batteries go to household hazardous waste, and the city has a permanent drop-off facility at its Environmental Innovation Center.

The big stuff is easier. Owners and renters can both use the city's Junk Pickup, in houses and apartment complexes alike. Book it through 311 online, on the app or by phone. One request can include up to 12 items, like mattresses, furniture and tires, and the pickup lands on your regular collection day. A confirmation email with the date follows within two business days.

Set the items out no more than 24 hours ahead, on the street next to the curb, the way you set out your carts. Keep them out of red zones, clear of hydrants and not right beside a parked car, since the hauler can't risk damaging it.