Disposal of Household Goods and Hazardous Materials

When we move, we tend to get rid of the items we have not used in some time, placed in the garage or storage in hope that one day we may need to use them again, or if they are broken we hoped to get them fixed. However when you are planning your move, the last thing you think of is the junk you haven't used in some time. Some of us spend a day or two trying to sell it to our neighbors at the "garage sale".

The goods that were left over after the garage sale, you are encouraged to take to Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army and other Chartitable Thrift Stores. Check with they as some do not provide pickup services.

After you have done the "Garage Sale" and made charitable donations you still have a hefty load of items you were not able to get rid of. Some will try to trash them in your garbage bins. Unfortunately, most of those items need to be properly disposed of. As movers we see this practically every day. On the move day it is too late to make any special arrangements. That is why we decided to devote this article to proper disposal of household goods and hazardous materials.

There are different sanitation districts located in designated areas of Southern California regions. These areas are dedicated to protect public health and the environment through innovative wastewater and solid management, and by doing so they convert waste into energy, and into recycled materials.

E-WASTE

This term is applied to electronic equipment, which is no longer working. E-Waste includes:

• computers,
• printers,
• TVs,
• VCRs,
• cell phones,
• fax machines,
• stereo equipment,
• electronic games.
• Televisions
• Computer Monitors
• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Monitors & Televisions
• Light Emitting Diode (LED) Monitors & Televisions
• Plasma Televisions
• Computers
• Hard Drives
• Computer peripherals
• Laptops
• DVD Players
• VCR's
• Printers
• Scanners
• Fax Machines
• Copy Machines
• Servers
• Telephones
• Answering machines
• Radios
• Stereo equipment
• Tape players/recorders
• Phonographs
• Printed Circuit Boards
• CD's/Video Cassettes/Beta/DAT Tapes
• Video cassette players and recorders
• Compact disc players, calculators
• Power Supply Units
• Connectors and Cables
• Telecommunications Equipment
• Main Frames
• Peripherals
• All Consumer Electronics
• Some minor appliances
• Electronics may contain lead, copper, and other heavy metals or potentially toxic substances.

To reduce e-waste - we must be thinking of the impact which improper use or disposal will have on our environment.

It is crucial to recycle electronics at the end of their life style, and try to reuse the equipment that still work or can be fixes, and only purchase equipment that you absolutely need.

During local or long distance relocation most of us get rid of the stuff we no longer use, but we don't stop to think of the importance of proper disposal.

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT CAN BE BROUGHT TO HHW COLLECTION:

• Motor oil, oil filters, brake fluid
• Used antifreeze
• Paint, paint thinner, turpentine
• Cleaners with acid or lye
• Pesticides or herbicides
• Household batteries or car batteries
• Pool chemicals
• CRTs, old TVs, miscellaneous electronics
• Mercury thermometers or thermostats
• Used Needles or Sharps (in a sharps container or sturdy box labeled "Sharps"
• Unwanted or expired prescriptions
• THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN NOT BRING TO A HHW COLLECTION:
• Explosives
• Radioactive Materials
• Ammunition
• Business Waste
• Appliances (stoves, fridges, etc.)
• Controlled Substances
• Biohazardous Waste (blood, urine, etc.)

There are a few companies in Southern California that offer mixed waste processing. These recycling facilities allow us to process materials through the use of sorting lines, machines, and manual sorting methods to separate out recyclables from mixed trash before landfill disposal.

Helpul phone numbers and links:

United States Environmental Protection Agency

888-CleanLA Helpine,

http://22888cleanla.com

RecyclingCenters

Landfills of Southern California

To avoid interruption of your service, do not place hazardous materials into your trash. If hazardous materials waste is identified, it will be tagged and not collected.

NOTE: Any Electronic Waste collected at these events is sent to a facility within the State of California that certifies that it is 100% demanufactured and recycled to the commodity level in the United States. No Electronic Waste collected at these events is sent overseas.

• How should you prepare?
• Bring the items you wish to dispose of in a sturdy box preferably in their original, labeled containers.
• Do not EVER mix products together.
• It is ILLEGAL to transport more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste in your personal vehicle.
• Be prepared to leave your containers. Because of permitting requirements, and the volume of people that utilize the program, items such as gasoline cans WILL NOT be returned.

HERE SOME DISPOSAL LOCATIONS YOU SHOULD USE:

Environmental Collection Center at EDCO, Signal Hill

• City of Alhambra - 09/07/13
• City of South Pasadena - 09/07/13
• City of Burbank - 09/14/13
• City of Carson - 09/21/13
• Cities of Beverly Hills & West Hollywood - 09/28/13
• City of Huntington Park - 10/26/13
• City of South El Monte - 10/05/13
• City of Duarte - 10/12/13
• City of Bellflower - 11/02/13
• City of Santa Clarita - 11/09/13
• City of Monterey Park - 11/23/13
• City of Covina - 10/19/13
• Unincorporated South Whittier - 11/16/13
• Unincorporated Lennox - 10/19/13
• City of Malibu - 12/07/13
• City of LaVerne - 12/21/13
• City of Lomita - 12/14/13
• 2801 Madera Rd Simi Valley, CA 93065,(805)579-7267
• 5300 Lost Hills Rd Agoura Hills, CA 91301,(818) 889-0363

TIME OF OPERATIONS FOR MOST OF THE LANDFILLS:

Most landfills are open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday except holidays.

Clean dirt is not accepted for free at this site. Dirt is charged the tipping fee for municipal solid and inert waste. To obtain more detailed information on the Sanitation Districts' criteria for accepting clean dirt at your local landfill facility.

Dirt, green waste, and asphalt loads are accepted during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PAYMENTS

Payment at the scales must be in cash, credit card (MC, American Express, & Discover Card only), debit card, or by pre-arranged credit. No checks are accepted. All disposal rates, excluding green waste rates, include state, county, and appropriate local fees and taxes.

A-Z Moving & Storage is gladly helping customers with proper disposals of the undesired articles. There is an additional cost assessed for this service. You can call our office to discuss the cost and the payment options with our moving specialists.

Our goals is to provide top of the line service and to protect environment from improper disposals of household goods.

The customer is responsible for separating (setting aside the goods to be trashed - separating hazardous materials from regular trash). If you want our movers to perform separating of hazardous materials there will be additional charge for extra time. The customer is also responsible for the disposal costs listed by your local Landfill and the labor and distance to that disposal facility.

You can also choose to order a recycle bin from a waste management company of your choice, and have the movers help you fill that bin with your trash. The costs of bins vary by their size and your location.

Local jurisdictions are responsible for the collection of solid wastes or trash. Please call your city, county or trash collection company to obtain the information you need.

Please help us keep America - California - and your local neighborhood environmentally safe!

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions are written in small print on the back of the moving contract. The front of the contract indicates the name of the moving company and the shipper; addresses of pickup and delivery; date the order was taken; date of the start of service and delivery date; the tariff for local or long distance relocation; cost of materials; cost of valuation protection.

On the back of the contract printed information of mover's assumed liability:

Perils assumed by mover,

The burden of proof of negligence,

Valuation,

Terms and conditions apply during move, storage, or delivery from storage,

Exclusions from liability,

Ownership of goods,

Building-Fire-Watchman,

Terms of payment,

General lien for charges,

Notice and proof of loss or damage,

Additional conditions.

Moving Contract

Your mover is required to provide you with a moving contract also known as bill of lading. The bill of lading serves as the receipt for the goods and the contract with mover for transportation. As a general rule, bill of lading is signed by you at the time of pick up, prior to movers starting to load the shipment.

The bill of lading is a key document as it contains the essential terms and conditions of the agreement between you and your mover.

The bill of lading includes the valuation section that indicates a "released value" of the items being transported, that in turn establishes mover's liability for your goods in the event of a loss or damage.

The bill of lading serves to identify the mover and specifies when the transportation is to be performed. It also specifies the terms and conditions for payment of the charges and the maximum amount required to be paid at the time of delivery for shipments moving under non-binding estimates. The bill of lading that is presented to customers, particularly, in case of non-binding estimates, will only be a partially complete copy of the bill of lading when truck leaves the residence at origin. The partially complete bill of lading must contain relevant shipment information - except the actual shipment weight that will be determined after the shipment has been weighed and any other information necessary to determine the final chafges for all services that mover will perform for local or a long distance relocation.

LOCAL BILL OF LADING

Loss or Damage & Filing a Claim

Unfortunately, regardless of how reputalbe the mover may be, losses or damages are a part of moving business. What separates a great mover from its competition is the way they handle their claims. Here are some important steps to properly handle the damages or losses during your relocation.

If you have a loss or damage to your items, be sure to describe such loss or damage on the mover's inventory form or a bill of lading. However, this action doesn't constitute a claim, but this will support your claim to be filed later, as we described below.

If you intend to file a claim for loss or damage to your goods be aware that one of the required documents in support of your claim is a copy of the paid contract aka freight bill or bill of lading. This means before you may file a claim with your mover for loss or damage to your goods, you must pay the mover for all charges due for transportation services. It is because the handling and settlement of the claim is a matter separate from the performance of and payment for the transportation service itself. If you do not pay for the transportation charges, the mover may not honor your claim.

FILING A CLAIM

1. Write the office of your carrier/mover and describe the loss or damage;

2. List separately all missing or damaged items;

3. Note the exact amount you are claiming for each missing or damaged item;

4. Provide the date of your move, the origin and destination, and carrier's contract number.

If the damage is to the packed item, you should retain the box, its contents and the packing materials. This is especially important if you did the packing since you will have to show that bad packing was not the cause of the damages.

Providing copies of the store receipts for the lost of damaged items and professional estimates for repair, will speed up the process of your claim by your mover.

You must retain the copies of all correspondence with the moving company. In addition, all correspondence should be made by registered mail so you can keep Returned Receipts, as proof of the movers receiving your letters. Emailing your claim to the mover's claims department is also an excellent idea, as you will have the record of all communications with your mover about your claim.

You must file your claim, in writing, within 9 months after delivery of the goods or within 9 months after a reasonable time for delivery has elapsed.

In California, Public Utilities Commission governs household moving services, they have specific rules set forth in the Maximum Rate Tariff 4. Your mover is required to acknowledge a receipt of your claim in writing with in 30 days, and must pay, provide you with a firm compromise settlement with in 60 days of receipt of your claim. If some reason beyond your mover's control delays the action for a longer time, the mover is required to notify you in writing within 60 days of receipt of your claim as to its status and the reason for the delay. And again 30 days thereafter until the final action is taken. If your carrier fails to acknowledge your claim in the manner described above you should contact PUC for local California moves or Department of Transportation for interstate moves.

Moving Grandfather Clocks

To ensure safety of the grandfather clock you must secure all accessory components, pack and crate clock and all of its parts, and finally correctly handle it during the move. Movers must use soft gloves or cloth when managing components of the clocks with weights and pendulums with finished bass. We have provided very detailed instructions on how to properly move a grandfather clock.

1. Begin by stopping and removing the pendulum from clock.

2. For the clocks with cable holding the weights – make a loose roll of packing paper approximately 2” in diameter. Hold it above the pulley while the weights are being wound until they stop with the roll of paper jamming system over the pulleys. By completing this procedure you have prevented the cable from tangling while the weights were being removed.

3. For the clocks with chains - raise the weights to the position at which the clock is wound half way, or middle of the clock. A thin wire or string can be used to string the chains together just where they protrude below the movement. Tie the wire together; this will secure the chains in one place and will not allow them to come off their sprockets.

4. Remove and mark the weights so they can be reattached to the exact same position on the clock for re-installation later. For clocks with chains, chains must be secured safely to avoid any damage to the finish.

5. For tubular movements, the tubes must be removed, mark their position for re-installation.

6. Prior to moving the clock - movement must be mounted securely in the case. For some early American and English clocks in which the movement just sets on two side-boards of the case, the movement must be removed from the case.

7. The case and movement must be professionally packed or crated in a solid wooden container.

8. Installation of the clock at the new location – position the case on the flat, solid and stable floor surface; carpets may present a problem if the footing of the case is not completely stable. It is not necessary for the case to be accurately perpendicular to the floor, it must be stable and not rock. Leveling feet are common to some of the bases, and some use small shim to prevent rocking and ensure complete stability of the clock’s base on the floor.

9. 9. If the movement is out of the case, replace it in the same marked position it was in before.

10. Re-attach the pendulum just as was before.

11. Place the weights in the exact position they were before the move. Remove the wire that was used to secure the chains. Remove paper that was used to hold the cables tight or you can just let the clock run until it will fall out.

12. Finish installation by simply swinging your pendulum. Listen to the sound of the cock’s tick tock. Adjust the top of the clock by moving it slightly to the right or left with shims under the feet to get the tick-tock sound balanced out.

Now that the clock is installed, just set the correct time and enjoy it.

Limitations On Mover's Liability

There are a number of articles for which movers carry no liability for their loss or damage.

Such articles include:

• change in condition or flavor of perishables;
• loss or damage caused by customer, including improper packing;
• defect or inherent vice of the product, such as susceptibility to atmospheric changes;
• insects, moth, vermin, ordinary ware and tear, or gradual deterioration;
• mechanical, or electrical derangement of the musical instruments, electronic components or appliances if there is no sign of exterior damage;
• loss or damage as a result of a strike, lock out, labor disturbance, riot, civil commotion, or any act of person or persons taking part in any such occurrence or disorder;
• hostile or warlike action taken in time of peace or war;
• breakage caused by normal handling of china, glassware, bric-a-brac, or other similar items, unless packed by mover;
• mover is not liable for damage or loss occurring after the property has been delivered. When the mover is directed to unload or to deliver property at a place wther the customer or his/her agent is not present, the property shall be at the risk of the owner after unloading or delivery. 
• liability of mover for loss or damage will be subject to your compliance with the rules for filing claims.

More information regarding movers limitations of liability you may get from PUC, in General Order 1 36C.

Estimates

When planning to move, one of the most important things on your to do list is to find and interview three or more reputable movers. The only way to have your prospective mover provide you with a binding (not to exceed estimate) is to ask them to come out to see your shipment in person. A verbal rate quotation is not an estimate. Remember, verbal estimates are not binding and will not protect you from having problems in the future.

On-site estimates should be ordered at least 3 weeks before moving day. This will give you enough time to make the right choice.

When inviting an estimator to review your items, set aside at least 45 minutes for each appointment. When estimator comes to your residence, expect them to take detailed inventory of your goods. They may even measure some of the unusually large or bulky articles. This information is important in determining the right size truck, estimating proper amount of workers for the job, and finally time or weight of shipment, and the cost of your move.

Make sure to get your estimate in writing. The estimate must indicate the services provided and costs. Don't accept a blanket cost per move, as this estimate may not include some of the services you need for movers to perform.

When describing your wishes, be consistent with all estimators you see; this will make it clearer to see the differences between provided estimates. Make sure that estimators see all of your goods that need to be moved, and any special services you require and conditions that may effect the pick up or delivery. It is very important to provide estimators with a clear understanding of the new home, that may effect the delivery. This ensures a more accurate estimate of cost, and reduces the chance of misunderstandings and unexpected charges on moving day.

If your relocation is over 100 constructive miles, or going out of state is considered a long distance move. Long distance moves are charged by the size or weight of the shipment and on constructive miles.

If you are moving under 100 constructive miles, this is considered a local move. Most local moves are charged by the hour. The hourly rate is based on the amount of movers working on your move and possibly size of number of trucks hired by you.

Keep in mind that hourly rate covers any service performed by the movers, not involving special equipment, or non-reusable packing materials. On the other hand, long distance movers will charge extra for packing labor, as it is not included in the basic move estimate by weight or size. On long distance rated shipments there may be additional charge for stairs, long walks, elevators. If it is impossible for the mover park the truck with in 75 feet of the front door, a long carry charge may apply. If the truck is parked with in a few block radius, and goods need to be reloaded in a smaller truck to be brought over to the new residence, the shuttle charges will apply.

If you add items or request services not included in the estimate, the mover will have to provide a Change Order for Service form at the time you request that service.

Shuttle Service and Long Carry

LONG CARRY

There are instances when a regular size moving truck can not get near client's facility or residence, due to many factors:

• narrow streets,
• untrimmed trees,
• unlicensed use of big trucks in the area (island, etc.)

If the truck is parked over 75 feet away from the entrence to the resinence this will be considered a long carry. Long distance mover's tariff provides a special  long carry fee, which your mover should disclose to you as soon as the long carry is discovered.  That's why you should describe your pickup and delivery location to your moving specialist ahead of time to avoid a last minute surprises.

Movers will first try to use their tools and equipment that are available on hand and carry items from/to the location, however if the distance is too great it becomes necessary to provide a shuttle service.

SHUTTLE SERVICE

The movers are required a use of a much smaller truck or cargo van to gain access to client's location.

If shuttle is required at;

Pickup: a smaller truck is sent to the location and loaded with as much items as possible, transported to the regular size moving truck and reloaded into it.

Delivery: a smaller truck is loaded with items from the moving truck and transported to the new location and then delivered to client's facility or residence.

As part of their duties our moving specialists do research to see if there is a possibility of a need for shuttle service. Being unprepared is going to cost both movers and a client a lot of time. Unfortunately, shuttle services are not cheap, however the sooner the mover learn the more time they have to prepare for it.

Once our company learns of a need for shuttle service and in case the delivery/pickup is taken place out of state, where we have no access to our own fleet of small trucks - our specialists will do the following preparation:

• Make a reservation for smaller truck/van from an in town rental agency (as soon as possible to ensure availability and lower rates);
• Upon arrival to town, movers will pickup the truck from rental agency,
• Movers will execute the shuttle and deliver or pick up shipment;
• Return truck to rental agency,
• Pay for the truck rental, which includes (daily rate, miles, and fuel).

The shuttle charges will be added to the contract as accessorial/additional services. 

Shuttle Equipment

Insuring Your Shipment

When planning your move, one of the most important items on the list after finding the best mover, is figuring out the amount of protection you may need for your relocation.

Movers are liable for damages or losses happened during performance of services associated with moving. However, the movers are liable to the extend provided by California Public Utilities Commission (for moves within California), or Surface Transportation Board (for interstate moves). Both agencies have the same basic level of protection requirement for movers.

All movers require to provide you with Basic Valuation Protection/Release Value at no cost to you, however it has very limited protection coverage over your items. To get more protection, you need to purchase additional Valuation Insurance from your mover, or from an insurance company. A reputable mover will do its best protecting your goods, however accidents happen and if you have articles of extraordinary value you need to make certain that you purchase the right amount of valuation protection.

Here are the different options of insurance available to moving customers:

- Basic Valuation/Release Value is a protection of your goods at 60 cents per pound per article. There is no extra charge for this level of protection, however if an article is damaged - the mover's liability is based on articles weight not its value. Example: a TV that is damaged weighs 50 lbs. The mover is liable for $30.00 only.

- Actual Cash Value is a replacement of articles at today's value, based on it today's fair market value.

- Full Value Protection (FVP) is the most comprehensive option for protection of goods. The damages accured while covered under this protection, the customer/shipper will get:

• Article repaired to its working condition;
• Replacement of the article with an article in kind; 
• Payment for the replacement of the article.

Basic Valueation is FREE, it is included in the cost of any move.

Actual Cash Value is $0.95 per $100.00 of insurance coverage.

Full Replacement Value has three options:

   No Deductible  -    $1.65 per $100.00 of insurance coverage.

   $250 Deductible - $1.45 per $100.00 of insurance coverage.

   $500 Deductible - $1.10 per $100.00 of insurance coverage.

A mover can figure out the minimum protection for client's shipment. For smaller shipments the minimum FVP protection is $25,000. If the shipment size/weight is over 5,000 pounds (larger than a 2 bedroom condo), the minimum FVP protection is figured out by $5.00 per 100 lbs of shipment. Example: a shipment that weighs 9,000 lbs (3 bedroom or small 4 bedroom house) will require to get $45,000 coverage or greater. 

The cost of premium varies depending on deductible customer/shipper will choose. Most carriers/movers carry a maximum $500 deductible.

With this deductible premium multiplier is $1.10 (also varies) for $100 of insurance. $45,000 x 1.10 / 100 = $495.00 premium payment.

Customer can always choose higher level of coverage. 

Here is the section of Valuation Protection from Mover's Bill of Lading

(ZOOM IN to read fine print)

Customer must fill out a list of items of extraordinary value:

• Art effects,
• Paintings,
• Crystal,
• Antiques

The list must be submitted and the amount of protection selected prior to commencement of the move. The boxes with fragile and items of extraordinary value must be packed by movers. As they need to inspect their condition prior to boxing them. 

The long distance movers (relocation over 100 miles or going out of state) will inventory all items and mark their condition on the inventory form. Make sure to inspect the forms and the notes made in them. Mover and customer will sign inventory forms. Customer needs to hold on to the copy of bill of lading and inventory forms until the delivery day.

At the delivery - inspect the condition of your items, especially on the extraordinary value list. If you find any damages or losses indicate them on the inventory forms, this will help you when you file an official claim.

Here is a not from PUC booklet (provided to moving customers)

HOW TO FILE A CLAIM

Moving Trucks

A-Z Moving and Storage has a wide range of moving trucks to accommodate local and long distance, small and large, residential and commercial relocation services. Our customers expect us to provide relocation no matter how difficult a situation may be. Our local fleet consists of smaller straight trucks. We really don't need to send a big 24' truck to do a small one bedroom local job, a 14' truck will do just fine. This saves us on fuel, insurance and maintenance. And allows us to pass our savings to our customers in a form of specials and stay competitive in the market place.

We also use small trucks to shuttle loads to our larger trucks in situations where our regular size trucks can not get to customers residence or business location.

LOCAL FLEET

Local fleet is 14', 17', 24' and 26' trucks. Our moving specialists figure out the size of customers load by doing an inventory of their belongings. The goal is to send the right size truck and make sure that everything fits in one load, unless the load is too large for a 26' truck. In that case the customer will be advised that a second trip will be necessary and we can send 2 or more trucks to do the job.

26' TRUCK

 Capacity

 1,625 cubic feet

 Maximum Load: 11,450 lbs.

 Gross Vehicle Weight: 26,000 lbs.

 Empty Weight: 14,550 lbs.

          LONG DISTANCE FLEET

              53' MOVING TRAILER 

      Capacity

    - 5,850 Cubic Feet

    - Gross Vehicle Weight: 80,000 lbs.

    - Empty Weight Including Tractor: 41,200 lbs.

    - Maximum Load: 38,800 lbs.

28' TRUCK

   Capacity

  2,350 cubic feet

  Maximum Load: 16,200 lbs.

  Gross Vehicle Weight: 35,000 lbs.

  Empty Weight: 18,800 lbs.