From Heaps to Hope: Anthony Garifo Turns Junk Removal Into Community Service

by Jane Stahl

I shared a B Inspired conversation I had with Anthony Garifo exactly a month ago, but I am reminded that during January and February many of us get the "itch" to declutter. And so, it may be helpful to some of our readers to be reminded of the services offered by Heaps and Bounds / Bits and Pieces. 

When Anthony Garifo launched his junk removal business just over two months ago, he did not expect to measure his early success in tons—literally. Yet in roughly 70 days, Garifo estimates he has hauled away more than 11 tons of discarded furniture, appliances, construction debris, and assorted odds and ends, all on his own.

Anthony  is the founder of Heaps and Bounds / Bits and Pieces, a one-man junk furniture and appliance removal operation that is quickly finding a niche by doing what many homeowners cannot—or simply do not want to—do themselves: confront the overwhelming piles of unwanted items that accumulate over time.

“I’m basically everything you want to get rid of,”  Anthony explained during our recent B Inspired podcast episode. “I come and get rid of it for you.”

A Business Built on Sweat Equity

Unlike many junk removal companies that arrive with crews and large trucks, Garifo operates solo. He personally handles every couch, refrigerator, stove, and slab of granite countertop that comes his way. That hands-on approach is central to both his business model and his personal philosophy.

Some of the items he removes are particularly daunting—400-pound reclining couches reinforced with metal frames, heavy appliances, and dense construction materials. To get them out of tight spaces, Garifo often dismantles items piece by piece.

“I destroy everything that I remove if I need to do that to get it out,” he said matter-of-factly.

The physical demands are significant, requiring strength, endurance, and problem-solving skills. ; fitness is not optional in this line of work. He admits,  “I have to be fit in order to do anything that I’m doing.”

More Than Just Trash

What sets Anthony apart is not just his willingness to do grueling work alone, but the thought he gives to what happens after items leave a client’s home. While some materials must be dumped at a cost, others can be repurposed.

Garifo donates usable items whenever possible, making sure they go to appropriate organizations. Scrap metal, such as old engines or metal components from furniture, is taken to local scrap yards. The modest income from scrapping does not generate large profits, but it offsets operating expenses. He shares, “It can help pay for my gas; I don’t make a ton from scrapping, but it helps.”

That practical, sustainability-minded approach has earned him an affectionate nickname from the podcast host: “the scrapper.”

Inspired by a Community Need

The inspiration behind Heaps and Bounds / Bits and Pieces grew out of a simple observation: many people are overwhelmed by clutter but lack the physical ability, time, or resources to deal with it. Whether downsizing, renovating, or clearing out years of accumulation, they need reliable help.

Anthony saw an opportunity to fill that gap with a service that combines physical labor, logistical know-how, and respect for clients’ spaces and belongings. By keeping operations lean and personal, he is able to offer flexibility and direct accountability—clients deal with the owner from start to finish.

Early Momentum, Clear Direction

In just a short time, he has removed everything from motorcycle engines to granite countertops, steadily building a reputation for tackling jobs others avoid. The sheer volume—11 tons in about two months—underscores both the demand for the service and his commitment to meeting it.

While the work is not glamorous, it is tangible and meaningful. Every cleared room, emptied garage, or hauled-away appliance represents relief for a customer and progress for a young business built on hard work.

I was reminded that sometimes entrepreneurship does not start with a boardroom plan or major investment. Sometimes it begins with a truck, determination, and a willingness to take on the heavy lifting—one heap at a time.

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