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Clovis resident Wes Burgess, co-owner of We Be Sober ride service, has started a new venture with Junk King, a “green” junk removal company servicing the greater Fresno area.

Based out of the San Francisco Bay area, Junk King’s founders have discovered ways to recycle, reuse and repurpose 60 percent of the junk picked up in and around the city, Burgess said. He added that he knows one of the founders personally, and said he was compelled to start a franchise in the Valley because of the need he sees for junk removal in Fresno and rural areas.

“San Francisco has always been on the cutting edge of recycling and being eco-friendly, but there is a great need for this in Fresno also,” Burgess said. “Agriculture in the Valley is No. 1. We’re the largest producer in the world. Some abuse this by dumping their trash out in the rural areas, leaving farmers to clean up their mess. I plan to team up with agriculture associations to help them clean up these rural areas in addition to just cleaning up the city.”

Cleaning up is just step one for the new king of junk. After loading up his truck, Burgess takes the junk back to a large warehouse where materials are sorted to determine what can be recycled. Items like furniture that can be cleaned and repaired will be donated to the Salvation Army or AMVETS, Burgess said.

“The focus of Junk King is to recycle, reuse and repurpose whatever we can and donate items to extend their life,” Burgess said. “Old furniture gets dumped but there are people in need who would love to have it. One person’s junk can be someone else’s gold.”

Helping those in need is one reason Burgess said he is passionate about Junk King. While he has worn many hats, working in telecommunications, construction and the tree service industries, Burgess said helping people through We Be Sober, and now through Junk King, has been the highlight of his career.

“I like to help the community and those in need,” Burgess said.

Those in need of Junk King’s cleanup services can call 888-JUNK or schedule a pick-up time online at junk-king.com.