About MrJunk® | Meet the Crew, the Story, and the Muscle Behind MO & IL’s Favorite Junk Haulers
Learn The MrJunk® Story & Meet Our Local Area Owners
Ever wonder what it takes to become Missouri and Illinois‘ most trusted junk removal crew?
Well, grab a cup of coffee (and maybe clear a spot on your couch), because we’re about to tell you exactly how a Columbia guy named Dax turned a simple idea into a 20-year legacy of hauling away everything from mystery basement collections to neon flamingos that somehow ended up in corporate break rooms.
We’re MrJunk®, the original, trademarked, no-substitutions-accepted junk removal service that’s been keeping Missouri and Illinois cleaner and greener since 2005.
We’ve hauled everything from haunted filing cabinets (seriously, that thing made noises) to exercise bikes still wrapped in plastic from 1987. We’ve been featured on A&E’s “Hoarders,” made appearances on FOX and ABC, and somehow managed to build a reputation for showing up on time, working with a smile, and never judging your collection of vintage takeout containers.
But here’s the thing that makes us different from those big corporate haulers with their mysterious “volume pricing” and four-hour service windows, we’re family. Real family. The kind that actually likes hanging out together and genuinely cares about helping people get their lives back from the chaos of accumulated stuff.
We’re not just removing junk; we’re moving you forward and giving back your space – the space you deserve.
How MrJunk® Got Its Start (And Why People Still Call Us First 20 Years Later)
Back in 2005, Dax Rozell had a vision that was probably considered crazy by usual business standards: build a junk removal company that actually treats people like neighbors instead of transaction numbers. People doubted him, doubted it would work, doubted it was needed, and then so many started copying him.
He started MrJunk® right here in Columbia, Missouri, with the simple promise that we’d do all the lifting, loading, and hauling so you don’t have to. That’s right, others can claim they have been here as long, but it wouldn’t be true, Dax was the first on the scene.
Twenty-plus years later, that same promise drives everything we do.
We’ve built our reputation one satisfied customer at a time, earning thousands of 5-star reviews by showing up when we say we will, charging exactly what we quote, and treating every property like it belongs to our own family. We’ve expanded across Missouri and into Illinois, but we’ve never lost that hometown feel that made people trust us in the first place.
The secret? We actually live in the communities we serve. We shop at the same stores, our kids go to the same schools, and when you call us, you’re not getting some faceless corporate call center; you’re getting people who genuinely care about helping their neighbors.
Along the way, Dax found a few trusted friends, top-tier team leads, and collected a whole lot of good stories that we probably shouldn’t tell at dinner parties.
Meet the Owners
Dax Rozell — Founder & Area Owner, Columbia and Central Missouri

Dax is the guy who started this whole adventure over 20 years ago, and he’s still the heart and soul of MrJunk® today. As a Columbia native with deep family roots in central Missouri, he built MrJunk® around the simple idea that junk removal should be about helping people, not just moving stuff around.
You’ll often see Dax’s kids and family helping out around the operation — because when you’re family-owned, everyone pitches in. He’s the mastermind behind our dumpster rental services (the only MrJunk® owner offering them, by the way), and if you’re interested in bringing MrJunk® to your area, Dax is your guy for franchise license requests.
Fun fact: Dax once removed a bathtub that had been converted into a living room couch. We still don’t ask questions about how people’s minds work — we just show up and make the problems disappear.
When he’s not running the Columbia operation, you can find Dax figuring out new ways to help families transition through major life changes, supporting local youth sports (quietly, because that’s how he rolls), and occasionally shaking his head at the creative ways people repurpose old appliances.
Chris Miller — Local Area Owner, Lake of the Ozarks & Jefferson City

Chris has been Dax’s friend for over 25 years, which means he’s seen enough of Dax’s questionable decisions to know that MrJunk® wasn’t one of them. He joined the team in 2022 to bring the MrJunk® difference to the Lake Ozark region, and he’s been making boat-related junk disappear like magic ever since.
If you’ve got a lake house cleanout, a campground project, or just need someone who understands the unique challenges of lake life (like “how did this pontoon boat end up in my garage?”), Chris is your guy. He brings small-town integrity, big energy, and an uncanny ability to make the most complicated removal projects look easy.
Chris covers everything from Jefferson City‘s historic neighborhoods to the most remote lake properties, and he’s become legendary for showing up with solutions to problems that other companies wouldn’t even attempt. He’s the guy who once figured out how to remove a hot tub from a second-story deck without a crane.
Trust us, you don’t want to know how it got up there in the first place.
Trevor Brown — Local Area Owner, St. Louis Metro, St. Charles & Alton, IL

Trevor started as one of Dax’s top team leads in Columbia, which means he learned the MrJunk® way from the ground up. When the opportunity came to expand into Illinois and the St. Louis region, Trevor and his wife Lindsey packed up their family, moved to Godfrey, Illinois, and brought the MrJunk® standard of excellence across state lines.
Now Trevor covers everything from Alton and Edwardsville to St. Louis, O’Fallon, and all the communities in between. He’s known for bringing humor, hustle, and serious organizational skills to every job site. If you’ve ever seen a MrJunk® review response with emojis and dad jokes, that’s probably Trevor.
Trevor’s the guy who once removed 47 king and queen-size mattresses from a single motel (apparently every room was getting a fast upgrade), and he somehow managed to fit them all in the truck with room to spare. His secret weapons? Strategic Tetris skills and the ability to make even the most stressed-out customers laugh during their worst cleanup days.
All of our owners are likely to text you before-and-after photos because they’re genuinely proud of the transformations their teams create.
Why Missouri & Illinois Homeowners, Renters, and Business Owners Call Us First
After 20 years in this business, we’ve pretty much seen it all. Here’s who keeps our trucks busy and our team entertained:
- Homeowners dealing with moving chaos, remodeling disasters, or the aftermath of life transitions
- Renters and landlords navigating the mysterious items left behind between tenants
- Small businesses and contractors who need reliable partners for commercial cleanouts
- Property managers juggling multiple locations and impossible timelines
- Real estate professionals prepping homes for sale (because curb appeal matters)
- Families handling storage cleanouts, hoarding situations, and estate transitions
- Cities, municipalities, and public departments with specialized disposal needs
If it’s heavy, awkward, or covered in mystery goo, it’s probably our specialty.
The truth is, people call us when they need more than just muscle. They call us when they need problem-solvers who show up with the right equipment, the right attitude, and the right experience to handle whatever chaos they’re facing. We’re the crew that doesn’t blink when you say, “I have no idea how that got there, but can you get it out?”
What We Haul — From One Item to Whole Properties
We Take Almost Everything:
- Furniture (from antique armoires to that recliner that’s seen better decades)
- Appliances (working or not, we’ve got the muscle for it)
- Electronics (properly recycled, because the environment matters)
- Yard debris (nature’s revenge on your weekend plans)
- Construction debris (when DIY projects become “please help” projects)
- Commercial equipment (offices, restaurants, industrial facilities)
- Specialty cleanouts (hoarding, estates, foreclosures)
- Pretty much anything that’s taking up space and needs to go
What We Don’t Take (Without Special Prep):
- Live electrical items still wired into your house
- Biohazards and medical waste (we’re strong, not crazy)
- Hazardous materials without proper clearance
- Active pest infestations (we handle junk, not wildlife relocations)
Want to see the complete list?
Check out our Items We Take page, where we break down exactly what we handle and how we make it disappear responsibly.
Background Checked, Uniformed, & Full of Good Vibes
Every person who shows up wearing a MrJunk® uniform has been background-checked, properly trained, and selected for their ability to handle your property with respect. Our crew size depends on your project; sometimes it’s two guys with a truck, sometimes it’s a whole team with specialized equipment.
We show up clean, on time, and ready to handle whatever mess you’re facing without an ounce of judgment. Whether your garage resembles a retail store that has exploded or your office filing system has achieved sentience, we’ve seen worse. Probably last week.
Some of our team members bring the muscle, others bring the playlists. Either way, your junk won’t stand a chance, and you might actually enjoy watching the transformation happen.
Our teams are trained to protect your property during removal, clean up after themselves, and leave your space looking better than when they arrived. We’re not just hauling away your unwanted items, we’re giving you back your space and your peace of mind.
24/7 Answering, Real-Time Support & Emergency Help
Here’s something that sets us apart from the big corporate haulers: when you call MrJunk®, a real person answers. Not a call center in another time zone, not a robotic phone tree that makes you want to throw your phone into the pile of junk you’re trying to remove.
Our US-based team answers calls 24/7, even on holidays, because emergencies don’t respect business hours. Whether you’re dealing with storm damage, a sudden move, or a situation that just can’t wait until Monday, we do our best to help when you need us most.
Weather delays? We’ll text you ahead of time and keep you posted. Need to reach your area owner directly? Each owner provides personal cell access for their region. Emergency situation? We prioritize based on urgency and availability, because sometimes “later” isn’t an option.
Check out our 24/7 Answering & Emergency Services page to see exactly how we keep ourselves available when life gets complicated.
Seen On TV. Loved in Real Life.
Over the years, we’ve managed to get some pretty cool recognition for what we do:
- A&E’s “Hoarders” (where we learned that every cleanup tells a story)
- FOX News appearances
- ABC feature segments
- Local newspapers and community blogs throughout our service areas
- Customer photo galleries that showcase some pretty amazing transformations
One time, we made it on the news, and it wasn’t even because of what we found in that attic. (Though that story is definitely worth telling over coffee sometime.)
Want to see more?
Visit our Media & Videos page where we share some of our favorite moments, customer stories, and maybe a few behind-the-scenes clips that’ll make you appreciate having a clean, organized space.
Ready to Run a MrJunk® Location of Your Own?
Think you’ve got what it takes to bring the MrJunk® difference to your community? We’re always looking for the right people to expand our family-owned network. No crazy franchise fees, no mandatory $80,000 trucks, and no corporate nonsense that gets between you and actually helping people.
Just proven systems, protected licensing, and local territory where you can build something meaningful while making your community cleaner and greener.
Interested?
Check out our Franchise License Request page and let’s talk about what it takes to become part of the MrJunk® family.
MrJunk® Makes The Junk Disappear — The Local Way
After 20 years of helping families, businesses, and communities reclaim their spaces, we’ve learned that junk removal is about way more than just moving stuff around. It’s about helping people move forward during major life transitions, supporting businesses when they need reliable partners, and being there when our neighbors need a hand.
We don’t just clear out spaces — we lift stress, one load at a time.
Ready to get started?
Here’s how to reach us:
Call Us: (573) 886-JUNK for Columbia/Central Missouri, (314) 673-JUNK for Alton, IL/St. Louis/St. Charles’ areas, or your local number for the Lake Ozark region
Text Us: Same numbers, because sometimes texting is easier
Complete a Junk Request & Free Estimate Online: Quick, easy scheduling that works around your life
Want to see what other people are saying about us? Check out our customer reviews page and see why thousands of families and businesses have made MrJunk® their go-to solution for getting their lives back from clutter chaos.
Because when Missouri and Illinois need junk removal done right, they call the family that’s been doing it right for over 20 years.
5-Star Rated 1, 2, 3, Process (No Corporate Nonsense)
No hidden fees. No disposal charges. Just one simple price, and we take it all away. We do all the lifting, loading, and hauling so you don’t have to.



MrJunk® – Proven Results Across MO & IL
The numbers don’t lie. When Missouri and Illinois families need junk gone, they call us first, and they keep calling us back. Whether it’s a single broken appliance, hot tub removal, or a complete property transformation, we’ve built our reputation on doing exactly what we promise, when we promise it.
Average Customer Satisfaction Rating

Thousands of Happy Customers

Yelp, FB, Google, Nextdoor , Top Rated® & more…
Family-Owned Junk Removal Experts

Fast & Easy Junk Removal
We’re not just the oldest locally-owned junk removal company in Mid-Missouri, we’re the most trusted. Recommended by neighbors who’ve watched us transform their most overwhelming spaces into clean, organized environments they can’t wait to use again.


Licensed, Insured, & Locally Trusted
We’re the original MrJunk®, not a franchise, not some fly-by-night operation. Dax started this company in Columbia back in 2005, and we’ve been building our reputation one satisfied customer at a time ever since. When you call us, you’re getting the team that’s been perfecting junk removal across Missouri and Illinois for over two decades.
Keeping Missouri & Illinois Cleaner & Greener
We don’t just haul your stuff away and call it a day. After 20+ years in this business, we’ve built partnerships with local charities throughout Missouri and Illinois because we know that one person’s junk is often another family’s treasure. Here’s what actually happens to your stuff: We donate what we can to local organizations, recycle electronics and metals properly, and dispose of the rest responsibly at licensed facilities. Because keeping our communities clean isn’t just good business, it’s what we do!
MrJunk® Serves Over 100 Areas & Locations In Missouri & Illinois With Local Owners
We’ve been serving Missouri and Illinois since 2005, with local owners who actually live in the communities we serve. From Columbia where it all started, to Lake of the Ozarks, St. Louis, and across the river to Illinois – when you call us, you’re getting neighbors who know your area and can be there when you need us. Click on any location below to learn more about MrJunk® in your area and schedule your FREE junk removal estimate.
Look For Us Around Town
You’ll see our trucks all over Missouri and Illinois – we’re out there every day helping families and businesses get their spaces back. Wave if you see us, we’ll definitely wave back. After 20+ years in this business, we’ve learned that the best part isn’t just hauling junk away – it’s seeing people actually use their garages again, or finally have that basement they can walk through without playing Tetris. We’re local, we’re family-owned, and we genuinely enjoy helping our neighbors solve their junk problems. Ready to get your space back? Give us a call. MrJunk® will be there when you need us.








573-886-5865

Thinking About Bringing A MrJunk® To Your Area?
After 20+ years building MrJunk® from a single truck in Columbia to serving communities across Missouri and Illinois, we’ve learned what works. If you’re interested in bringing our proven approach to junk removal to your community, let’s talk.
We’re not a typical franchise operation with massive fees and corporate requirements. We’re looking for the right people who want to build something meaningful in their local area while being part of the MrJunk® family.
- Proven business model that’s been working since 2005.
- Marketing, training, and support from people who actually run trucks.
- The MrJunk® name and reputation you can build on with a protected area.
5-Star Service Every Single Time!

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