Heath Nixon’s new EcoJunk business helps people clear out junk and free up space. Photo / Jenny Ling
Heath Nixon’s new EcoJunk business helps people clear out junk and free up space. Photo / Jenny Ling
Heath Nixon’s EcoJunk venture isn’t all about turning trash into treasure – the Northland entrepreneur just wants to remove people’s junk and give them their space back.
The new family-run junk removal and decluttering service, based in Kerikeri, collects unwanted household items, furniture, appliances, and general clutter.
Nixonand his wife Eva then sort and recycle whatever they can to minimise what ends up in landfill.
He said the idea came about as his other business restoring decks – called Nixons Deck Protect – is weather dependent, and he needed another source of income when it rained.
Nixon started the waste management company in October and has already had enquiries from property managers who have had tenants leave rentals, and all their junk, behind.
EcoJunk is a Kerikeri, family-run, junk removal service which collects unwanted household items, furniture, appliances, and general clutter.
The business also benefits people downsizing, moving office, clearing out deceased estates, or spring cleaning.
Nixon donates good quality items to several charity op shops around town, takes some stuff to recycling stations, drops off scrap metal at scrap metal yards, and up-cycles and resells items worth salvaging.
He said the service is great for those without trailers and towbars, and people who don’t want the hassle and expense of hiring a skip.
Many people don’t want to sell items on Facebook Marketplace anymore “because of the danger” of inviting strangers to your home and the potential for payment and phishing scams, he said.
“Not everyone has a towbar and a trailer.
“Ultimately, it gives people back their space.
“People can park their cars in the carport or garage again.”
Nixon said fly-tipping – illegally dumping waste - was a “serious issue” in the Far North.
Earlier this month, the Northern Advocate reported the Far North District Council [FNDC] collects about 1351.5 cubic metres of illegally dumped waste a year, costing ratepayers $116,000 annually.
The council adopted the Solid Waste Strategy 2025–2050 and Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2025–2031 to make it easier to manage trash and recycling.
Since Northland Waste took over the independent contract in August, it now costs $91 a year, $53 for six months, or $9.20 per month for kerbside recycling.
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.
