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The Columbia Junk Hauling Business That Started With a Simple Goal: Teach Kids How to Work!

Issue #618

November 26, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Weather - Sunny w/ high of 50, low of 33

✨ LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 👇

📰 The Columbia Junk Hauling Business That Started With a Simple Goal: Teach Kids How to Work!

🦃 No One Eats Alone: Free Thanksgiving Meal Events Happening This Week

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

The Columbia Junk Hauling Business That Started With a Simple Goal: Teach Kids How to Work!

Chad Poynor and the Clean Sweep family!

When Chad Poynor started Clean Sweep Junk Hauling in 2006, he wasn't trying to build a business empire. He was working full-time at General Motors and had a different mission in mind—making sure his three young kids knew how to work.

"I had seen kids that didn't know how to work," Chad said. "You can't just walk up and say, hey, I know how to work, because you don't. You've got to learn that."

His kids played a lot of sports, so they didn't have much time for traditional jobs. But Chad figured if he controlled the work, they could learn anyway. So he bought some cleanup contracts and started a side business doing construction site cleanup around Maury County.

Nineteen years later, that side hustle has turned into a full-time operation with 10 dump trailers, rental dumpsters, a skid steer, and more cleanup jobs than Chad ever imagined when he started.

And two of his three kids? They're still working for dad.

From Side Gig to Full-Time Business…

For the first several years, Clean Sweep was strictly a side project. Chad worked for GM and did cleanup work on the side, mostly clearing construction sites that already had their own dumpsters.

Then one day around 2010, the contractor they were working with said something that changed everything. "Boy, I wish you had some dumpsters," Chad recalled him saying.

Chad and his son looked at each other. "There ain't no reason. We just ain't never bought them."

So they bought five or six dumpsters to see how it would go. That opened up a whole new side of the business—not just cleanup work, but hauling and rental services too.

When Chad retired in 2019 after 32 years, he was too young to sit at home. He'd always been someone who worked, always had a side job. So he turned his side job into his full-time career.

"I read an article flying home because I had to work in Michigan for three years," Chad said. "I was reading an article on the 1-800 junk guy. And he was talking about, you know, this is what I'm doing and this is how I'm doing it. And he threw out some number—I think it was $1.8 million. And I'm like, $1.8 million hauling junk? And I thought that's crazy."

Chad figured he'd be happy making a hundred thousand dollars. The business has done well since then, growing steadily through word of mouth and good old-fashioned hard work.

Before / After pictures showing a few of the types of jobs that Clean Sweep handles.

The Family Operation

Chad's youngest daughter, Ashlyn Poynor, now works for him full-time doing billing and office work. His son recently came over to work with the business too. Even his wife has "quit five times," Chad jokes, but she keeps coming back to help.

"It's actually hard work," Chad said. "It's not like I'm sitting in an office. You gotta want to work. In the summertime, it's a hundred degrees and you're getting dirty. Trash is dirty, bottom line."

The family aspect has been key to Clean Sweep's success. When big jobs come up that need extra hands, Chad can call his kids. "Eighty percent of the time, they're right there helping us," he said.

It's exactly what he set out to teach them all those years ago—and it worked. "They're all not afraid to work now," Chad said. "And I think it worked well for my three kids."

More Than Just Hauling Junk

What started as construction cleanup has expanded into just about every type of cleanup and hauling you can imagine.

Clean Sweep does garage cleanouts, attic cleanups, basement jobs, furniture haul-offs, hot tub removal, swimming pool teardowns, shed demolition, and commercial work for companies like Dollar General, Kroger, and Ross. They've recently added skid steer services for things like overgrown property cleanup, driveway repair, and pole barn pad preparation.

"We do all kinds of stuff," Chad said. "If you can think you can throw it away or you want to dispose of it, we can do it."

The business works with house flippers throughout the region, handles moves for families downsizing, and clears out properties for people who've inherited homes from relatives.

Chad's service area extends about 50 miles in any direction from Columbia—covering Maury County, parts of Williamson County, Marshall County, and beyond.

The Trash Business Isn't What You Think…

Most people don't realize how complex the trash business actually is. Chad has learned that the hard way over 19 years.

"One thing people do with trash, they associate it that it's like free and it's cheap," Chad said. "But it's nowhere near cheap."

Everything Clean Sweep hauls gets taken to dumping stations, where it's weighed and charged by the ton. From there, another company trucks it to the nearest landfill—which happens to be in Athens, Alabama. Last year alone, Chad disposed of 646 tons of debris and spent about $75,000 just in dumping fees.

When he started in 2006, he could take a couch to the dump for $14. Now private dumping stations have minimums around $74, which means he has to collect multiple items to make trips cost-effective.

The rules are different depending on which county you're in. Commercial haulers like Clean Sweep can't use the resident-only dumping stations, even though they're hauling residential trash. It's a system that works, but it's far more complicated than most people realize.

"Last Thursday, I think we went to the dump five times," Chad said. "That's how busy we've been."

The Human Side of Cleanup

Some of the most meaningful work Clean Sweep does involves helping people who've let things get away from them—hoarding situations where folks need compassion as much as cleanup.

"In the last six months, we've done five hoarding houses," Chad said. "And I really like helping those folks because they need some help. For whatever reason they've got to that point, something's happened to them in their life."

He's seen it all—piles of McDonald's wrappers and soda cups stacked in corners, homes filled floor to ceiling with belongings, situations that seem overwhelming to the people living in them.

"You wouldn't believe some of the people after you've went in and tore out their carpet and made everything decent again," Chad said. "They're so happy, the smile on their face."

Clean Sweep has also found some surprising things over the years—guns, Purple Hearts, Navy swords, gold class rings, pocket knives, and cash hidden in couches and forgotten in attics. Chad always returns what they find to the owners or their families.

"It's not our stuff," he said. "And that's the main thing—they've got to trust you. I want you to be a customer for life. I'm not trying to get rich on one job."

Nineteen Years and Counting

The business has changed a lot since 2006. There's more competition now, with new junk hauling companies popping up regularly. Some make it, many don't.

"There's a lot that have come and they've already went out of business," Chad said. "It's a tough business. It's a good business to get into, but it's actually hard work."

Clean Sweep has survived and grown by sticking to the basics—showing up, working hard, treating people right, and building trust one job at a time.

The recent addition of the skid steer has opened up new possibilities. Chad and his team are excited about expanding into property cleanup, driveway work, and storm-related jobs. It's a new chapter for a business that's always been about adapting and growing.

"I'm hoping we're here for another 19," Chad said.

Clean Sweep Junk Hauling serves Maury County and surrounding areas within 50 miles of Columbia. For a full list of services or to schedule a pickup, visit their website or call 931-446-6142

Watch the full interview with Chad here.

No One Eats Alone: Free Thanksgiving Meal Events Happening This Week

Thanksgiving can be a joyful day — but it can also be a hard one. If you or someone you know needs a warm meal, friendly faces, or simply a place to feel welcome, our community has several free Thanksgiving meal options available this Thursday. Here’s where you can go to share a plate and some kindness.

We're thrilled to announce that we have openings for Thanksgiving Day delivery requests! If you're in need of a meal and can't make it to the restaurant, you can sign up to request delivery and our amazing volunteers will bring it right to your door! If you're able to join us in person or pick up a meal, please do - no sign-up required! And the best part? The food is absolutely free, thanks to the hard work of our incredible community! If you're a first responder working on Thanksgiving, elderly, alone, struggling to cook, or facing food insecurity, you're warmly invited to join us this Thursday from 11am-3pm. Let's come together to make this Thanksgiving one to remember! \ 2003 Wall Street, Spring Hill TN | 615-302-4808

True Vine Fellowship M.B. Church invites you to our Thanksgiving Ministry Dinner on Thursday, November 27, 2025, from 10 AM - 12 PM at 1028 Mapleash Ave., Columbia, TN. Whether you’d like to dine in, pick up a plate to go, or have a meal delivered, we’d love to bless you this holiday season! Let’s come together in gratitude, fellowship, and love — giving thanks for all God has done. 

If you or someone you know is in need of a warm, traditional Thanksgiving meal, please join us for The Grateful Plate hosted by Burning Acre Co.! We believe everyone deserves a hot meal and a little warmth this holiday season. Come share a plate with us.

What: A free Thanksgiving meal for those in need.
When: Thursday, November 27th, from 12 PM to 4 PM
Where: 1040 #107 N James Campbell Blvd, Columbia, TN (Look for the Burning Acre Co. location)

No sign-up is required. Just come as you are. We look forward to seeing you and sharing a meal.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, November 26th

Thursday, November 27th 🦃 Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Friday, November 28th

Saturday, November 29th 👉 Small Business Saturday! 👈

Sunday, November 30th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, November 27

Todd Ciprian - Tito’s Spring Hill, 6–9 PM

Friday, November 28

The Nature Project - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Brandt Archer & Damien Boggs - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
John Siegel - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Eaglemaniacs - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Smokin’ Peas - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, November 29

Jason Stout Acoustic - Grinder’s Switch, 5–7 PM
Murphy Ridge - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Song Writers Round - Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
The Howlin’ Brothers - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
TBA - The Boondox, 8 PM
Zone Status - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk