Article posted: 11/30/2012 10:20 AM

Moving Picture: Junk is Mount Prospect man’s specialty

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Glen Hansen lets a player piano fall in the driveway of a Schaumburg home as his helper, Mauro Pugo, looks on. The impact will help loosen glue joints making demolition easier. Hansen works for Art's Junk Removal in Mount Prospect.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

"I have got about 700 years bad luck," jokes Glen Hansen, moments before he tosses a mirror into his trailer, shattering it.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

Glen Hansen's strains to lift his end of a heavy player piano from the 1920s.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

A player piano that has been sawed and smashed with a sledgehammer will be packed into the van for disposal.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

Glen Hansen cuts pianos wires with a grinder during the piano's deconstruction.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

"Almost kind of nice, but … " says Glen Hansen as he looks at a couple old pieces of art. "I've got a lot of nice oil paintings on my walls that nobody wanted." Both pieces ended up at the recycling center.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

Glen Hansen works his way through assorted junk from a Mount Prospect home.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Glen Hansen wants your junk. Working for Art's Junk Removal, a Mount Prospect business started by his father Art, Hansen spends his days desmantling, destroying and removing the junk stored in homes, condos, apartments and garages all over the northwest suburbs. The physically demanding task of moving thousands of pounds of junk each week takes its toll on Hansen, but he's learned over time how to minimize the stress on his body. Occasionally, he hires help, but "Crews cost money," he says.