What can and can’t I put into a skip?

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Acceptable Waste - bricks and rubble, metal, non-electrical fittings, construction waste, soil, garden waste, wood, domestic waste, furniture, plastic, plasterboard (only if contained in heavy duty specialist bags, or in a separate skip).

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Prohibited Waste - asbestos, batteries (household and vehicle), compressed gas cylinders (full or empty), computer towers, computer screens, electrical equipment (e.g. cookers, fans), explosives, fluorescent tubes, fridges, medical waste of any kind, microwaves, oils (hydraulic oil, engine oil, cooking oil), other chemicals (e.g. bleach, detergents, processing fluids), paint tins (unless completely empty), plasterboard (cannot be skipped with mixed waste), solvents (e.g. paint, glue), toasters, televisions, telephones, tyres.

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Why can’t you put plasterboard into a skip with other waste?

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In 2011, there was a change in legislation that meant that plasterboard and other gypsum products must be disposed of separately to mixed waste. This is because research showed that in a mixed waste setting, dangerous gases were emitted during decomposition. As such, plasterboard is no longer permitted in a skip with other waste, and should be disposed of separately. We have special plasterboard bags which can be used to ensure your plasterboard does not mix with your general waste.

 

If you have a considerable amount of plasterboard that you will need to dispose, it may be a good idea to order a second skip that is solely used for your plasterboard. We can supply various sizes of skip and send the plasterboard to a recycling facility. 

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Are there any access issues for skip lorries?

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As a guide, your drive or skip location needs to be 2.76 metres wide (9.0 ft.), and bear in mind that the weight of a skip lorry is at least 7.5 tonnes so the ground needs to be durable enough to endure that sort of pressure. Soft tarmac and block paved driveways can occasionally be marked or damaged when placing skips on them; heavier skips require stabilising equipment which could also potentially cause damage. This can normally be avoided by placing scaffold planks or larger pieces of wood where the skip is to be positioned.

 

Roll-on roll-off skips require a specialist hook-loader skip lorry. Due to the size of these skips, they require a large area for unloading. Roll-on Roll-off skips also need a flat and hard surface (such as concrete or tarmac) for loading and unloading. They require sufficient site access for them to be stored, delivered and picked up. Access must be at least 2.76m (9.0ft) wide and the drop area must be at least 6.15m (20.0ft) in length, with an additional 6.15m (20.0ft) for delivery/collection.

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Are there skip weight limits?

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As a general rule, the weight limit of a skip can be determined by assuming that each cubic yard of waste will equal approximately 1 tonne. As such, a 2-yard skip will hold 2 tonnes, and an 8-yard skip will hold 8 tonnes. Whilst skips ranging from 2 to 8-yards can normally be filled to the load level with heavy materials, such as dirt and rubble, larger skips greater than 8-yards should generally be filled with a combination of heavy and light waste, due to weight carrying limitations of the loading truck.

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Why are skip prices higher for denser, heavier materials?

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Waste disposal fees are based on weight not volume of waste. The heavier the material, the more it costs to dispose of. So skip loads comprising denser, heavier materials cost more than lighter loads of bulkier waste. 

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Who is responsible for the skip waste?

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The client is legally responsible for the contents of the skip that they hire. They need to ensure that the waste disposed in the skip is suitable for general disposal and that the skip is not overloaded. If they are sharing a skip with a neighbour, they will also need to ensure that their waste is suitable.

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What happens if the skip is overloaded?

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An overloaded skip is illegal. The contents of a skip should not exceed the height of the skip’s sides. Using boards around the side of the skip in an attempt to increase its capacity is illegal.

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If the skip is overloaded, the skip lorry driver reserves the right to either remove the excess waste from the skip, or refuse to remove the skip altogether. The latter may incur a wasted journey charge.

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Are there any important safety measures?

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To ensure the skip is used safely, there are a few measures and rules that should be followed. Some are carried out by the us, the skip provider and others are the responsibility of the customer. It is important that skip hire rules and regulations are followed to ensure the public’s safety.

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It is important the skip contents do not protrude outside of the skip. This could pose a hazard for both pedestrians and road users when the skip is placed on a road or publicly accessible land. It is also important that skips are not overloaded, as items can be hazardous if they fall out during transit.

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Cones and amber lights should surround the skip if sited on a road or publicly accessible land, making it more visible at night. The skip should also have reflective markers along the sides. This is the responsibility of us, the skip provider, and is often a requirement in order to obtain a council skip permit or license.

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Skips should not be placed on pavements that block pedestrian access, in front of driveways, over manhole covers, drains, grates or obstruct other access points. Skips should be positioned at least 15.0m from a junction.

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Hired skips should not be filled with waste that pose the risk of fire, explosion or present a health or environmental hazard. If you have any doubts, you should contact us, your skip provider.

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Can I have a fire in the skip?

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Fires are forbidden in any skip. Not only does fire cause damage to the skip and paintwork, but it is also a contravention of the fire safety guidelines. If somebody lights a fire in a skip, they will be liable for damages and may be prosecuted by the Environmental Agency. 

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Payments?

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You can pay by credit/debit card over the telephone when booking your skip or we also accept cash or cheque on delivery.  However, the cheque must have cleared before the skip will be collected. We accept Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, American Express, cheque, and cash.