Skip Hire vs Alternatives

Skip hire is an easy, convenient, and cost-effective way to manage waste from home improvement, garden projects, or decluttering. However, it is not the only option; depending on the volume and type of waste you generate, it might not even be the best option.

We are always happy to help when you need a skip. The following explores some alternatives and the scenarios you might consider.

What skip hire does

Understanding skip hire will help you spot where another solution might be better for your needs. Many people think of skip hire as a product – the skip itself – but it is better to consider it a service.

When you hire a skip, you are paying for the delivery and rental of the skip itself. However, you are also paying for the waste disposal. This will include fees that you might otherwise have to pay directly, as well as sorting the waste to ensure it goes into the correct waste streams.

The variety of skip sizes makes them ideal for waste removal, from small garden clearances to major renovation projects.

Why consider alternatives?

There may be situations where a skip is not ideal.

• Space restrictions. You need to have space for your skip. If you are working on a constrained site or do not have outside space, you might not be able to use a skip.
• Waste volume. The amount of waste you create may not justify a skip or be more cost-effectively handled differently.
• Restrictions and regulations. Some waste cannot be disposed of in a skip. For example, if you dispose of a lot of treated wood, environmental regulations require you to arrange specialist disposal.

What alternative to skip hire is there?

The reasons you may want to consider an alternative to skip hire will also guide you to the best solution for you.

Man and van services

These are often quite literally a man and a van but can range from being just one man and a small van to a team and a large van. These are often ideal when you have a small volume of waste or lots of large bulky items, like furniture.

They offer the benefit of including labour and the convenience of a single visit. However, they are unsuitable for projects that generate larger amounts of waste or produce it over an ongoing period, in which case multiple visits quickly make it an expensive option.

Hippobags

Hippobags are increasingly popular and share many similarities to skips. The large, heavy-duty bags are delivered to your door and collected when full.

They can take a range of waste but have a smaller footprint, so they can work well if you have space constraints. However, there may be more restrictions on what you can put in, and delivery and collections are not always as flexible as traditional skips.

Council collection services

Your local council will also offer special collections as well as domestic rubbish and recycling collection. These vary enormously between councils but will typically include the collection of bulky items or larger-than-normal waste collections.

These are incredibly convenient and can be surprisingly cheap, depending on your council’s fees. However, they are often very limited on what can be collected and may not offer flexibility on collection dates.

Junk clearance operators

Specialist companies will attend, sort, and remove your waste, ensuring it is all disposed of correctly.

The chief benefit of junk clearance is that someone else handles all your waste clearance on your site, saving you time and effort. However, this can make it an expensive option, and you have to work around their booking availability.

Do it yourself

You can just take all your waste to your local tip or recycling centre; every council will have at least one centre you can use.

These have the benefit of being low-cost, or even free, for residents. However, you still have to pay the price for the work you must do to transport and sort your waste. You might find that the time you spend makes other options preferable for large amounts.

Comparing skip hire vs the rest

Some practical factors you might want or need to consider.

• Cost. Skip hire offers a fixed-price solution for dealing with large volumes of waste. However, alternatives will probably be more cost-effective if you do not have enough waste to fill even a mini skip (which can take up to two cubic yards).
• Convenience. Skip hire offers many conveniences, including delivery where you need it and flexible hire, so the skip stays as long as you need it. However, some alternatives might be better depending on your work and situation.
• Waste types. What you want to get rid of will affect your choice. Skips are great for general and mixed waste, but if you need to dispose of specific items or regulated waste, you may want, or even have, to consider other options.

Skip hire – the proven waste management solution

If you are not in a situation that specifically prevents you from using a skip, skip hire is the best solution. We can accommodate every project with sizes ranging from a two-yard mini skip to industrial roll-on roll-off skips. We can offer flexible hire dates, and the single fee covers delivery, removal, and disposal; the only job you will have is filling the skip.

What Skip is always available to help. If you are unsure what skip you need or even if you need one, contact us today, and we can help you identify the best solution for your waste management needs.