What Can you put in a Skip?

We are here to make skip-hire easy. Whatever your requirements, our friendly team can take you through the process. But although we make skip hire effortless, there is still a lot to think about.

This skip hire guide covers the basics and will have everything you need to know. However, you should be aware that local regulations and requirements vary, so it is always important to check with your skip-hire company to ensure you are skip-ready.

Why hire a skip?

The obvious answer is to fill it with waste material for collection. Having a skip close to hand is just convenient, but there are many other benefits.

It saves time and money

It is possible to dispose of your waste, but that can become complicated. You might need to book slots at your local waste station, have to sort the waste yourself, and make multiple trips or hire a large vehicle to manage it all.

Using a skip will save you time and money.

It is safer

Skips are hard to miss! Having a single, designated container for waste keeps working areas tidier and, therefore, safer.

Working with a reputable skip company like What Skip helps you meet national and local waste management regulations, and you have the assurance that your waste is responsibly handled.

It is better for the environment

We must all play our part in protecting the planet. Skip hire does not just cover the skip itself but also the waste processing afterwards.

Whenever you put something in a skip, you maximise the chance of reusing or recycling it. In some cases, close to 100% of the contents of a skip are reclaimed, reducing your project’s environmental impact.

Getting the right skip size

Skip size is typically measured in yards – the cubic yards of waste they hold – but many find it easier to think about how many typical bin bags they could contain. Although this topic merits its own ‘skip size guide’, the common sizes are:

• Mini skips (two-yard skip): ideal for small household jobs or where the space is limited. As a rough guide, these can hold around 30 bin bags of rubbish.
• Midi skips (four-yard skip): suitable for slightly larger jobs, these hold around 50 bin bags of rubbish.
• Builders’ skips (six- to eight-yard skips): perhaps the average skip you think of or are used to seeing at home improvement projects, holding 70-80 bin bags worth.
• Maxi skips: (10- to 18-yard skips): the biggest traditional-style skips, these can hold the equivalent of up to 200 bin bags and are suitable for some of the biggest jobs.

Choosing which is right for you can be difficult. Without experience, it is hard to visualise how much space garden waste, a wall, or a set of old cupboards will take up in a skip.

You can always all on our experience for help, but there are a few basic guidelines:

• First, think about where your skip will go. Your choice might be limited by available space.
• Second, consider what you are putting in and how it will fit. Remember, the volume might change, garden waste can be compressed, but a wall will need more space when demolished.
• Third, if there is doubt, go for a bigger size. It will cost a little more, but that will still be much less than hiring another skip if the first is overfilled.

What you can put into a skip

There are restrictions on what you can put in a skip. Your common sense will be a good guide. Things that could be harmful, polluting, or cause a danger should not go in. However, there are a few surprises, so it is always worth checking.

What can go in?

Whether you are clearing a garden, renovating a room, or demolishing and rebuilding parts of a property, much of your waste can likely go in a skip.

Garden waste, construction materials, bricks, rubble, packaging, and general household waste can all go in a skip. Just beware of weight when filling with dense waste like soil and rubble.

What cannot go in?

Many prohibited items will not be a surprise. Asbestos, chemicals, paints, and medical waste are all prohibited and will require specialist disposal.

Some restricted items that might surprise you include:

• Upholstered furniture. The use of chemicals in older furniture means it cannot go in a skip unless it is labelled to say ‘persistent organic pollutants’ or POPs were not used in its production.
• Plasterboard. This contains sulphur, which can react to create harmful gases and pollutants during disposal.
• Appliances. While primarily metal, components such as circuit boards in common household appliances require specialised disposal.
• Some wood. Treatment can contaminate wood. A common example is creosote. The wood used in construction before 2007 is also prohibited.

Including any of these items in your skip can cause costly problems. The need for specialist treatment means that processing your and other people’s waste is disrupted, causing delays and expense. It can also mean your entire skip may be considered contaminated, reducing the amount that can be reused and recycled. It might even result in fines, which will far outweigh the cost of arranging proper disposal.

Getting permission for a skip

If you can, putting a skip on your land is easier. You will need a skip permit from your local authority to place a skip on public lands, like the road outside your property. These are easy to get but may have restrictions, like limiting the duration or adding safety measures to minimise risk to pedestrians and vehicles.

There are also differences in who can apply for a permit. Some local authorities require the application to be made by a licensed company, like What Skip.

Permits are typically granted for one to two weeks and usually require at least a week’s notice. They can be extended, but it is worth planning ahead to ensure the permit and your skip hire align with your work.

How to keep the cost of skip hire low

Whatever your project, you will want to manage your budget. There are several ways to keep your skip-hire costs as low as possible.

• Plan ahead. Make sure you plan to minimise how long you need a skip and a permit to save money.
• Get the size right. You do not want to pay for a larger skip than you need but bear in mind it might be better to pay for a slightly larger one, so you have extra space just in case.
• Load the skip wisely. It can be tempting just to dump waste in the skip; however, if you fill your skip carefully, you can use the volume more efficiently.
• Be careful about what you put in. Take care not to use the skip for prohibited items. It can cause extra costs if you have to reschedule collections. And in the worst-case scenario, it can result in fines.
• Be careful about what you do not put in. Some items might be more valuable left out of your skip. If you have enough scrap metal or reclaimed bricks to attract the interest of a local dealer, selling them can benefit the environment. It can also reduce your costs and provide money to cover the expenses of a skip for the actual waste.

FAQs

How long can I hire a skip?

As long as you want! However, in practice, most hire periods are limited by the project or the permit duration and are for one or two weeks. We are always happy to discuss any duration and understand projects do not always go to plan, so we can always be flexible if you need the skip longer.

Do I need a skip permit?

You do not need a permit if your skip is entirely on private land. However, if your skip is on public land, even partially, you must obtain a skip permit from your local authority. These are easy to get. Without one, you risk a large fine and delays to your project.

What if I get my hire wrong?

We are here to help you get it right from the start and are always happy to discuss and advise on your requirements. However, we know that requirements can change mid-project, and we will always do all we can to be flexible. As a nationwide skip hire provider, we can almost always provide a skip, even at short notice.

Hire a skip today

We are here to make your skip hire easy. We can guide you through the entire process, from small projects to major renovations. As a licensed and regulated provider, we assure you that your waste will be handled properly and with the smallest possible environmental impact.

Whether you are making your first enquiries, looking for a quote, or are ready to make a booking, just get in touch with What Skip and let our friendly team take care of your waste.