What happens to skip waste

Have you ever wondered what happens to skip waste? Whether you are simply curious or worried about the environmental impact, you might be surprised to discover that hiring a skip is the start of a journey that gives your waste new life.

The journey begins …

It all begins with its first journey when our specialised vehicles take the skip, and the rubbish it contains, to the waste transfer station.

We serve the entire country, and while not all facilities are identical, they share a common goal: to manage the large amounts of waste they receive and maximise the amount that can be reused and recycled.

The initial sorting process

The first sort is a relatively quick process to separate recycling. This process has traditionally been manual, but waste processing centres increasingly use technology like mechanical sorters and computer vision to enhance efficiency.

At this stage, easily recyclable waste like paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastics can be separated. In some cases, these will be further categorised.

Garden waste

Green waste from garden and landscaping projects tends to return to the land by being composted to help fertilise more plants and flowers.

Metals and plastics

Many people are aware of various types of scrap metal, but few realise that plastics also need to be sorted into different waste streams. These plastic items will be further separated into specific categories and may be cleaned before being sent to specialised recyclers.

Wood

The original reusable material, wood, will be separated and graded. Larger pieces are sometimes reused in their entirety if they are in good condition. Other pieces may be used to make wood chips, new furniture, for landscaping, or even used as a biomass fuel.

Rubble

Rubble is also sorted and categorised. Sometimes, building materials are highly sought after. Bricks, in particular, can be used repeatedly, and high-quality reclaimed bricks can fetch a premium price.

Other rubble can be broken down, making it useful for construction, landscaping, and avoiding landfills.

More complex items

Some items defy the initial sort. Appliances can include metal, plastic, and even wood, for example. These are assessed again and usually broken down into individual components. These are then sorted into their recycling streams.

Prohibited items

Many items like paint or hazardous chemicals should not be placed in a skip. Inevitably, some will slip through, requiring special handling, which can slow the process down.

While it is reassuring that such items are appropriately managed, you should never put anything prohibited in your skip; it adds to the costs of skip hire and disposal for everyone, and you can risk a fine when these are found.

Leftover waste

Unfortunately, some items cannot be recycled. It could be that they are not recyclable or that other materials or chemicals have contaminated them.

In many places, these items are sent for incineration. This means they can offer a final service of generating power. What remains goes to landfill, but this is now a very, very small proportion of the total waste processed.

The sustainability of waste processing

Using a skip can be an environmentally friendly way to dispose of your waste. While your waste has no value to you, when you combine it with that of hundreds of others, there is usually enough to make it worthwhile for recyclers to treat and use. It means that, in some cases, most of a skip’s contents can find a new life rather than being incinerated or buried.

Materials like metal and wood have particularly good recycling rates, typically close to 100%, because they are in high demand in recycling markets. Even materials that have traditionally been harder to recycle, like plastics, have increased as recycling technology improves.

Reputable companies like What Skip and forward-thinking waste authorities can make sure that anything that goes into your skip that can be reused will be reused, giving you the peace of mind that even with your skip hire, you are doing your bit for the planet.

Helping us help the planet

There are a few things you can do if you want to minimise the environmental impact of your skip.

Load your waste well

Keeping similar waste together makes sorting easier, especially when done manually. Keeping similar materials grouped in the skip makes processing more efficient.

Avoid contamination

Contamination is a big problem with recycling, and it is not just from harmful chemicals; even food needs to be cleaned off. Keeping your recyclable material as clean as possible allows it to be recycled quicker and avoids the energy used for cleaning.

Do not break the rules

Hazardous waste in skips will slow and sometimes stop sorting processes. They can cause an entire load to be deemed contaminated, meaning none is recycled. Check first if you have doubts about what can go in your skip.

FAQs

Can I mix waste in a skip?

Yes, of course. Part of the convenience of a skip is that you can put so much in there. However, think about how you put things in; not only does this help with processing, but you also use the space more efficiently, so you get better value for your money.

What happens to materials that cannot be recycled?

Waste management focuses on reusing and recycling waste. However, if materials cannot be recycled and have no use or value, they are usually sent for incineration at a waste-to-energy plant. A landfill site is only used as a last resort.

How can I make sure my skip is handled responsibly?

Sadly, there are many irresponsible skip-hire companies. However, there are a few things you can check.

• look at their reviews to ensure they are a reputable company.
• check their website, where you should find details on how they manage their waste.
• confirm they are licensed by the Environment Agency; if you cannot find their licence, avoid them.

Make sure your waste is not wasted

Your waste can go on to become anything. Using a licensed company committed to ethical waste disposal like What Skip assures you that as much of your waste as possible will be reused and recycled.

Contact us to discover how easy it is to get a skip and how we ensure your skip waste is handled correctly.