A skip (derived from the word ‘skep’, used to refer to a basket) is a large, often available in various sizes a waste container designed for loading onto a waste carrying vehicle. Its size typically ranges from 2yards to 18yards in length and has a standard 1.5-2 yard height. However, it is not to be confused with a dumpster.
While skips are widely used, it is not to be limited to hold loads of industrial, construction and demolition waste, garden and litter of various types.
Construction, repair works and demolition create debris that can be put in skips. Also, while working, the required supplies can be delivered to the site in a skip, which could be re-used for rubble pickup after the job.
Skips are also used for cleaning-out jobs, especially from household areas, collecting garbage and is also used in factories that produce large quantities of scrap metal.
The waste in Skips is taken to a landfill or disposed of or recycled and recovered in some other way.
Things you must consider before hiring a skip
There are mainly three types of skip bins and they are explained as follows:
RORO bins
“RORO” is the abbreviation of “roll-on and roll-off”. These types of bins or containers are better used for commercial or industrial use.
Closed bins
Closed from all sides, these bins come with a door that is closed when being moved, hence they are considered safer as compared to others.
Open bins
The open skip bins have their top lid open and are most commonly utilized. But unfortunately, these cannot be considered as safe as closed skip bins are but one can rely on these because they’re open.
Based on the design, you can find bins that are Asymmetrical, Symmetrical, having more than one ‘floors’, and the more advanced ones can also be moved and opened remotely.
Now, the items or waste types that can be put in a skip are very crucial before arranging your waste for a future skip-delivery. By law and due to the environment, restrictions are imposed.
So, what rubbish can be put in a skip?
Any general household item or wastes that cannot cause the environment much discomfort can be put in a skip. To give an idea, here is a list of common such items:
| What can be put | What may require some extra cost |
| – Bricks, Concrete (dry) – Green waste – Small tree logs – Foam and polystyrene – Cement sheeting compressed – Fabrics, clothes and shoes – Terracotta – Sawdust (bagged) – Metal – Gas cookers – Tiles – Plastics – Rubble, soil, sand | – Rubber tires – Carpet, underlay Mattresses, bed bases – Synthetic grass, Astroturf – Rubber, rubber flooring – Vinyl – Soft fall – Small appliances, electronics (insulated and dead) – Car tyres (need prior company confirmation) |
If the waste you want to dispose of is not in the above list, contact your skip hire services provider, or local authorities to confirm whether you can put them in the skip.
What rubbish can definitely not be put in a skip?
Although skips are a convenient way to get rid of rubbish, items can be thrown in is limited, due to the fact that many waste items can pose little to massive danger to the surroundings. As a result, there are health and safety laws. Hence it is recommended that before making an order for the waste disposal, it is imperative to further consult about what items cannot be put in them.
Amongst other things, these include:
- Car tyres: Disposing of tyres requires a license not available to many, and though it may be allowed in the skip by a certain provider, it is best to confirm beforehand. Moreover, tyres can be immediately reused/recycled, stripped down to produce everything from plant pots to rubber floors for gyms and playgrounds. Burning them is highly injurious to health and the environment.
- Asbestos: Asbestos, unbeknownst to many, is a quite hazardous material (it causes cancer and other diseases). There are several safeguards imposed by the government for its safe disposal and any material made of asbestos mustn’t be recycled. Thus, disposing of asbestos requires specially trained personnel.
- Electrical equipment and Appliances: Waste electrical items can be taken to a registered WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling centre. Unless it’s a nominal item, it must be recycled properly.
- Fridges & freezers: Many older fridges and freezers typically contain hydro and chlorofluorocarbon (HFC and CFC) gases. Due to their hazardous nature, they are usually recovered by the local council.
- All liquids and paints: Liquids may themselves be poisonous, and/or may interact with other items to become more dangerous. They can also be combustible, hence needing special care.
- Fluorescent tubes & light bulbs: Fluorescent bulbs contain dangerous heavy metals, primarily mercury, lead and cadmium, all of which are extremely poisonous even in small doses in the open air. They cannot and should not be put in skips.
- Car batteries: Batteries are full of highly corrosive chemicals which should not be poured out (the battery acid should also not come into contact with your skin) and hazardous wastes (including lead) which can be harmful, so should be recycled especially.
- Gas bottles: Even if you think your cylinder is empty, it will still usually contain a small amount of pressurised liquid. Due to the potential risk of the gas bottle being punctured and/or exposed to, it needs a safe haven. You can usually return it to the retailer they were purchased from who will often pay you for returning them (so they can refill them and sell).
- Clinical waste/medical items: Medical waste can prove to be hazardous for skip delivery (viruses such as HIV and diseases cans spread). Certain wastes can also be of radioactive nature, requiring extreme speciality.
