You may wonder why you can’t just throw all types of rubbish in a skip hire. Well, companies providing skip hire are taxed for every item they dump in landfills, so recycling is a big incentive. Skip hire companies typically recycle more than 90 percent of the contents you put in a skip, making it a particularly sustainable waste disposal technique.
Another reason for the limitations on what you may place in your skip is that these companies are not always certified or authorised to handle certain types of rubbish.
You may examine what you can place in a skip before seeking a price and making plans for one. Many people are startled to learn that not all rubbish can be dumped into a hired skip, but there are valid reasons for this, including health and safety requirements.
Find out if the different types of rubbish you want to throw away will be accepted by skip hire companies in the common examples below.
Soil
Skips are an excellent alternative if you need to get rid of soil. If it isn’t polluted with dangerous materials like oil, solvents, or paint, you can put it in your skip.
Many clients will use skips for yard rubbish and outdoor projects. You can hire a small residential skip or a larger commercial skip, depending on the size of your project.
Skip hire companies supply mixed and separated rubbish containers, allowing you to choose the right skip for the job.
Household and Garden Waste
Grass, trees, weeds, rubble, garden furniture and soil can all be disposed of in a garden waste skip. You should not mix materials if you have hired a skip for one sort of rubbish because they can be disposed of in a different way than regular waste.
Skips can be hired for a variety of business and home rubbish, including cardboard, plastic, metal, wood, and construction waste. This makes skips ideal for assisting you with your home improvement tasks.
Electrical Equipment and Appliances
Electrical items and equipment are not permitted in your skip. Refrigerators, microwaves, electric cookers, freezers, televisions, dishwashers, and computers are among the prohibited electrical items.
Instead, electrical waste can be taken to a Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling centre that has been approved.
However, You can put old bathrooms and toilets in your skip as well as most non-electrical appliances and accessories.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a dangerous material that should never be thrown away. There are government-enforced standards and regulations for asbestos disposal, and it is prohibited to reuse or recycle asbestos-containing items.
If you discover asbestos on your property, you must hire an asbestos removal professional. Many homes in the UK contain asbestos, and the amount and kind of asbestos present can affect the cost of asbestos removal.
Your local government can also offer guidance and support on dealing with asbestos and getting it properly removed.
Car Batteries
Batteries of any type are prohibited, which means automobile batteries cannot be disposed of in a skip. Batteries contain chemicals and hazardous materials that can be harmful. They should be recycled in collection bins that can be found in supermarkets and public locations.
Car batteries are frequently recyclable at your local recycling centre. Your local government should be able to supply you with information on where you can recycle automobile batteries.
Gas Cylinders
Gas cylinders cannot be placed in your skip, regardless of whether they are empty or filled. Skip hire providers are not permitted to transport them, and the residual materials can be harmful.
There are a variety of methods for recycling gas cylinders and bottles, and you may usually get the bottle refilled and reused at the store where you purchased it.
The British Compressed Gases Association has compiled a comprehensive list of businesses that recycle and dispose of gas cylinders.
Plasterboard
If you have a mixed rubbish skip, you cannot put plasterboard in it. Some dumpster hire businesses will accept plasterboard and other gypsum-based materials as long as they are the sole rubbish in the skip.
Plasterboard bags are widely used to keep plasterboard apart from other rubbish. This may seem weird to many property owners who are hiring a skip for the first time, but there is a reason why plasterboard cannot be mixed with other materials in a skip.
Scientific research demonstrated the complex interaction between waste products containing sulphate and the creation of hydrogen sulphide gas. In this regard, the Environmental Agency decided that plasterboard and other gypsum materials must be disposed of separately from other waste items.
Tyres
You cannot place tyres in your skip due to the labour involved in disposing of them. When you have a tyre professionally replaced, your fitter will usually properly dispose of your old tyre for free or for a little fee.
Tyres may be broken down and used to make plant pots or gym and playground rubber floors.
Medical Waste
Medical waste cannot be disposed of in a skip. Medical waste requires specialised disposal, and there are many approved medical waste disposal companies around the United Kingdom.
Medical trash can range from biological waste to needles, all of which can be hazardous to skip operators and must be properly disposed of.
Paints, Solvents, or Fuel
Paints, solvents, and fuels are all hazardous materials and skip hire companies cannot handle them. Chemical burns and combustion are also possible outcomes of these materials.
You’ll need to take these goods to a licenced and specialised disposal facility. Many local council-approved recycling centres can accept all or some of the above fluids, so contact your local council for further information.
However, dry paint poses no danger and can be thrown away in your skip. Paint tins can also be placed in your skip, but only if they are fully empty. If there is still paint in your paint tins, you should ask your local government to arrange for disposal.
Fluorescent Bulbs
Fluorescent bulbs, which contain dangerous compounds such as mercury, cannot be thrown away. You’ll need to utilise a professional service that can handle such harmful materials.
Your local council recycling centre may have a facility to collect your old fluorescent bulbs.
Conclusion
If you have concerns about what types of rubbish you can place in your skip, contact your skip provider or your local council for rules and restrictions in your area. Knowing what you can and can’t put in a skip will help you figure out how big you’ll need to hire.
If you need skip hire in Cheshire, don’t hesitate to contact Enviro Skip Hire. We’re a family-run skip hire and aggregate company servicing Staffordshire. Check out our wide range of skip sizes and aggregates today!
