What can I put in a skip in the UK

Posted on 27 July 2022

When booking a skip with us we ensure that you receive the best price possible. To achieve this competitive pricing and to adhere to laws and regulations we must limit some types of waste from our skips. These items require special care when handling or need a separate process which is not available through our skip collections.

I thought I could put everything in a skip! That is not exactly correct. Our skips are used to collect non-hazardous waste that can be processed or recycled.

 

These items are NOT to be placed in a skip

  • Plasterboard
  • Tyres
  • Fluorescent Tubes
  • Gas Bottles & Cylinders
  • Asbestos
  • Batteries
  • Mattresses
  • Clinical Waste
  • Other Hazardous Waste (Paint Tins, Oils, Petrol, Diesel, Aerosols & Mastic Tubes)
  • Fridges, Freezers & Other Electrical Waste (Microwaves & TVs)
  • Food or Food Contaminated Packaging
  • More than 1 Roll of Carpet

 

Plasterboard

Also known as wallboard, gypsum board, wall panels, or drywall. Useful when building but when disposing of plaster board alongside general waste it can become a serious safety hazard. The sulphate in the gypsum isn’t the sole issue, however, when plasterboard gets damp and is mixed with other waste a process called putrefaction can occur and release ‘hydrogen sulphate’. Therefore in 2009 a change in regulations stated that plasterboard could not be mixed with biodegradable waste.

 

Tyres

Tyres are a bulky waste item that need a different process to general waste. Most waste carriers will either disallow them from your skip altogether or will charge a price per item.

 

Fluorescent Tubes

Due to the small amount of mercury contained within Flo-Tubes (Fluorescent Tubes) it is important to separate these from other general items. Households can often find options at their local household recycling centres, for businesses and other users, there are many companies that provide a drop off facilities for Fluorescent Tubes.

 

Gas Bottles & Cylinders

Although the components of gas bottles & cylinders are highly recyclable, the hazards associated with them prevent them from being able to be safely disposed of via our suppliers. This waste must be disposed of by a hazardous waste specialist.

 

Asbestos

Asbestos is classed as hazardous waste falling under The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Due to the risk associated to asbestos, it requires specialist handling and disposal. If you want to dispose of asbestos please seek guidance from a local specialist.

 

Batteries

The Waste Batteries & Accumulators Regulations 2009 was introduced for guidance around handling, treatment and disposal. Distributers (such as supermarkets) of small batteries are obligated under the regulation to also provide disposal for domestic in stores. The type and quantity of battery that you wish to dispose of will dictate the necessary handling and disposal process, please obtain further guidance.

 

Mattresses

Although not hazardous, mattresses can be both difficult and costly to reprocess. Across the UK, recycling rates for mattresses are still very low, please consider your local household facility should you be a member of the public, or seek advise from a local supplier to ensure they can process mattresses should you be a business or other user.

 

Clinical Waste

This type of waste is always deemed hazardous due to the nature of what it contains. Clinical waste includes any waste associated with human/animal health or waste from laboratories.

 

Other Hazardous Waste (Paint Tins, Oils, Petrol, Diesel, Aerosols & Mastic Tubes)

Waste that is considered hazardous under environmental legislation containing substances potentially harmful to health are prohibited from your skip. There is a variety of options available locally depending on the type of wastes you wish to dispose of.

 

Fridges, Freezers & Other Electrical Waste (Microwaves & TVs)

The WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) was set up to better manage electrical waste within the waste industry. Should your waste item/s have a crossed out wheelie bin symbol, or in simple terms requires electricity to operate, please take to your household recycling centre and if you’re a business or other user (such as a school or hospital), please contact a specialist disposal company in the area

 

Food or Food Contaminated Packaging

Food waste requires separate collection and treatment to prevent it from contaminating other, recyclable wastes. For this reason, we are unable to collect food or food contaminated packaging.

 

More than one Roll of Carpet

Most suppliers will accept 1 roll/room of carpet. If there are additional quantities of this waste type we must check with the supplier before booking as there could be additional charges.

 

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