Answers to the most common FAQs with skip hire like “What can go in my skip?” and “What skip size do I need?”. If you can’t find the answer to your questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Skip Sizes
Approximate Sizes| Capacity | Description | Width | Height | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 4 yard open | 163cm (5.3ft) | 89cm (2.9ft) | 253cm (8.3ft) |
| Medium | 6 yard open | 166cm (5.4ft) | 122cm (4ft) | 282cm (9.25ft) |
| Large | 8 yard open | 166cm (5.4ft) | 130cm (4.3ft) | 340cm (11.2ft) |
| Extra Large | 12 yard open | 166cm (5.4ft) | 168cm (5.5ft) | 404cm (13.2ft) |
What cannot go in our Skips?
Our skips are used for non-hazardous waste, listed below are a number of common waste streams that are not accepted in your skip.
Please note: Turf is accepted in your skip, however please inform us of this in your order notes.
- Plasterboard (Permitted in the Plasterboard Only Skip Hire or Skip Bag option)
- 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
- Upholstered seating that may contain POPs
- Hazardous Wood Waste
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Plasterboard
In 2009 a change to regulations dictating how we dispose of plasterboard was implemented, this means the disposal of gypsum which is the main raw material of plasterboard could no longer be mixed with biodegradable waste. (Permitted in the Plasterboard Only Skip Hire or Skip Bag option)
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Tyres*
The cost to reprocess tyres is much more than your average general waste item and most waste carriers will charge per unit.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Clinical Waste
Clinical 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.
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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 also prohibited from your skip. There is a variety of options available locally depending on the type of wastes you wish to dispose of.
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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
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Food or Food Contaminated Packaging
Food waste requires separate collection & treatment to prevent it from contaminating other, recyclable wastes. For this reason, we are unable to collect food or food contaminated packaging.
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More than 1 Roll of Carpet
Most suppliers will accept 1x roll/room of carpet. If there are additional quantities of this waste type we must check with the supplier before booking. Additional charges may apply.
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Upholstered seating that may contain POPs
Most suppliers will accept soft furnishings however due to a change in legislation in 2023 on how upholstered seating can be disposed of the following items may not always be accepted in our mixed waste skips: sofas, sofa beds, armchairs, kitchen and dining room chairs, stools and foot stools, home office chairs, futons, bean bags, floor and sofa cushions. Please let us know upon ordering to see if we can accommodate the removal of these items.
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Hazardous Wood Waste
Due to a change in legislation from 1st September 2023, the following wood waste items from any building which is Pre 2007 may be charged additional or rejected if they are placed in a skip/van collection or bag.
- Barge Boards, External Fascias, Soffit Boards, External Joinery, External Doors, Roof Timber, Tiling Cladding, Tiling Battens, Timber Frames, Timber Joists
*Waste types accepted by our Rubbish removal service.
How to load a skip – Level loads only!
When filling your skip, start with any heavy bulky waste first, laying them flat and working up from the bottom of the skip, saving any small, loose rubbish for the end. Items like chairs and tables produce a lot of void space, consider safely breaking down these items and other waste such as cardboard boxes to maximise the space in your skip.
Make sure your skip is level loaded once complete, this means the waste doesn’t pass the skip walls. The driver allocated to collect your skip will decline to take it and need to return another day once you’ve “level loaded” the skip, this will incur a wasted journey charge.
Where can you put a skip?
Before hiring a skip consider where the skip should be placed and how the lorry will obtain access. Narrow roads leading to the property, gates and driveways could pose an issue if they’re small.
Skip lorries with a full skip load can often weigh approximately 15 tonnes, this can place a lot of strain on driveways, especially when removing a full skip. Make special instructions to us during your order if there is anything we need to consider before arriving.
Normal Skip Lorry
Delivering, exchanging and collecting your skip
Delivery
We will aim to have your skip delivered on your preferred delivery date, however in some very rare instances we may not be able to achieve this date. We will notify you of a change to this delivery date via email or SMS giving you freedom to adjust if necessary. Next day delivery may be available providing you order before 10am.
Please ensure you leave correct contact details so our drivers can call ahead if there is a problem.
Exchange
This is the process of swapping a skip full of waste for an empty skip, to then be used again. An exchange can be requested on an existing delivered order.
Collection
You can choose your collection date upon ordering; this can be adjusted in the “My Account” section. All skips are subject to a maximum 2 week hire period. There needs to be a person present to sign for the Waste Transfer Note.
Upon attending a site, if we cannot service the site with a delivery, collection or exchange (for example, we cannot gain access) a wasted journey charge will apply.
When do I need a road permit for a skip?
Where possible, we advise you to have your skip placed on private property, such as on a driveway. If this isn’t possible and you require the skip to be kept on the road/public highway, you will need a Road Permit. If you feel a Road Permit is needed, please include this in your quotation and the waste carrier will arrange this on your behalf through the local council. A charge of £70.00 Excluding VAT (£84 Including VAT) will be included within your quotation to cover the Road Permit. Please be aware time frames for length of permits vary between 1 day and 1 month.
We will aim to get your skip as per your requested date, however please keep in mind that the terms around Road Permits differ from council to council, these changes might impact on your “Preferred Delivery Date”. We will notify you if there is a change to the delivery date via SMS and/or email.
Managing your order
Whilst placing your first order you will be guided to create a WasteOnline account. From here you can amend current orders, book exchanges or early collections.
If you need to make any changes to your order, you can do so in the ‘My Account’ section.
Exchanges can be requested on any delivered order in your account during the 2 week hire period. Please note, exchanges must be arranged 48 hours in advance before collection is due. During the Exchange, there needs to be a person present to sign the Waste Transfer Note.
If you wish to change your skip removal date, you can do so from your ‘My Account’ section.
In the event of any changes to your order, we will notify you via email and/or text.
