Can I Put Garden Waste in a Skip?

If you’re looking to give your garden a makeover – be it a plant pot refresh or a major landscaping overhaul – you may be wondering if you’re in need of a skip.

Garden waste includes a variety of materials, from chairs and old plants to lawn trimmings and plant cuttings, so it pays to know how best to dispose of them correctly.

Fortunately, most garden waste items can be put in a skip, meaning it’s a strong choice for all your green-fingered needs. Read on to learn more about what can and can’t be placed in a skip and why it may be an option for your next garden project.

What is garden waste?

Garden waste, sometimes referred to as ‘green waste’, is any biodegradable, organic waste that comes from your outdoor spaces. This includes grass clippings, dead plants, leaves, flowers, roots and branches.

However, when considering placing garden waste in a skip, it’s essential to differentiate between compostable green waste and other items often found in gardens, such as garden furniture, plant pots, brickwork, barbecues, cricket nets and fence panels.

These non-compostable items, which also include large branches, logs, soil and rubble, could be classed as bulky items or heavy waste and may require a larger skip size.

Can garden waste be placed in a skip?

Garden waste, often a by-product of garden landscaping, can be placed in a skip. When taking on a garden project, from simple trimmings to a complete overhaul, you can collect and dispose of this ‘green waste’ quite efficiently using a skip hire service.

Many skip hire companies provide a convenient solution for garden waste removal, offering various sizes to suit the scale of your waste needs, from 4-yard skips to 12-yard skips.

Most biodegradable garden waste, such as grass clippings, leaves and small branches, can typically be placed in a skip without issue, although you may prefer to dispose of it through composting or recycling centres. It’s essential, however, to understand that while skips are versatile, they may not be suitable for all kinds of garden refuse.

Important restrictions include:

• Don’t mix hazardous waste, such as pesticides or oils, with green waste.
• No fluorescent tubes.
• Make sure larger items such as fence panels don’t exceed skip dimensions.

What size skip will I need for my garden waste?

Skips come in a range of sizes so are therefore suitable for garden projects of all scopes.

Think carefully about how much waste you’re likely to generate and order accordingly.

Here is a general rule of thumb:

• 4-yard skips – Ideal for small garden maintenance tasks such as cuttings, weeding and pruning.
• 6-yard skips – A step up, good for more extensive clear-outs including plant pots and small furniture items.
• 8-yard skips – These ‘builders’ skips are suitable for heavier waste such as soil or rubble – be mindful of exceeding weight restrictions.
• 12-yard skips – Best for major garden or construction projects.

Benefits of using a skip for garden waste 

Using a skip for garden waste offers plenty of benefits:

• Convenience: Skips can be delivered and collected from your property, saving you trips to tips and recycling centres.
• Efficiency: Having a skip on-site means garden waste can be easily cleared as you work, maintaining a tidy space and increasing worker productivity.
• Versatility: Skips can handle a variety of waste types – with some restrictions – which allows for the disposal of mixed garden waste.
• Eco-friendliness: Most skip hire companies follow regulations to recycle and compost appropriate waste, helping to conserve the environment.

With a skip, your waste is more likely to be processed in an environmentally responsible way rather than contributing to landfill mass.

At SkipHire UK, we have a range of skips available for garden projects of all sizes. Talk to us about your garden waste needs today or use our waste calculator for a free, no-obligation quote.