What Can I Put in a Skip?

If you’re undertaking major home improvement and thinking about skip hire, you may be wondering exactly what you can put in a skip. After all, skips are not just giant dumping containers for random rubbish. Understanding what goes into a skip is crucial for efficient waste management.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re seeking skip hire in Derby or skip hire in Ipswich, our low-cost, hassle-free service remains the same right across our list of locations.

Read on to find out more about the do’s and don’ts of skip waste as we provide a clear guide on what belongs inside, how to handle tricky items, what is strictly prohibited and what items could potentially trigger extra fees.

The Different Types of Waste

When considering skip hire for various projects, it’s important to understand what types of waste are permitted in a skip.

Generally, skips can accommodate a wide range of materials that fall into various waste categories, such as household, garden and building. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) items can be classed as potentially hazardous and should not be placed in a skip.

Strict regulations apply to hazardous waste due to the potential harm it can cause to the environment and human health.

Here is an overview of the main waste categories you may encounter:

Household Waste

Household waste typically encompasses items that you would find within a standard home setting. This includes:

• General domestic rubbish

–      Some furniture items can be deemed Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) which means they cannot be disposed of in a landfill, but some can be collected.

• Non-electrical fittings
• Kitchenware
• Carpets and rugs

However, it is essential to avoid disposing of hazardous materials, which may include certain chemicals, batteries and items containing harmful substances.

Garden Waste 

Garden waste refers to any sort of organic waste from gardening or landscaping activities. This includes:

• Grass cuttings
• Leaves and flower trimmings
• Branches and twigs
• Plants and shrubbery
• Soil and turf (though soil can sometimes be heavy, and weight limits may apply)

For larger projects or those including soil, you may need a specific skip size or service. At SkipHireUK, we offer a comprehensive range of sizes right up to the bulky 12-yard skip.

Building Waste 

Building or construction waste covers materials from renovation or demolition projects. A ‘builder’s skip’ is typically an 8-yard skip and can be filled with:

• Bricks and concrete
• Tiles and ceramics
• Metals and plastics
• Wood and timber

Always be mindful of the skip’s load capacity and ensure that heavy waste does not exceed weight limits.

Electrical Items 

Certain small electrical items can sometimes be included in skips, yet it’s often best practice to recycle these elsewhere. Items normally not permitted in skips are:

• Refrigerators and freezers
• Televisions and computer monitors
• Washing machines and dryers
• Microwaves and ovens

Other items not allowed in skips 

Some items strictly can’t be disposed of in a skip for safety and environmental reasons. Here are some examples of prohibited items:

• Hazardous Materials: Including asbestos, batteries, and chemicals.
• Electrical Items: Fridges, TVs, and microwaves.
• Medical/Biological Waste: These can pose health risks and must be treated separately.
• Gas Cylinders: They can explode if crushed and need specialist disposal.
• Oil, Fuel, and other Toxic Substances: They can cause pollution and harm wildlife.

Complying with these rules ensures that you avoid legal repercussions and contribute to safer and more responsible waste management.

Items That May Incur Extra Charges

A variety of items could lead to extra costs when using skip hire services, often due to their nature or the complexity involved in processing them.

Here are some examples:

• Mattresses: These often require separate disposal or recycling processes.
• Tyres: Their material composition means they need to be processed differently than general waste.
• Plasterboard: Sometimes, it needs to be separated from other waste types because of recycling regulations.

If you’re wondering exactly what you can and can’t put in a skip, at SkipHireUK we’re happy to walk you through every step of the skip hire process. Discuss your options with one of our experts today, or try our waste calculator for a free, no-obligation quote.