When you book a skip the temptation to throw in everything and anything from your home or business is common. However, there are rules and regulations about what you can dispose of and putting the wrong thing in your skip could lead to it not being picked up or you having to remove items before it can be taken away.
Whether it’s a house clearance or you’re preparing a new business property for opening, then renting a skip makes the clean up much easier, but it is important to check and ensure you’re only adding the right kinds of waste for your skip to avoid issues when returning it.
What can you put in a skip?
Most things can safely be put into a standard skip. Keep in mind that you may need to check in advance with your skip hire company if you want to dispose of certain items such as garden waste or building rubble but beyond that, you’ll find most waste can generally be thrown in the skip.
The following things are always fine to put in your skip:
· Food waste and related packaging
· Domestic household waste
· Green garden waste
· Carpet and upholstery
· Wood
· Empty, cleaned-out paint tins
· Plastics
· Metals
· Bricks and other building rubble
· Tiles and ceramic
· Old bathroom and kitchen fittings
· Furnishings and furniture
You can always ask your skip provider if you are not sure about anything and they’ll let you know whether it’s safe to dispose of in a skip.
What can’t you put in a skip?
There are a range of items you should not put in your skip and need to dispose of in a specific way. You can always discuss your waste with your skip hire company and they may have some guidance regarding specific items. Here are some of the main types of waste you should never put in your skip.
Electrical items
Electrical appliances and products often need to be stripped down so they can be safely recycled. They are also where you will find POP waste, which refers to persistent organic pollutants that cannot break down or decompose naturally. You should also consider the safety aspect of lifting a large appliance into a skip, instead look for a bulky item collection service that can be trusted to recycle your electrical goods compliantly.
Tyres
Tyres should not be put into your skip because they need to be handled by specialists. You may need to contact a tyre collection company or a recycling business who are able to responsibly handle tyres. Your local garage should also guarantee responsible recycling of your tyres if you’re having new ones fitted. The rubber content of tyres means they need to be treated in a particular way and cannot simply be taken away in a skip.
Paints and solvents
Skip hire companies need specialist certifications and licenses to dispose of liquid solvents. Paint and other solvents are considered hazardous waste and should not be put into a skip with other waste. As we’ve mentioned, empty and clean paint tins are acceptable but you need to remove all the solvent so there is no hazardous waste.
Clinical waste
Clinical waste has to be dealt with extremely carefully due to its hazardous nature. Clinical waste such as needles and sharps are incredibly dangerous and putting them in a skip could mean they end up causing injury or harm to others.
Get in touch with us today to discuss whether a skip is the best option for your waste, we’ll happily help ensure that one of our skips is the right choice for your needs.
