Whatever project you’re doing, from clearing out a garden to doing a renovation project on an apartment block, you always need to be informed of what, or what not to put in a skip. Depending on your project, you will have different items that will need to be disposed of. You should always be informed on what waste you can dispose of before you start throwing everything and anything in your skip. There are many different regulations on what can go into a skip, or rather, what can’t go into a skip. Depending on the company you choose, you could be fined for incorrectly disposing of items.
In this blog, we will only discuss what we accept here at Colson Skips, but ‘what can you put in a skip’ may differ, depending on the company. If you are looking for a skip, get in touch with us today. Without further ado, let’s discuss ‘what can you put in a skip?’.
What can you put in my skip?
If you are taking part in garden and house clearance, you can dispose of the following:
- Broken bricks, rubble and wood
- Broken furniture
- Furnishings and non-electrical fittings
- Plastics
- Cardboard
- Uncontaminated soil
- Sand
- Compost
- Grass clippings
- Dry and wet leaves
- Branches
- Vegetation trimming
- Metal
Some skip companies may not allow the following items, but they will provide information on how you can safely dispose of them:
- Metal
- Waste from electrical fixtures and fittings
- Building waste and plastics
However, broken items such as plastic bags, furniture and sacks are usually acceptable pieces of skip waste.
When choosing a skip company, you should first ask what is acceptable to put into one of their skips. Having this knowledge can inform you on whether you’re making the right decision and give you peace of mind that you’re not breaking any rules that you could be fined for.
What can’t you put in a skip?
To fully understand ‘what can I put in a skip’ you first have to consider what you can’t put in a skip. Both hazardous or toxic items cannot be placed into a skip and these include:
Electrical equipment
This includes both large and small electrical equipment including freezers, fridges and televisions. This type of waste can be safely disposed of in a recycling facility. If you’re not sure where to dispose of these, contact your skip provider and ask for their advice.
Gas cylinders
Gas cylinders are a threat to both us and the environment so must be disposed of carefully, even if they are empty. For the correct disposal of gas cylinders, you will need to contact your supplier as they are always willing to collect any used cylinders. You can also dispose of these with a gas cylinder recycling company.
Asbestos
You should double-check that there is no asbestos in a skip. This is due to the fact that it is harmful and hazardous. There are strict laws set in place to stop the wrong disposal of asbestos materials because it could pose serious health threats to anyone involved. In order to dispose of asbestos, it’s best to call up an asbestos specialist who can advise you on the best disposal method.
Batteries
Batteries contain chemicals and metals which are extremely dangerous. They will need to be separated into different parts to be disposed of correctly. You can dispose of batteries at your nearby petrol station or local supermarket, where they will have a box specifically for collecting old batteries.
Fuel, liquids, solvents and paint
These contain harmful compounds and cannot be placed in a skip. There are specific companies that are licensed to dispose of this type of waste.
Medical waste
Old medical waste can cause serious infections or contamination. This could pose a serious risk to you or anybody else involved in the process of disposing of this waste. This is why any biological, medicine or hospital waste should be handled with care.
Tyres
You can dispose of old tyres with your local municipal recycling centre.
Plasterboard
The government stops the disposal of plasterboard in skips, so you should abide by this rule, otherwise, you could face a fine. You can take plasterboard to a licensed and specialised recycling plant nearby.
Mattresses
Mattresses cause problems when it comes to taking them to landfill sites. This is why you should ask your skip company first to see if disposing of mattresses in skips is allowed. You can always dispose of your mattress in a more environmentally friendly way by donating, paying a company to collect and recycle the mattress or calling a local tip and council.
Thank you for reading our blog ‘What can you put in a skip?’. If you’re looking to hire a skip, get in touch with Colson Skips today.
