Knowing what can and can’t go in a skip is important. By putting suitable materials in, you can minimise your chances of harming the environment and breaking EU or local council regulations.
Learn more about what you can and can’t dispose of to ensure the smoothest experience when hiring a skip with GSH.
What can you put in a skip?
As a skip-hire company, we offer seamless waste management solutions, generally accepting most household waste. We accept:
- food waste
- metal
- glass
- UPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride)
- HD/PP (high-density polypropylene)
- wood
- plastics
- cardboard
We also accept your construction waste, like bricks, rubble and metals.
You can pop your garden waste into a skip too. Any soil, grass clippings, tree branches or shrubs fall under biodegradable waste.
Why can you put these materials in a skip?
Once we receive your waste, we begin our sorting process. This is an important step in ensuring that we dispose of materials correctly.
We accept most recyclable materials and comply with all current EU, local council, and government guidelines. Legally, skip hire companies are required to recycle at least 90% of the waste we receive in our skips.
But we go above and beyond and are proud that we aim to recycle at least 95% of all waste collected. Correct waste disposal means that we can do our bit in reducing any unnecessary harm to the environment, making us an eco-friendly choice.
What can you not put in a skip?
While most general household waste can be put in a skip, not everything is suitable for this method of disposal. Our skip hire company doesn’t accept hazardous waste such as:
- asbestos
- batteries
- medical waste, like needles or biological waste
- mattresses
- tyres
- electrical equipment, such as TVs or computer monitors
- fridges and freezers
- gas cylinders
- paint tins
- plasterboard or gypsum waste
- florescent tubes
- liquids and solvents
However, you may be able to take some of these items to your local recycling centre.
Why?
These materials shouldn’t be placed in a skip for a few reasons.
Things like batteries, medical waste, and asbestos can be extremely hazardous and could contaminate the environment, people, or other items in the skip and cause harm.
Items such as mattresses might be too big. Components of the mattress, such as the foam and springs can be taken apart and recycled separately. Mattresses therefore need to be disposed of by specialists, which GSH can assist with.
Tyres cannot be put in a skip under the Environmental Protection Act, making it illegal for them to go into landfills. This is because they can be hazardous, and can release toxic chemicals if burned, requiring specialist disposal.
It is paramount that you avoid throwing any hazardous waste into a skip to reduce any harmful emissions from your waste.
Contact Us
If you’re still feeling stuck as to what can/can’t go in a skip, you can get in touch with one of our friendly experts! We are more than happy to help with any advice.
Additionally, if you require specialist disposal of any items that can’t go in your skip, be sure to reach out.