Skip Hire: Everything you need to know

Using a skip is the safest and most convenient way to dispose of waste, whether you're renovating your home, working on a construction site, or tending to your garden.

With that said, first-time skip hirers may feel unsure about what items can and can’t be disposed of, and where to properly place the skip when using it.

As specialists in skip hire, we’ve drawn up a complete guide on everything you need to know about hiring a skip. Read on for an explanation of how to make the most of your hire.

What can you put in a skip?

Typically associated with building works, heavy materials that can go into your skip include concrete, bricks, metals, pottery and clay, rubble, and stones. Also some domestic objects such as wood, tiles, paper, cardboard, garden waste, and clothes.

What can’t you put in a skip?

The following items are not permitted into our general skips:

• Asbestos (or anything resembling asbestos)
• Fluorescent Tubes
• Gas bottles and cylinders
• Tyres
• Batteries
• Solvent cans & paint cans
• Fridges and freezers
• TVs and computer monitors
• Medical waste
• Tree roots
• Plasterboard and gypsum
• Fire extinguishers
• Liquid wastes (as described in Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005)
  
  See our Terms of Hire for more information

Can skips take plasterboard?

Plasterboards are not permitted within our general waste skips, but can be disposed of in our plasterboard-accepted skips - contact us to find out more.

Can skips take mattresses?

Yes, but there’s a limit of only two double mattresses or four single mattresses.

Can skips take garden waste?

If you’re looking to renovate your garden, you can hire a skip with W&S to dispose of any wood, metal, concrete, soil and green waste.

Can skips take POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants)?

As of 2023, POPs can no longer be disposed of in landfill and must be incinerated instead. This means they can’t be used in our general skips.
Read our POP's service page for more details.

If you need a skip to transport your POPs, let us know - we’ll supply you with a specialist skip designed for this purpose.
 

What are the different skip sizes?

Our skips come in a whole range of sizes, from 4-yard to 12-yard, so there’ll always be one suitable for the project you’re completing. Read more about the different skip sizes in our skip size document.

Where can skips be placed?

Provided there’s suitable access, you can place a skip virtually anywhere on your privately owned land (so long as there’s no risk to public safety). Popular areas include driveways and gardens.

Can skips go on the road?

You can place your skip on the road, but you’ll need a permit from the council to ensure its location won’t cause issues with public safety. We can help you with an application.

Can skips go on grass?

Yes – while this may wear down your grass, skips can be placed in your front or back garden provided there is suitable access.

Skips versus bags

An alternative to skips, skip bags can also be used for the disposal of household or garden waste.

We don’t recommend using skip bags for a number of reasons. For instance, they may not be the most durable and can easily tear, especially if they are overfilled with sharp objects like nails.

They are also not environmentally friendly as they are made of plastic, meaning the bag itself will only end up at a landfill after one use.

Where do skips get emptied?

As well as owning a multitude of waste disposal sites across the south, our established connections with local councils and waste authorities means we can appropriately empty the contents of your skip at licensed waste recycling centres. This enables us to sort and recycle as much waste as possible before transferring any remains to the nearby landfill.

W&S are your skip hire specialists

From skip hire to tailored recycling services, W&S are completely committed to resolving any and all of your waste problems.

We’re a team of recycling professionals that deal with commercial, residential, and industrial clients from around the country. We pride ourselves on delivering outstanding customer service across the board, from the first time you reach out to after the disposal is completed.

Hire a skip in your area online or by calling us on 01202 675564!