Easy Skip Hire

You might be wondering whether you can put soil in a skip. The answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to know first before you begin hiring a skip. What is Inert Waste?Inert waste is a type of waste material that cannot be chemically or physically altered by microorganisms. It is usually non-toxic, non-reactive, and stable over long periods of time. Examples of inert waste include soil, hardcore such as stone and brick, sand, glass, and ceramics. Inert wastes do not decompose and can be disposed of safely in landfills without posing any risk to the environment.Are there Inert Waste Skips?Yes, there are. These skips are specifically for inert waste materials, hardcore, and soil waste. The sizes of these skips range from 2 yards up to 8 yards.If you hire an aggregate waste skip, you must not fill it with any other waste materials besides soil, hardcore, and inert waste. If you do, you will be charged extra for contaminating it. This is because the waste management company can recycle these waste types (including concrete, rubble, sand, and bricks). It is crucial that you do not put any hazardous waste materials in the skip, such as medical waste. If you do, the skip company may not collect the skip.Can I put Soil in a Mixed Waste Skip?Yes, you can. If you have a variety of waste materials, including soil and household waste, a mixed waste skip could be the way to go. General waste skips are meant for household rubbish, garden waste, cardboard, plastic, and paper. A mixed waste skip is a great solution when you have a mix of household waste and soil. Remember that the maximum size skip for soil is an 8-yard skip. What Size Skips can Soil not be put in?Soil and inert waste are heavy materials and therefore cannot be placed in skips larger than 8 yards, such as 10 or 12-yard skips. These larger skips can hold a huge amount of materials, but when filled with soil waste, they become extremely heavy, making it difficult for the skip lorry to lift them. Therefore, skip hire companies place weight restrictions on how much weight can be in a skip, which limits the size of skips that can be filled with soil.The largest skip size that soil and inert waste can be put in is an 8-yard skip. However, always check with the skip hire company, as some may restrict soil waste to a 6-yard skip. If you assume you can put soil in the skip you have hired and do not check with the skip hire company, your skip may not be collected.How Much Soil can you Put in a Skip?As long as the skip size is 8 yards or under, you can fill your skip with soil so that it is at a level load. This means that the soil is not over the brim of the skip or piled up high.Are there Alternatives to Hiring a Skip for Soil?Two main alternatives to skip hire are grab hire or skip bags. Grab hire is where a lorry with a mechanical arm comes to your location, collects the soil from your site, and disposes of it. This is often more cost-effective than hiring a skip, as it eliminates waiting times and excess costs.Another alternative is to use skip bags. These are large canvas bags that can hold up to 4 tonnes of soil and are great for smaller projects or if you don’t have enough space on site for a skip.SummarySoil can be put in a skip, either a mixed waste or an inert waste skip. Remember, the largest skip that soil can be put in is an 8-yard skip (but always check with the skip hire service).

Skip Sizes: What Skip Size Do I Need? Skip Size Comparison GuideWhen it comes to skip hire, choosing the right skip size is crucial. It’s important to think about how much waste you need to dispose of. Skips range from 2 cubic yards (smaller domestic skips) all the way up to 16 cubic yards (larger, commercial skips).To help make your decision a little easier, we’ve put together this handy skip size guide that takes you through some of the most common sizes and their dimensions. Hopefully, you will be able to decide the correct skip size for your needs. Two important questions to ask when it comes to skip sizes are: How much waste do I have? And what space is available to place the skip?How Much Waste Do I Have?Each skip size can hold a certain quantity of unwanted waste. The easiest way to describe the quantity is by the number of full black bin bags it can hold. You will need to estimate the number of black bin bags it would take to hold all your waste.The average black bin bag that goes in your traditional dustbin will be 100 litres. So, imagine the amount of rubbish that would go into your traditional dustbin and that would equate to 1 bin bag.What Space is Available to Place the Skip?Now that you have worked out how much waste you have, you need to determine how much space you have to put the skip. Each skip size has specific dimensions, from 2-yard up to 16-yard. These dimensions can differ slightly from skip to skip.If you are going to place a skip on your driveway, you need to measure how big the driveway is to see what skip will fit. Please bear in mind you will also need enough space for the skip to be delivered by the skip lorry, so give yourself ample space. Furthermore, you will need space to load the skip, so allow some extra room for easy access.Skip Measurements: What is One Cubic Yard?A cubic yard is a unit of measurement. One cubic yard measures 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet, totalling 27 cubic feet. Skips are measured in cubic yards.UK Skip Sizes and DimensionsCheck out the skip sizes below:Anything Larger Than a 16-Yard Skip?Any larger than a 16-yard skip, and you are heading into roll-off skips or roll-on roll-off bins. These containers can hold large amounts of refuse and are predominantly used in commercial industries. Roll-off skips are very large and can vary from 18 yards to 60 yards.Most of the skip sizes listed above will have an optional drop door model. You can request this when you order the skip. It is also advised to check what your local council requires for the larger skips. Some councils require cones to be placed near the skips, especially for those placed on council land or to ensure visibility for road users.We hope this skip size guide was helpful. If you are having issues choosing the skip size you require, do not hesitate to get in contact at contact@justhire.com. One of our helpful team members will be more than happy to assist. It is better to get some advice about skip sizes than to hire a skip that doesn’t hold enough waste or won’t fit in the location.

Knowing how to fill a skip correctly can save you time and money. In this guide, we address key questions you may have about filling a skip and provide a walkthrough on how to fill a skip effectively and efficiently.How High Can You Fill a Skip?All skips have a limit to how high or full they can be filled, indicated by the walls of the skip. The waste you put into the skip should not exceed these walls. If you overfill a skip, the skip company may refuse to collect it as it can be dangerous.Remember to keep the skip at a level load, not piling over the skip walls. If you're unsure what that means for your skip, call the skip company; they can provide you with all the information you need. If you have overfilled the skip, simply remove some of the unwanted materials so that it is a level load.How Heavy Can You Fill a Skip?Skips are measured in cubic yards. One cubic yard can contain up to one thousand kilograms of waste. Therefore, a 2-yard skip will have a maximum weight of two thousand kilograms of waste. This logic can be applied up to an 8-yard skip with a maximum of eight thousand kilograms.However, for skips larger than 8 yards, such as a 10-yard skip, this logic does not apply due to weight restrictions. When you combine the weight of the skip, the waste, and the skip lorry, it cannot exceed legal weight limits. Remember, 10-yard skips up to 16-yard skips are for light waste only and cannot contain any hardcore such as brick, aggregate, or soil. For any heavy materials, you will need to hire a 2-yard up to a maximum 8-yard skip.What Can and Cannot Be Put in a Skip?This can be found here.How to Fill a Skip Efficiently and Maximise Your Skip SpaceSkips can be expensive to hire, so make sure you fill them efficiently to make the most of your time and money. When filling a mixed waste skip, you may have a variety of waste types such as hardcore, wood, plastic, household waste, and garden waste.Filling the skip in a particular way will make use of all the space in the skip. This walkthrough will take you step-by-step on how to fill your mixed waste skip in the most efficient way possible.1. Hire the Correct Size SkipEstimate how much waste you will have before ordering a skip. Most skip companies offer skips from 2 yards up to 16 yards.By estimating the amount of waste before ordering a skip, you can choose the exact size that suits your needs, avoiding the cost of a too-large skip or the inconvenience of needing a replacement skip if the one you hired was too small.2. Hire the Correct Type of SkipAlso, think about the type of skip you are going to order. You can order skips with drop doors, which are large doors at the end of the skip that can be lowered for easy access when filling. These drop-door skips are especially helpful with heavy waste like hardcore or soil.3. Position the Skip WellPosition the skip where it will be easy to fill. You will want enough room to lift items into the skip and use any hoists or equipment if needed. Consider the distance you may have to carry the waste; you don't want to carry heavy, bulky items over a large distance.You also need to think about the space required for the size skip you have ordered. Measure the space to ensure the skip will fit. Choose a location that the skip lorry can access for delivery and collection. Skip lorries require 3-4 meters of height clearance and at least 3 meters of width clearance.4. Use Equipment to Help Fill the SkipUse equipment like wheelbarrows to make filling the skip easier, saving you energy and time. You may want to construct a ramp into the skip using planks of wood; make sure they are sturdy and well-placed.5. Give Yourself Enough Time to Fill the SkipMost companies will give you up to 14 days to fill the skip. Make sure you have given yourself enough time, as you don’t want to be charged for extra days or a new skip altogether.6. Organise Your Waste into Piles:Pile one: Lightweight waste: garden waste, plastic, cardboardPile two: Heavy waste: builders’ rubble, bricks, hardcorePile three: Flat, long waste: planks of wood, drainpipes, postsPile four: Bulky items: tables, chairs, cupboards (break these down into smaller pieces, like removing table legs)7. Flat Items Along the Sides, Lightweight Waste in the Middle, then Heavy Waste on TopHere is a method to fill the skip in the most space-efficient way possible:Place long items along the sides to make the most of the space.Place lightweight waste such as garden waste in the middle of the skip, as it can be compressed when heavier items are placed on top.Put heavy waste on top of the lightweight items, such as rubble or brick, to compress the light waste.Repeat with another layer of lightweight waste followed by a layer of heavy waste. This maximises the space in the skip and prevents lightweight items from being blown away by the wind.8. Wait for 24 HoursIf you followed the method above, wait 24 hours after you have filled the skip. The lightweight waste in the middle will compress overnight, giving you even more space in the skip by morning.9. Level Load the SkipEnsure you do not overfill the skip. Overfilling is when items overflow the brim of the skip. If a skip is filled correctly, you should be able to place a wooden plank on the brim on one side, and it should run undisturbed and flat across to the brim on the other side. If you overfill a skip, the skip company can refuse to collect it and charge you for a wasted journey, which can be up to £100.Following these nine steps will make filling your skip both time and cost-effective. It will allow you to fit all your waste into a mixed skip with minimal fuss and save money by not having to order another. Summary - How to Fill a Skip?Do not overfill the skip.Do not put heavy waste in any skip size over 8 yards.Fill the skip efficiently.Author: James DuncanDate: 22/06/22 

You might be surprised at just how much you can put in a skip. From general household waste to building waste, there are many things that can be disposed of in a skip. However, there are also some hazardous items that can't be placed in a skip. If you fill your hired skip with any of these items, you could be charged heavily, or the skip hire company may refuse to collect the skip.Follow our guide to dispose of all your waste without a hitch.What You Can and Cannot put in a Skip Summary What Can You Put in a Skip?Things that can be put in a skip include anything that is not hazardous waste, such as:Construction Waste: Timber, rubble, and bricksInert Waste: Aggregates and soilGeneral Waste: Items that would normally go in your weekly black bin collectionGarden Waste: Grass clippings, weeds, and shrubberyPaper & Cardboard: Packaging or promotional cardsPlastic: Plastic bottles, detergent bottles, etc.Household Items: Furniture and carpetCommercial or Trade Waste: Large amounts of mixed wasteMetals: Drink cans, foil, bedframesWood: Old wood flooring, scrap wood from DIYIf you have any of the waste items above that need disposing of, a skip could be a great option.Are there any Exceptions or Can I be charged for any Items?Plasterboard is a type of construction waste that can be charged extra, and you may even need to hire a separate skip for it. One type of garden waste that may not be allowed in a skip is tree roots. Household waste such as mattresses can be charged extra. Carpet must be less than 10% of the waste in the skip and can be charged extra. What Can You Put in a Skip Summary What Can You Put in a Skip SummaryConstruction WasteInert WasteGeneral WasteGarden WasteCardboardPlasticHousehold ItemsCommercial or Trade WasteMetalsWoodFollow the list above, and your waste disposal should run smoothly. However, always check with the waste management company, as they may have their own regulations regarding their services.What Cannot be put into a Skip?Unfortunately, certain items cannot be placed in a skip. Items that cannot be put into a skip are any hazardous waste, which could cause harm.Skips are open-topped and can be accessed by anyone and anything. If a skip is placed on a public road, it cannot contain hazardous materials that could be accessed by the public. It is also important not to put items in the skip that the skip company cannot dispose of. These special items must be disposed of in a particular way by specialist recycling plants.If you put these items in a skip, the skip company will either refuse to collect the skip or charge you a large fine.Hazardous Items Include:Electrical Appliances: Televisions, computer monitors, washing machines, fridges, microwaves, etc. Due to the WEEE directive, all electrical equipment needs to be taken to a registered recycling centre and is prohibited from being put in a skip.Tyres: Old car or bike tyres are not allowed in a skip. They need to be disposed of differently from general waste.Upholstered Seating and Furniture: As of January 1, 2023, the Environmental Agency has stated that any upholstered seating must be disposed of as hazardous waste due to containing POPs (persistent organic pollutants). This includes: sofas, armchairs, futons and bean bags. Asbestos: Used in construction work for many years, asbestos must never be placed in a skip and requires specialist disposal.Harmful Chemicals: Includes anything that could be harmful to people and the environment, such as solvents and glue.Fluorescent Tubes: Contain mercury and cannot be put in a skip.Medical Waste: Includes biological waste or bodily fluids.Batteries: Contain harmful battery acid and must be taken to a recycling centre.Paint Cans & Paint Tins: Filled tins need to be disposed of at a disposal centre or local tip.Oil/Petrol/Diesel: Extremely flammable and should never be put in a skip.Gas Cylinders & Used Cylinders: Must be taken to recycling centres or back to the business from which they were purchased.Animal Waste: Includes deceased animals, fur, feathers, and excrement, which must be disposed of in a specialised manner.What Can't be put into a Skip Summary Electrical appliancesTyresUpholstered seating (including sofas)AsbestosHarmful chemicalsFluorescent tubesMedical wasteBatteriesFilled paint tinsOil/petrol/dieselGas cylindersAnimal wasteHiring a skip can be expensive, so make sure you do not put any of the materials listed above into a skip. If you do, the skip company will contact you and either refuse collection or charge you more.We hope this guide was helpful in understanding what can and cannot be disposed of in a skip. If you are unsure if something can go in the skip, the general rule of thumb is to contact the skip hire company first to see their prohibited items. Each skip hire service may have different rules.Now, if someone asks you, "What can you put in a skip?" you can confidently answer.