What is a Roll-on/Roll-off Skip?

A roll on roll off skip (RORO) is the biggest waste container in the waste industry, traditionally used for large quantities of non-hazardous waste. These large waste containers are excellent for high volumes of light and bulky waste. We have written this guide which will explain all you need to know about RORO skip hire.

How do Roll on Roll off Skips Work?

The RORO skip is a large rectangle container that can be rolled on and rolled off a flatbed transport truck. This differs from the skip which is lifted by a skip lorry.

What Size are Roll on Roll off Skips?

RORO skips come in a variety of sizes depending on the waste management company. Generally speaking the smallest RORO skip is the 15 yard and the largest a 40 yard RORO skip.

Dimensions of some of the sizes are below:

15 yard RORO skip

Can hold 12 tonnes of waste

6.2m x 2.4m x 1.22m

20 yard RORO skip

Can hold 15 tonnes of waste

6.2m x 2.4m x 1.5m

40 yard RORO skip

Can hold 12 tonnes of waste

6.2m x 2.4m x 2.4m

What Can a Roll on Roll off Skip be used for?

RORO Skips can be used for a variety of tasks:

Large construction projects
Industrial sectors
Large scale commercial use
Demolition waste

What Can be Put in a Roll on Roll off Skip?

RORO skips can be filled with a variety of non-hazardous waste such as:

Construction Waste: timber, rubble and bricks
Heavy Waste: aggregates and soil
General Waste: items that would normally go in your weekly black bin collection
Green Waste: soil, weeds and turf
Paper & Cardboard: packaging or promotional cards
Plastic: plastic bottles, fairy liquid bottles etc.
Domestic waste: furniture and carpet
Commercial or Trade Waste: large amount of mixed waste
Metals: from drink cans, foil, bedframes
Wood: old wood flooring, scrap wood from DIY

What Cannot be Put in a Roll on Roll off Skip?

Roll on Roll off skips cannot be filled with any hazardous waste. Prohibited items include:

Electrical appliances, such as computer monitors
Tyres
Upholstered Seating (including Sofas)
Asbestos
Harmful Chemicals
Fluorescent Tubes
Medical Waste
Batteries
Filled Paint Tins
Oil/Petrol/Diesel
Gas Cylinders

What is the Weight Limit for Roll on Roll off Skips?

Weight restrictions for ROROs will relate to the size of RORO skip you have hired for example a 15 yard RORO will have a weight limit of 12 tonnes. It is best practice to check with the skip supplier what their weight limits are, before filling the skip.

Can a Roll on Roll off Skip be put on a Road?

A RORO skip cannot be placed on a road, as you will not be able to obtain a skip permit from your local council for a skip that large. The largest skip that can be placed on the road is a 8-yard skip.

How Much does a Roll on Roll off Skip Cost?

The costing for a RORO hire can be broken down:

You will pay an upfront fee for the minimum tonnage
You will pay for the delivery of the RORO
You will pay for collection of the RORO
Once it has been collected, the waste will be weighed and you will pay for each tonne of waste collected

The area you are hiring from will also effect the price. A general rule of thumb is RORO hire in the south and in cities will be more expensive that in northern parts of the UK. For example RORO hire in Lydney, Gloucestershire will be more expensive than Cheadle, Manchester.

The size of the RORO will also effect the price, the upfront fee for a 20 yard will be more expensive than a 15 yard. The hire duration will also effect the price of RORO skips. Most companies will have a standard hire period after which you will be charged more.

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Roll on Roll off Skip?

Great for large volumes of waste: due to the size of the RORO skip you can dispose of huge amounts of waste

Cost effective: the capacity of the RORO skip means you will not require multiple skips. Therefore cutting down on costs

Versatility of waste: unlike large skips, such as 16-yard , the RORO can be filled with heavy waste like soil and rubble.

What are the Negatives of Hiring a Roll on Roll off Skip?

Require a large amount of space: due to their size the RORO skips require a lot more space than a skip.

Skip Placement: ROROs require enough space for the lorry to deliver the skip. This may reduce the options of where the skip can be placed. Cannot be placed on the road: ROROs cannot be placed on a road like a 4-yard skip can