Can I Put Soil in a Skip?

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. Inert waste 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 are not capable of decomposing 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. These skip sizes range from a 2 yard skip up to an 8 yard skip.

If you hire an aggregate waste skip you must not fill it with any other waste materials but 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 you do not put any hazardous waste materials in the skip such as medical waste. If you do 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 house hold 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 soil can be put in is an 8 yard skip.

What Size Skips can Soil not be put in?

Soil and inert waste are heavy materials therefore cannot be placed in anything larger than a 8 yard skip, such as a 10 or 12 yard skip. These larger skips can hold a huge amount of materials. 

When filled with soil waste they are extremely heavy, whereby the skip lorry can no longer lift the filled skip. Therefore the skip hire companies place weight restrictions on how much weight can be in a skip which limits the size 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. But always check with the skip hire company, as some 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 pilled up high.

Are there Alternatives to Hiring a Skip for Soil?

Two main alternatives to skip hire would be grab hire or a skip bags. Grab hire is where a lorry with a mechanical arm will come to location and collect the soil from your site and dispose of it. This is often more cost-effective than hiring a skip, as it eliminates waiting times and excess costs. 

Another alternative is to useskip 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. 

Summary

Soil can be put in a skip, either a mixed waste or a inert waste skip. Remember the largest skip that soil can be put in is an 8-yard  (but always check with the skip hire service).