Can You Put Soil in a Skip?

You might be wondering whether you can put soil in a skip? Yes, you can dispose of soil in a skip, but there are a few important things to consider before hiring one.

 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 you 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 Skip Sizes Are Not Suitable for Soil?

Soil and other heavy inert waste materials cannot be placed in skips larger than 8 yards, such as 10 or 12-yard skips. Although these larger skips can hold a significant amount of material, filling them with soil would make them too heavy for the skip lorry to lift. As a result, skip hire companies impose weight limits, restricting the size of skips suitable for soil.

The maximum size skip for soil or inert waste is typically an 8-yard skip, but some companies may limit it further to a 6-yard skip. It's always important to confirm with your skip hire provider before disposing of soil to avoid collection issues. If the skip exceeds weight limits, it 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.

Summary

Soil 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).