Skip Guide: How to Fill a Skip

Knowing how to fill a skip correctly can save you time and money. In this guide we look at the key questions you may have when it comes to filling a skip. Lastly we give you a walk through on how to fill a skip effectively and efficiently.

How High can you Fill a Skip?

All skips will have a limit to how high or how full they can be filled. This will be indicated by the walls of the skip. The waste you put into the skip with should not exceed these walls. If you overfill a skip the skip company may refuse to collect it as it can be dangerous.

Just remember when filling the skip keep it to a level load, not piling over the skip walls. If you are not sure what that means with your skip, call the skip company they can provide you with all the information you will need.

If you have overfilled the skip, simply take out 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. 

But when skip sizes get as big as a 10 yard skip this logic does not apply. This is due to weight restrictions. When you combine the weight of the skip, the waste and the skip lorry this 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. 

What Can and Cannot be put in a Skip?

This can be found here!

How to Fill a Skip Efficiently and Maximise your Skip Space

Skips can be an expensive piece of equipment to hire so make sure you fill them efficiently making the most of your time and money. When filling a mixed waste skip you could have a variety of waste types from hardcore, wood, plastic, household waste and garden waste.

Filling the skip in a particular way will make use of all the space of the skip. This walkthrough will take you through step by step on how to fill your mixed waste skip in the most efficient way possible. 

1. Hire the Correct Size Skip

Estimate how much waste you are going to have before ordering a skip. Most skip companies will offer from a 2-yard skip up to a 16-yard skip.

By estimating the amount of waste you have before ordering a skip, you can choose the exact size that suits your waste needs and you won't be spending money on either a size of skip you do not need or having to order a replacement skip as the one you hired was too small. 

2.  Hire the Correct Type of Skip 

Also think about the type of skip you are going to order. You can order skips with drop doors, this is a large door at the end of the skip which can be lowered for easy access when filling the skip. These drop door skips are especially helpful with heavy waste like hardcore or soil. 

3. Position the Skip well

You want to position the skip where it will be easy to fill. You will want enough room to be able to lift items into the skip and use any hoists or equipment if they are needed. Think about the distance you may have to carry the waste, you do not want to have 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 you have in mind to make sure the skip will fit.

You will also need to choose somewhere that the skip lorry can access for delivery and collection. Skip lorries will require 3-4 metres or height clearance and at least 3 metres width clearance. 

4. Use Equipment to Help Fill the Skip

Use equipment liked wheelbarrows to make filling the skip easier. It will save you energy and time. You may want to construct a ramp up into the skip using planks of wood, make sure they are sturdy and well placed. 

5. Give yourself Enough Time to Fill the Skip

Most companies will give you up to 14 days to fill the skip. Just make sure you have given yourself time to fill the skip, as you don’t want to be charged for extra days or a new skip all together.

6. Organise your Waste into Piles:

(This will make sense when you see point 7)

Pile one. Light weight waste: Garden waste, plastic, cardboard

Pile two. Heavy Waste: Builders’ rubble, bricks, hardcore

Pile three. Flat long waste: planks of wood, drainpipes, posts

Pile four. Bulky items: Tables, chairs, cupboards (with these items its best to try and break them down into smaller pieces, like taking the legs of a table)

7. Flat items along the Sides, Lightweight waste in the Middle, then Heavy Waste on Top

Here is a method on how to fill the skip in the most space efficient way possible:

By placing long items along the size, you will be making the most of the space in the skip, these items may be planks of wood or drainpipes.

Place light weight waste such as garden waste in the middle of the skip, this waste can be compressed when heavier items are placed on top

Put heavy waste on top of the lightweight items, such as rubble or brick, this will compress the light waste.

You can then repeat with another layer of lightweight waste followed by a layer of heavy weight waste. This will make the most of the space in the skip but will also stop any lightweight items being blown away in the wind.

This technique when filling a skip will maximise the space you have to fill. 

8. Wait for 24 hours

If you followed the method above wait 24 hours after you have filled the skip. The lightweight waste in the middle of the skip will compress overnight and you will have even more space in the skip by the morning. 

9. Level Load the Skip

Make sure you do not overfill the skip. Overfilling the skip is when items are overflowing 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 over the opening of the skip to the brim on the other side undisturbed and laying flat. 

If you overfill a skip, the skip company can refuse to collect it and will charge you for a wasted journey, this 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. 

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Summary - How to Fill a Skip?

• Do Not Over Fill the Skip

• Do Not Put Heavy Waste in any Skip Size Over 8-Yards 

• Fill the Skip Efficiently 

Author: James Duncan 

Date: 22/06/22