What Can and What Can’t You Put in a Skip?

Posted 2 months ago

Are you wondering ‘what can I put in a skip?’ or ‘what can’t you put in a skip?’ Whether you’re clearing out your garage, managing a construction site or renovating your home, it is important to understand what you can and can’t put in a skip. This will ensure you don’t receive any unexpected fines, and it also helps the skip hire company to ensure items get processed correctly, which is better for the environment. So let’s break down what you can and can’t put in a skip and why.

What Can I Put in a Skip?

You might be wondering, ‘what can I put in a skip?’ There are lots of things that you are allowed to put in your skip. Here’s a list of common items you’re allowed to dispose of:

• Household waste: Broken toys, clothes, and general junk.
• Garden waste: Soil, grass clippings, branches, leaves, and tree trimmings.
• Renovation debris: Bricks, tiles, plasterboard, wood, metal, and rubble.

Office or commercial waste: Paper, cardboard, and light packaging materials.

What Can’t You Put in a Skip?

Now for the important part, what can’t you put in a skip? It is important to ensure you don’t put these items in your skip unless your skip hire company has clearly stated that you can. Here are the top things to keep out of your skip:

• Batteries: Including car batteries and household batteries. These contain harmful chemicals.
• Asbestos: Highly dangerous and needs expert removal.
• Paint, solvents, and oils: These can be flammable and toxic.
• Gas cylinders: Even empty ones can be hazardous.
• Electrical items (WEEE): Things like TVs, fridges, and computers should go to a proper recycling centre.
• Medical waste: Needles, sharps, and medications can pose serious health risks.
• Tyres: Most skip companies won’t accept them due to disposal regulations.

If you’re caught disposing of any of these improperly, it can lead to fines or refusal to collect the skip.

Additional Charges for Certain Items

Some items can be placed in your skip or brought to our Waste Transfer Station, but they come with additional disposal charges due to how they need to be processed. Here’s a quick list of items and their associated fees:

• Mattress:  £25 +VAT
• Large POPs (Sofa/ Armchair):  £30 +VAT
• Small POPs (Office Chairs/ Footstools etc): £20 +VAT 
• Tyre’s (Car): £10 +VAT
• Tyre’s (Van): £12.00 +VAT
• Tyre’s (Lorry): £14 +VAT
• Fridge/freezer Under counter (complete with compressor): £35 +VAT
• Fridge/freezer Full height (complete with compressor): £45 +VAT
• American Fridge Freezers (complete with compressor): £72 including VAT
• Any Fridge/Freezer without compressor: £30 including VAT

Why Are Some Items Not Allowed?

The reason that these items are typically prohibited from skips is for health and safety, and environmental reasons. Electrical items are typically made up of various materials that need to be recycled separately to prevent pollution and to protect the environment. If you are unsure whether or not something can go into a skip, it is always best to check with your skip hire company and avoid any complications. 

Quick Tips to Stay on the Right Side of Skip Rules

• Double-check with your skip hire company: Policies can vary slightly depending on your location and provider.
• Separate recyclables: It’s more eco-friendly and sometimes cheaper.
• Don’t overfill your skip: Items shouldn’t stick out above the rim. Overfilled skips may not be collected.
• Use clear labelling: If you’re managing a shared skip (like on a job site), label areas or provide a list of what’s okay to toss in.

If you’ve ever wondered ‘what can I put in a skip’ or ‘what can I put in a general waste skip’, you’re not alone, it’s a common question. And knowing what can’t you put in a skip is just as important. Understanding what you can and can’t put into a skip will prevent any problems and make your life much easier. 

At Hurleys Skip Hire, we’re here to support you with professional, reliable skip hire, recycling services, and a commitment to responsible waste disposal. Need help getting started? Contact us today, and we’ll help ensure you fill your skip responsibly.

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