Can you put a fridge in a skip?

Posted 3 weeks ago

Whether you are renovating or moving home and need to hire a skip, our skip hire services provide the ideal solution for helping you to dispose of rubbish and clutter that you no longer need. 

Although it can be tempting to throw anything and everything into your skip, it is important to understand your provider’s regulations to ensure you don’t put anything in there that is prohibited. Something we often get asked here at Hurleys is ‘can you put a fridge in a skip?’. The simple answer to this question is no, unless you pay an additional charge of £35+VAT for under-counter fridges or £45+VAT for full-height fridges. 

In this article, we will explain why you can’t just put a fridge in the skip and why we have additional charges for disposing of them. 

Why can’t you put a fridge in a skip? 

Generally, fridges can’t be put in a skip due to the chemicals that they contain. They are classified as hazardous waste due to the following chemicals:

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
• Electrical components, including the compressor

Fridges contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment if they are not handled properly. It is important to always check with your skip provider on whether they can process hazardous waste. If you don’t follow their instructions, you could face a fine or penalty; therefore, it is always best to check.

Why do we charge additional for disposing of fridges?

There are several reasons why we charge an additional fee for processing fridges and freezers. From additional labour to special handling and environmental regulations, these are some of the reasons why they are an additional cost.

Disposing of hazardous waste

Due to the hazardous nature of fridges and freezers, they have to be disposed of with extra care and handling that takes our team longer to process. If a fridge were to be damaged during transit, there is a potential risk of releasing refrigerants, which are extremely hazardous chemicals that can be harmful to people and the environment. It is always advisable to seek specialist help and support when disposing of a fridge. 

Additional labour and equipment

As a result of having to process fridges and freezers more carefully, this usually involved additional labour and specialist equipment to ensure they are transported safely and prevent the release of any hazardous chemicals.

Environmental regulations

Hurleys Skip Hire is committed to environmental responsibility. We are constantly reviewing our processes to keep in line with current environmental regulations and legislation surrounding the handling of your waste. As we are fully licensed with the Environment Agency as a waste transfer station and waste carrier, we ensure that all waste is dealt with safely and responsibly following the waste hierarchy. 

Disposing of a fridge requires more time and labour and a commitment to environmental regulations, which is why we charge an additional fee to do this. 

Alternative ways to dispose of a fridge

If you’re still wondering how you can dispose of your fridge, there are alternative solutions you can take. You can recycle your fridge at your local recycling plant if you have the means to transport it. Additionally, you can bring it to our waste transfer station, where we can dispose of it safely at our additional fee.

Alternatively, if your fridge is not actually broken, you could consider donating it or selling it locally using eBay, Facebook marketplace or a local forum. If you are unsure about what else you can put in a skip, check out our guide on what you can and can’t put in a skip.

If you’re undertaking a large renovation, such as installing a new kitchen, we recommend using a builder’s skip to be on the safe side. Going a size bigger is usually cheaper than having to order a second, smaller skip later. It’s worth remembering that many electrical appliances can’t be put into skips, so ensure you check with your skip provider before disposing of these items. 

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

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