Skip Hire Waste Restrictions Guide

What Can’t Go in a Skip? 

Everyone in the skip industry sets their own guidelines, so make sure you check with your local skip provider if you have an item you’re not sure about. Legal action can be taken if these guidelines aren’t adhered to. Here’s our list of restrictions:

Electrical Appliances and Equipment

These are the items we see people trying to put into their skips most often but they are strictly prohibited. They pose a potential hazard so therefore are restricted. This includes all electrical items that require a plug, batteries, or a charger. They must all be taken down to a specialist electrical recycling point. If you’re not sure where your closest one is, you can find it here.

POPs – Upholstered Furniture

These items can include sofas, armchairs, and footstools. Also known as Persistent Organic Pollutants – they contain harmful chemicals that do not break down in landfill. These items have to be tested, stored, processed, and sometimes destroyed in a proper facility. For this reason, they cannot be put into our skips without POP charges being applied. New government legislation was introduced on January 1st 2023 which set these changes into motion. If you have any item that you think could fit into this category please contact us for further informaiton.

Mattresses

Although not restricted, if you’d like to dispose of your mattress via a skip you have to let us know prior to placing it in there. We can dispose of it for you for an added cost of £45 – £50 + VAT per individual mattress.

Plasterboard

This restriction is the same across all skip companies and that’s due to its hazardous nature. If mixed with water or some other waste items it can release harmful and toxic fumes. We allow up to 2 bin bags of plasterboard placed on the top of your full skip but no more. If more is found within the skip, in a bag or not, you can be faced with a fine of 50% of the hire price. If you do have a considerable amount of plasterboard to get rid of, we can arrange plasterboard-only skips if you get in touch with us.

Batteries

Most people don’t know that batteries are hazardous and are restricted from your household bins and therefore skips as well. They are made from harmful substances including lead and if they leak, they can cause some severe consequences to people who come into contact with them. They need to be professionally cleaned before ending up in the landfill which is why they need to be taken to the appropriate disposal locations first. No matter the size of the battery, they need to be taken to battery bins first which can be found at your local supermarkets and petrol stations. You can find your closest disposal point here.

Paint, Solvents, and Fuels

We believe it’s fairly obvious that these 3 are restricted from your skips. They can easily cause harm to anyone who comes into contact with them, be that yourself or skip operators. They can cause chemical burns and injury if contact occurs. All three of these are combustible meaning they need to be carefully disposed of. They must all be taken to their appropriate, licensed disposal centre.

Gas Cylinders

Gas cylinders, although you may think they’re empty, always have residue left inside. The gas is flammable, meaning highly dangerous, and should be taken to a specialist if you are finished with them. The manufacturer of the cylinder will be able to advise you further on the disposal and most gas suppliers will take them back. Sometimes you can sell them to specialists that will re-use them for a little bit of money.

Asbestos

This is one of the most hazardous, and dangerous materials that can be found around the world. If exposed to it without the right protection, it can increase your chances of lung disease and cancer. It is strictly prohibited in skips and if you find it, contact a specialist immediately.

Glass

With glass, as it does pose a risk, we will accept just a small amount in our general mixed waste skips. This is due to the separation process and the risk of large shards of glass causing injury. If you do, however, have a much larger amount of glass to get rid of then we can still help too. If you give us a call we can arrange the booking of a glass-only skip which is charged by haulage (the transport) and weight.

Tyres & Other Items

Rubber items, such as tyres, we can help you dispose of responsibly for an extra cost like a mattress. It’s best to contact your local council if you have any items you’re not sure about. All companies set their own guidelines and regulations and will be able to explain further what they individually allow and don’t allow in their skips. No matter the restrictions, skips are still useful tools to manage your waste.

Medical Waste

All types of medical waste are prohibited from our skips whether that would be needles (unused or used) , bandages, or any bodily fluids. There are specific guidelines for the disposal of medical waste as it poses a large risk to others. We want to protect everyone from the risk of injury or infection that can be caused by biological waste which is why they are restricted from our skips. For more information, please visit the Department of Health.

Ready To Hire Your Skip?

Whilst some items are restricted from skips, it doesn’t make them any less useful when needing to manage larger quantities of waste. If you’re going to undertake any project that will produce waste, no matter if it’s domestic or commercial, hiring a skip prevents injury from debry and saves you so much time and effort that can be better spent elsewhere. 

Reliable Skip Hire Birmingham offers a great range of skips sizes that are perfect for anyone. You are guaranteed speedy collection and delivery whenever you want it. Check out our cheap prices today and hire yourself a great helping hand.