What Can You Put in a Skip Bin?
While skip bins are perfect for managing a wide variety of waste, there are still certain items you should avoid throwing away. Though it might be tempting to see your skip bin as a free-for-all when it comes to waste collection, there are some important reasons you should consider and manage what you put inside it.
Here, we’ll outline what types of rubbish most skip bins accept and what types they cannot take. With this key information, you can make sure your project runs smoothly and safely.
For personalised advice, contact our team at Red Man Bin Hire today.
Why There are Rules
There are a few important reasons why you need to be careful what you place inside your skip bins.
Safety
Hazardous materials improperly disposed of can cause a safety risk. It could potentially cause damage to the bins and even pose a health risk to different workers, depending on the substance. This is an important reason why certain waste disposal is regulated. Before throwing away potentially harmful material it’s important to check what the recommended disposal process is. This can help protect workers, equipment and the environment.
Policy
Many skip bin hire companies also have different rules and regulations on what they can and can’t accept, based on the above reasons. Further, different companies also regulate waste based on cost. For instance, mattresses are often an additional cost as they often come with landfill levies.
Types of Waste Skip Bins Accept
While there are rules to keep in mind, skip bins still accept the vast majority of waste types. Here, we’ve broken them down into three different categories. With this information, you can manage your projects with confidence and organise your waste accordingly.
Green Waste
Green waste can commonly be disposed of in most skip bins. They generally accept everything from grass clippings and tree cuttings to dry leaf litter and branches and twigs. However, you may have to be mindful of the size of the waste in comparison to your skip.
Whether you’re redoing your entire garden, or cleaning up after a rough day, a skip is a great way to manage your natural waste.
Domestic Rubbish
Any skip bin that doesn’t accept domestic rubbish would make it nearly impossible to clear out a house. This is why most general bins will accept the majority of domestic waste. This includes old furniture, clothing, toys, curtains and even carpets.
Skip bins will also usually accept a lot of e-waste and white goods. E-waste refers to most technological items such as computers, televisions and radios. White goods include most home appliances such as washing machines, freezers, microwaves and more.
Light Building Debris
Light building debris is almost always accepted. This includes plasterboard, carpeting, timber as well as doors and cabinetry. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that your rubbish is generally lightweight and easy to move. If this is the case, your skip will likely accept it.
However, some companies may have different policies when managing building debris, whether it be light or heavy. This may include weight or capacity restrictions along with what they can and cannot accept.
What You Cannot Put in a Skip Bin
Most of the items and debris that a skip bin will not accept are dangerous to handle or be near. If this is the case, the items in question will likely have specific handling and disposal requirements you should carefully adhere to.
Here we’ll outline the different materials that most skip bins do not allow.
- Batteries
- Asbestos
- Liquid waste
- Food waste
- Insulation materials
- Medical waste
- Gas bottles
- Oil and oil bottles
- Tyres
- Cement
Cement, rubble, bricks and tiles are also not often accepted as these can sometimes carry silica dust. This is a dangerous substance that could negatively affect the health of the people interacting with it.
Managing Your Bin
Even if all your rubbish is accepted by your skip bin, it’s still important to manage your bins correctly. This means that you should avoid overfilling your bin, as that can also prove to be a hazard and make transport more difficult.
For All Your Waste Removal Needs
At Red Man Bin Hire, our skip bins will accept all the standard types of waste. As long as you avoid hazardous materials, you’ll be able to keep any site clear and clean of debris and rubbish. If you’re ready to get started cleaning up, reach out to our team to discuss hiring the skip bin you need.
