When you have a lot of rubbish to dispose of, hiring a skip may be the best solution. Not only is it a convenient way to remove a large amount of waste in one go, but it also helps avoid fly-tipping. Before you choose which option to go for, It is always important to consider the following factors when choosing a skip hire company. Here is what to look for in a waste removal company.
Consider what you need to get rid of
Before hiring anyone, consider what the waste is you need to dispose of. Although skips can house a range of items, there are certain products or materials that cannot be placed in the skip. Although there are some overarching rules across the industry, each skip hire company can be different. So it is imperative you check the skip hire company will accept the items you need to throw away.
Ensure they have the right size
If you are doing a Spring clean, undertaking a complete house renovation, or clearing out an office, you must ensure the skip hire company has a skip big enough for your needs. Always go for a slightly bigger size than you anticipate to ensure all your rubbish can be disposed of at the same time and reduce the need for multiple skip hires.
What are their recycling policies
It is possible to contact your skip hire company and find out what their recycling policy is. The impact waste has on the environment, is increasingly concerning and everyone should be playing their part. Whenever possible, a skip hire company should be recycling their products. This is to ensure that the amount of waste that ends up at the landfill is always kept to the absolute minimum.
What is the time frame?
How long do you need the skip for? Check with the skip hire company what time frames they offer. If you are starting a large project, ensure you can keep the skip for a long enough time. Alternatively, if you have the rubbish already collected, check to see if they offer a wait and load service. This can be a convenient and quick option as your waste is quickly collected and taken away immediately.
Look at reviews
When searching for a skip hire company, it can be beneficial to read reviews before you pick one. This will allow you to read the experience of other clients and this can help you see if they are the right company for your needs.
These are just 5 factors that you should consider before choosing your skip hire company. You need to ensure you are happy with your choice and that your requirements can be met. Doing so will ensure all your waste will easily be taken care of for you in a convenient, quick way.
To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal and recycling needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.
What to look for in a waste removal company
How to Tackle a Wardrobe Clear-out
Clearing out your wardrobe can be a daunting task, especially if you do not do it regularly. It is surprising how quickly rubbish can build up over the years. Here, we discuss how best to tackle a wardrobe clear-out, to make the task easier to finish, leaving you with a clutter-free wardrobe.
Remove EVERYTHING
Start by removing absolutely everything from your wardrobe. You may be shocked by how much stuff is crammed inside. You will not be able to successfully complete a clear out if you do not start with an empty wardrobe. Once everything has been taken out, give the inside of your wardrobe a quick clean.
Make a recycling pile
Start by separating the items you want to keep with those that you do not. Make sure you are brutal with this. If you have forgotten you owned it or haven't worn/used something for months, then it is probably a sign it is not worth keeping. Once you have a not wanted pile, organise this into what can be recycled and what can’t be. This is important as it will significantly reduce the amount of waste that will end up in a landfill.
Send items to a clothing bank
There are many clothing banks, especially at supermarkets. Donate what you think will be useful, ensuring you are not donating items that are of bad quality.
Create a sell and swap pile
From the remaining items, consider if there are any that you could potentially sell. A clear-out is an amazing opportunity to earn some extra money from the items you no longer want or need. Also, consider swapping items. Speak to your friends and organise a clothing swap party. This helps you get rid of your unwanted clothes and end up with something new that you will actually wear.
Can you repair anything?
You may stumble across items that are a bit worse for wear. Before you automatically go to chuck it away, ask yourself whether you can fix it? If the answer is no, can you use it for another function? This involves a bit of creative thinking but there any many ways to reuse unwanted items for a different purpose.
Hire a skip
Wardrobes do not just contain clothes. There is a myriad of waste and clutter that can end up being shoved into our wardrobes. Consider hiring a small skip when tackling your wardrobes. This is a great method of getting rid of all your rubbish in one go. The waste will be separated and recycled if possible, giving you peace of mind that you are reducing landfill waste as much as possible. It is also good if you do not have the time to separate the items into sell and donate piles. It also saves significant time on trips to the tip and recycling centres.
Get organising
Once you have gone through your “to throw” pile, you can get started on organising the stuff you are keeping. You should only have items that fit you well, that you wear regularly or recently and that you still like. There is no point keeping things for the sake of it. If you do not have a lot of wardrobe space, separate your clothes into Spring / Summer and Autumn / Winter. Place the out of season clothes at the back of the wardrobe or in vacuum-packed bags. This keeps the items you are not going to wear yet out of the way. Once the weather changes, swap them over.
Keep on top of it
Once you have done the clear-out it is important to keep on top of it. The first clear-out will always be the most time consuming and hard work. However, undertaking mini subsequent tidy ups will help ensure you do not need to repeat the process as much.
It is important to tidy out your wardrobe on a regular basis. Not only is it a satisfying task once it is completed, but it also allows you to donate unwanted items, clear space and help keep the items left neat and improve their longevity. Here is a quick guide on how to achieve this and end up with a clean and tidy wardrobe.
To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal and recycling needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.
Easy Ways to Recycle at Home
It can sometimes be overwhelming knowing what can and cannot be recycled, it can also be simple to make small changes that lead to a large decrease in household waste. Here, we share some easy ways to recycle at home.
When gifting to others, avoid excess packaging and only use wrapping that can be recycled. There are also some inventive ways to wrap a present. For example, you can use a nice scarf to wrap it up as a beautiful, reusable alternative.
Reduce the amount of paper post you receive by going paperless.
If you have a local milkman, why not try using them? Not only will you get fresh milk straight to your doorstep, but they will also remove the glass bottles for you and you know the materials are reusable so waste is kept a minimum.
When buying electrical items for outdoors try and opt for solar options instead of battery ran.
Grow your own vegetables and fruit in your own garden. It doesn't matter if you only have a small garden or balcony as some fruit and plants can still grow well in containers or on windowsills.
Compost when possible. Compost bins are a great place to store your garden waste, vegetable peelings, cardboard, shredded paper and more.
If you have unwanted paper, use it as shopping lists or notepads first until it is full. Alternatively, shred your paper and use the shredding for compost, or stuffing for hampers.
Stop using cling film and buy reusable covers instead. They act the same as cling film but they are less fiddly to use and do not cause any waste.
Before you throw anything away stop and think if you can donate it. Furniture can even be donated and sometimes collected from your house, making it an easy thing to do.
There are many everyday items that you can repurpose. For example, clean out old jam jars or candles to repurpose them as storing other items.
If you need to print anything, always double side print, whenever you can, to cut down on paper and ink used.
Pack your lunch in reusable containers rather than using film or tin foil.
When having a clear-out, consider hiring a skip as this can ensure as much as your waste is being recycled as possible.
In your weekly shop, use reusable bags to store your fruit and veg and opt for loose versions to cut down on packaging.
When buying cleaning products and hand soap among other things, buy refills rather than new products as this is a great way to cut down on packaging.
Little and often can make a huge impact. By all of us doing our little bit we can significantly recycle more and cut down on waste. These are just some of the ways we can reuse, recycle and reduce waste.
To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal and recycling needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.
Tips for removing rubbish from DIY projects
If you are undertaking a DIY project, there will inevitably be a lot of waste to dispose of. If you want to remove the hassle of getting this waste cleared, then hiring a skip is a great option. To help you tackle your DIY project, here are some top tips on how to ensure your DIY projects are done promptly, efficiently and with no lingering mess.
Consider what waste you will create
Before you start any project, always have in the back of your mind how you are going to get rid of the rubbish you create. The amount of waste a DIY project produces can vary significantly. If you are only redecorating one room, this will create substantially less waste than a complete kitchen refit. Knowing in advance roughly how much waste you will create can help you ensure you have the correct measures to remove this waste quickly.
Also, consider what type of waste you will create. DIY project waste can range from empty paint tins, old furniture to electrical items or even asbestos. When hiring a skip or heading to the tip, there are rules on what can and cannot be disposed on. Before starting your project, ensure you know the correct procedure on how to dispose of this waste.
Decide on the best waste disposal method
Once you know what waste the project will probably produce, decide on the best way to get rid of it. For the majority of materials, hiring a skip is usually the best method. This allows you to remove your waste in one go, knowing that it will be sorted at the other end, with anything that can be recycled separated and reused.
Of course, hiring a skip is not the only option. Many items can be disposed of at the local recycling centre. However, you will need to carefully factor in the potential mess the waste will cause in your car, how much fuel and time it will take to take several trips to the recycling centre and back and whether the items will fit in the car at all.
Decide on the skip size you need
Hiring a skip means that you don’t have to worry about trips to the recycling centre, or having the mess littering your property or garden. If you do leave your DIY rubbish in your garden for a long period of time, you can be putting yourself at risk of getting a fine for fly tipping, even if it is on your own land. This is something you should always consider before starting any major project.
As you know roughly how much waste your project will create, you can make an educated guess on what sized skip you will need. Always refer to a skip size guide before choosing to ensure that it will fit everything you need. Try and go slightly larger than you think as projects tend to create more waste than initially anticipated. On the other hand, don’t go for anything too big as it will be costly if you are not using the skip to its full potential.
Here is a rough guide on which skip sizes are suitable for which DIY projects
4 Yard Skip- Small domestic refurbishments, small garden clearances, small house clearances
6 Yard Skip- Domestic refurbishments, home clear-outs, office clear-outs
8 Yard Skip- Larger domestic projects, general construction, full office clear-outs, full home clear-outs, large garden clearances
12 Yard Skip- Larger DIY projects, Large renovations, Full office clear-outs, full house clear-outs
Decide on where the skip will be placed
Once you have decided on hiring a skip, you will need to plan where you are going to place it. Ideally, you would have it on your drive on in the front garden as this makes it quick to access and can help you speed up your projects. However, many do not have the space to place the skip on their land making the street the only option. This is fine, however, you just need to ensure the correct permits are obtained beforehand. Many skip- hire companies will help you with this.
Do you think the project will be done in a day? Then you may have another option. Wait and Load services allow you to have a skip temporarily to quickly load your rubbish and then it is immediately taken away from you. This is an ideal option for those who are doing smaller projects or do not have space for a skip to stay overnight. Choosing this option still saves you countless trips to the recycling centre whilst also avoiding any needs for permits.
What’s Next?
Renovating your home and undertaking DIY projects can be extremely rewarding. However, removing the waste created is never the fun part. These top tips are just some of the ways to ensure that your DIY projects remain stress-free. Knowing how to quickly get rid of the waste these projects create can really make a difference and help you progress more quickly as you do not have any rubbish in your way.
Top Tips For A House Spring Clean
Once Spring has sprung, it is the perfect time to attempt a big spring clean of your home. It can, however, be a daunting task to undertake. It is surprising how much clutter can accumulate over time. With many of the items being things we don’t’ realistically need or use in the home. Not sure where to start? Here, we share some top tips to help make spring cleaning a breeze.
Plan Your Time
Start by deciding when you are going to tackle the spring clean. If you don’t set aside a specific time, it will be a task that is constantly pushed back. If there are a lot of items to get rid of, start by hiring a skip, either for one day or longer. Once you have the skip booked, it will mean you must do the spring clean then and will give you focus. In addition to this, you should allocate a certain amount of time for each room. Don’t be too specific, you only need a rough guideline. Also, overestimate the time slightly as it can take a lot longer than you first anticipate, especially if you want to do a thorough job.
By planning your time effectively, you can make the massive task of a house clearance into a relatively stress-free and perhaps even enjoyable task. Although make sure you give yourself enough breaks.
Separate Your Stuff
Whilst you are making your way through the house, make yourself two main piles. Throw and Keep. By only have two piles, it makes the process simpler. If you have become a hoarder over the years, try to think about the last time you have used the item (and be honest with yourself!) If it has been more than a couple of years, then you more than likely do not need it.
Donate and Sell
Now you need to go through the throw pile and organise it. Decide how you are going to get rid of it. If you have items such as clothing that are still in good condition or have entertainment items such as books and games, then consider donating these to a local charity. Just ensure that what you are donating is in good enough condition to be of use to someone.
If you think someone else would definitely want some of your things, you could always try and sell it. There are many places online to sell you stuff with ease and it's a great way to earn money from items you weren’t even using. Finally, the majority of what is left over can be placed in a skip, which is also a great way of getting rid of bulkier items that you would struggle to fit in your car and take to the tip. Always check the list of items you are NOT allowed to place in a skip first. Once your skip has been taken away, your waste will be sorted to ensure what can be recycled, is.
Make the most of your skip
The joy of hiring a skip is that you have the peace of mind that you can place a mixture of items into the skip, and know that the waste will consequently be sorted and recycled where possible, which takes the guess work out for you.
A major drawback of undertaking a massive house-clean is having the space to place the items you no longer need. Keeping a skip on your driveway or outside your home on the street, gives you a convenient location to place your rubbish, allowing you to carry out the task in a much smoother and efficient manner. Seeing the rubbish build up can be an extremely rewarding feeling and help you feel like you are making good progress.
Team Up
If you are clearing out your home, your neighbours may be considering the same thing. It is worth asking them as you can then split the cost of the skip hire and get a larger size to accommodate everything you want to get rid of. Always hire a skip that is slightly bigger than what you think you need, just in case you end up with more rubbish that you first anticipated. You can then work together to move some of the bulkier items.
Make it a regular thing
Once you have sorted out your house, try not to let it get into the state it was before you started the Spring clean. By keeping the cleans regular, you can ensure you stay on top of it, and make the task easier each time.
To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.
How to Recycle Electrical Items
Ready to recycle electrical appliances?
Our homes are full of electrical items. From alarm clocks to mobile phones, irons, washing machines, lawnmowers, CD Players, gaming consoles, toasters and TVs. The list is endless.
However, we inevitably come to a point where the item is either broken, needs upgrading or just plain out of fashion. But what is the best way to dispose of electric items and is it possible to recycle them? Here we discuss the best options available.
What is the WEEE Directive?
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive was first introduced in 2007 and regulated the way manufacturers, importers and distributors in European countries recycle.
The directive is regularly updated in order to continue reducing the amount of waste from electronic equipment being incinerated or sent to landfill sites. For more information on the WEEE directive visit https://www.gov.uk
How to get the most from your electronic devices?
The most effective way to reduce the amount of electronic waste you are producing is to look after your appliance or device so that it can last as long as possible. Many appliances come with guidelines from the manufacturer. Give these a read as they regularly include a maintenance guide that will help extend the appliance's lifetime.
What Electrical Items Can Be Recycled?
If your item no longer works and you want to get rid of it in the safest and most responsible way then recycling is the best way to go. We currently do not recycle nearly as much electrical equipment than we could. These devices are made up of a variety of materials, many of which can easily be reused.
In some instances, you may not know if an item is recyclable. It is this lack of knowledge and understanding will end up stopping you from doing so.
An easy way to see if an electrical item is recyclable is to ask yourself the following questions. Does the item...
Use batteries?
Have a plug?
Use a charger?
Have a picture of a crossed-out wheelie bin on it? - This is the logo for WEEE.
How to Dispose of Electronic Items
Due to the WEEE directive, electrical items should not be placed in a skip as there are other options available to ensure the items are disposed of in the correct way. Some local councils can organize the collection of small electrical items, so you should contact them to see if they can help.
Another option is to take your electrical item to your local recycling centre as they have dedicated sections for these items.
As part of the WEEE Directive, all retailers need to provide customers with a method of disposing of their old electronic equipment, if they are supplying the customer with a new version of the same item. This is why many stores will offer a collection service or a take-back scheme. Always check with your retailer when purchasing a new electrical item. Be aware as some charges may apply.
Is Your Electrical Item Still Working?
There are many occasions where your electrical appliance still works but you still want to get rid of it. In those cases, you could consider reselling it as long as it still in good working condition. It is a great opportunity to not only reduce the waste you are creating but earn some money at the same time.
You can trade in electronic items in certain stores and receive some money in exchange or store credit.
Another option is donating the item. You will need to check however as some charity shops do accept electrical items. You should also ask friends and family in case they would like to take the items off your hand.
Other Ways to Reduce Electrical Waste
Although it is becoming increasingly easy for us to recycle our household electrical items, trying to reduce our waste in the first place will benefit the environment. Here are a few ways to do this:
Buy high-quality smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms that have long-life batteries
Use rechargeable batteries rather than disposable
Choose wind-up torches rather than battery
Buy tools that can share a battery rather than using individual batteries
There are many ways to correctly dispose of electrical waste and ensure you recycle electrical items where possible. To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal and recycling needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.
5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Skip Hire
Online skip hire has never been easier. The Internet gives us the flexibility to decide which skip size we need and when we need it Whether it's for a general house spring clean, a house renovation, a loft conversation or a garden project, skips can help you manage your waste.
Here are 5 ways for you to make the most of your skip hire
1. Be careful when choosing the skip size
It’s common for people to want to hire the smallest skip in order to save money. People may also choose the smallest skip size because they are concerned they do not have sufficient space to store the skip. Do your research beforehand in order to get the skip size you actually need. Be realistic with the waste you have. If you know it will be a tight fit, then don’t risk hiring the smallest size. Instead, go up a size until you are confident it will be big enough to get rid of all your rubbish in one go. Otherwise you may have to hire another skip at another time, or take several trips to the tip.
2. Use The Space Efficiently
Don’t just throw stuff into the skip. Not only can this be potentially dangerous as it can lead to injuries from straining and lifting heavy items, but you don’t know if children or pets have climbed into the skip. By placing the items carefully in the skip, you can ensure all the space is used. Wherever possible, break the rubbish down to use less space. This is especially effective for packaging boxes and furniture. Ensuring all the space is used efficiently will mean you can fit more waste in, but keep an eye on the levels to ensure you do not overfill the skip.
3. Consider The Timing Carefully
Think carefully about what free time you have to use the skip. It is common to hire a skip for 2 weeks, giving you plenty of time to finish your projects. However, if you think the project will not take that long, consider a one day hire skip. This reduces the need for a permit as the rubbish gets removed immediately. If you plan the timing carefully, you can have the rubbish outside of your home all ready for collection, saving you precious time.
4. Combine Your House Jobs
Rather than having to hire a skip several times, try and time your projects so that you can use the same skip for more than one project. For example, if you are doing a house clear out, do you have time to combat the garden shed clear out you were also planning on tackling at some point? If you have a skip hired for two weeks, you can easily combine your jobs to get the most out of your skip hire.
5. Check what items you want to get rid of in advance
Before you hire a skip, try to plan what items you will need to get rid of. It’s easy to think that skips are able to take away any rubbish for you but this is not the case. Before you hire a skip, read which items you are and are not allowed to place in the skip. Knowing this information in advance will save you from placing any forbidden item in there and will also impact the size of the skip you will need.
Here are just 5 things you should consider before hiring a skip so that you can ensure you make the most of it and are as productive as possible.
To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal and recycling needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.
48 Things You Should Get Rid Of In Your House
Your house can soon fill up with rubbish and it is always a good idea to have a sort out every now and then. It is surprising the number of things you can find in your home that you do not need or have no use for and yet for some reason you haven’t thrown out yet. Sometimes it can be daunting to do a big tidy up however if you take it one room at a time and then do it on a regular basis, you can keep on top of the clutter.
Here are 48 things you will find around your hope that you should get rid of
1. Old Toiletries
2. Old Makeup
3. Appliance manuals- These are important to keep but only whilst you own the appliance. Haven’t had it for years? Then why are you holding on to the manual? A lot of manuals are now available on line as well
4. Cables and wires, you don’t need any more
5. Old kitchen appliances
6. Broken coat hangers
7. Old underwear or worn out clothes
8. Old Knives
9. Dead Batteries
10. Old Calendars, notebooks and stationery
11. Broken fairy lights
12. Old hairbrushes
13. Old Electronic items
14. Old sofas and other furniture
15. Empty pens
16. Worn out shoes
17. Books you have read
18. Games and Jigsaws with pieces missing
19. Odd socks
20. Exercise equipment you don’t use
21. Expired Food
22. Expired medicine
23. Old pairs of glasses
24. Broken Jewellery or single earrings
25. Scraps of fabric or wool
26. Dying house plants
27. Worn towels
28. Half burned candles
29. Dried paintbrushes
30. Receipts you no longer need
31. CDs and DVDs
32. Spices
33. Old Christmas and Birthday Cards
34. Old magazines, newspapers and catalogues
35. Old crayons
36. Old bathmats
37. Old air fresheners
38. Old toys
39. Takeaway menus you don’t use
40. Old sheets, bedding and pillow
41. Photos, posters and artwork you no longer like or want to display
42. Empty perfume bottles
43. Tourist souvenirs from holiday
44. Old train or gig tickets
45. Expired vouchers
46. Loyalty cards you don’t use
47. Pay slips that are older than 2 years
48. Old phone covers
Struggling to figure out what to throw away? If you haven’t used it in the past 6 months (unless the item is seasonal like Christmas decorations, you more than likely do not need it) You may find yourself exaggerating how much you use the item, and underestimate how much space the item is actually taking up.
To help decide what you should throw away and what you should keep, ask yourself the following questions
When did you last use it?
How often do you use it?
How expensive was it?
How much space does it take up?
Does it have sentimental value?
Although some of these items can only be disposed of in specific ways, or you can donate the items that are still in good condition, many of these items can easily be disposed of in a skip. When you undertake a massive tidy session in your home, considering hiring a skip to help make the process a lot easier and more convenient for you.
To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.
LSPS guide to using a skip for house clearances
Do I need a skip license?
If you are placing the skip on your private property, then you will not require a skip permit. However, if you are intending to keep the skip on a public road, you will have to have a license to do this. LSPS will take the hassle out of this and we will handle all of the paperwork for you, so you don’t have to. Usually local councils take about 3 days to issue a license so please take these timings into consideration.
What are the benefits of using a skip hire for house clearances?
- There are so many reasons why hiring a skip might be the best solution for you:You can choose the size you need. Whether it is for a small or large clear out, you are in control of what size skip you need. There are five different skip hire options that we offer, so we can be flexible around your needs
- Convenience- having a skip delivered to your door can be extremely convenient and a precious time saver. It means you can get rid of your rubbish in one go and will save you time and money on travelling to and from the tip. If you only need a skip for a short while, we also offer a wait and load service which means you have a short window of time to get rid of your rubbish and we will immediately take the skip away for you, meaning you don’t have the skip outside your house overnight.
- Environmentally friendly - we will ensure that the rubbish in the skip will be recycled where possible.
This question completely depends on the individual circumstances. The ideal skip for you will depend on the amount of rubbish you need to get rid of. It is usually a case of the bigger the house, the bigger the skip needed. Refer to our skip size guide here which provides a visual representation of how much you can fit in each skip size. Just remember before choosing that it’s not always best to go for a smaller size if you think there is a chance you may fill it completely. You will be surprised once you start clearing stuff out how much more rubbish you have then you initially suspected. If you get a skip that is too small, you risk overfilling, and this could mean your skip cannot be taken away due to safety reasons. Alternatively, don’t go for too large a size as you need to consider how much space it will take up.
What can you put in the skip?
The list is almost endless of things you can put in the skip. It is more important to know what you can NOT place in the skip. Forbidden items include:
Liquids, oil, paint, asbestos, batteries, fridges, freezers, medical waste, AC units, hazardous and toxic materials, tyres and gas bottles.
Where do I put the skip?
Ideally you would have space on your private land or driveway to store the skip. This is convenient for you in many ways as it stops you needing a skip license, it is close to your house, and you can keep it there until you need to get rid of it. If this is not an option for you then you can usually have it on the road outside your house (as long as they are no restrictions). The only difference with this is that you will have to try and get a place as close to your home as possible and you will have to receive a skip license beforehand, so please bear this in mind when you are considering timings.
If you need any more advice about your house clearance and your skip requirements, then please speak to LSPS today. Contact us on 0800 083 7807. We are open Monday- Friday 07.30 and 16.30 and Saturdays from 7.30 until midday.
