Whether you are doing some DIY, having some building or renovation work done, or just having a big clear out, hiring a skip is a great way of disposing of a large amount of rubbish and waste.
However, if you have never hired a skip before or if you have experienced problems with hiring a skip before, you could find this to be quite a daunting task.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert in skip hire, the following tips can help to ensure that you are disposing of your waste correctly and responsibly, that the process is as effortless and problem-free as possible, and that you get the most out of hiring a skip.
Book Your Skip in Plenty of Time
If you know when you will need your skip, it is a good idea to book it as far in advance as possible to increase your chances of getting one when you need it for. If you leave it too late, you may not be able to get one in time, or you may have to get a skip that is not practical or cost-effective.
Be Smart When Loading Your Skip
To make the most of your skip, you should load the biggest, bulkiest, and heavier items at the bottom, then load smaller, lighter items towards the top. This will help to ensure that you get as much waste in your skip as possible.
Do Not Overload Your Skip
There are strict regulations regarding how much waste you can put in a skip. If stacked too high, with waste reaching over the top of the skip, the skip is at risk of becoming unbalanced when it comes to lifting it onto the trucks. Not only is this dangerous, but it is also illegal. So, you must take care to not overload your skip.
Get a Licence
If you want to leave your skip on the road, rather than private land such as a driveway, garden, or building site, you will need to obtain a license before hiring a skip. It can take up to seven days to get a permit from your council, so you must get in touch with your local council as soon as possible to arrange this in time.
Some skip hire companies may sort out permits for you, so it is worth checking whether this is something that a company offers before booking your skip hire and applying for a permit. Here at LSPS, we can apply to your local council for a permit and complete all the necessary paperwork on your behalf.
Do Not Put Hazardous Waste in Your Skip
Any hazardous waste cannot be disposed of in a skip. Some of the most common items that cannot be put in a skip include asbestos, batteries, clinical or medical waste, electrical appliances and equipment, liquids, paint or cans of paint, and tyres.
If prohibited items are found in your skip upon emptying, the restricted items are likely to be returned to you, and you may be required to pay an extra charge.
Protect Your Surface
Skips can potentially cause damage to gardens and driveways, particularly those made with soft tarmac or block paving, if placed directly on the surface. To reduce the risk of damage, place scaffolding planks or large pieces of wood down for the skip to rest on.
Select the Right Size Skip
The best way of ensuring that your skip does not become overloaded is to get the right size skip for the job.
Ensuring that you get the right size skip for your requirements will mean you do not end up overpaying for a skip that you are not going to fill, as well as preventing you from needing to hire a second skip should it not be big enough to hold all your waste.
Two-yard mini skips are ideal for most homeowners looking to get rid of household waste. Whereas an eight-yard maxi skip with a drop-down door for easy loading is typically used by builders. Larger 20-yard and 40-yard roll-on, roll-off skips are also available for bigger projects.
If you are unsure what size skip would be the most cost-effective and adequate size for your waste disposal, take a look at this skip size guide or consult an expert.
Our team at LSPS is experienced in supplying skips for all kinds of waste disposal, from small domestic jobs to large commercial projects. If you have any queries regarding skip hire or require assistance in choosing the ideal skip for you, please get in touch with us today via 0800 083 7807 or info@lspsskiphire.co.uk.
Quick Tips for Hiring Skips
How to Minimise Christmas Waste
Christmas is often the most indulgent time of the year. A lot of us go all out on decorations, presents and food this time of year. Although it is a wonderful time of the year to treat ourselves and the ones we love, it inevitably means that we are creating a lot of waste. Here we discuss how to minimise Christmas waste
Plan ahead
One of the best ways to minimise Christmas waste is by planning ahead. Always have plenty of bags with you to avoid having to buy additional ones in shops. Have a thorough list of what you need to avoid buying what you don't need. It's common to forget what you already have in your home in terms of Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, Christmas cards, etc. Before you buy anything new, do a stocktake of what you already own to avoid unnecessary or duplicate purchases. Stick to your list at all times and try to avoid impulse purchases.
Reuse Christmas wrapping
When it comes to choosing Christmas wrapping, stick to plainer options that are recyclable. Consider an alternative to the traditional wrapping paper. Could you perhaps wrap a present in a nice scarf or use a newspaper? There are plenty of options that help minimise waste. Always reuse gift bags and ribbons each year as well to reduce waste as well as save money.
Recycle old Christmas cards
It’s sometimes a shame to get rid of your Christmas cards at the end of the season. Why not reuse them? Keep special Christmas cards from close friends and family in a scrapbook. Alternatively, keep the cards you love the design of and use them to create gift tags for next year. Just make sure you remember you have done this to avoid buying new ones unnecessarily next December.
Don’t be wasteful with your food
One of the simplest ways to reduce your waste is by choosing food that comes loose such as fruit and veg rather than opting for the same items covered in plastic packaging.
Try and stick to only the food you think you will actually eat. This time of year we normally end up with tons of unopened food or leftovers that can be extremely wasteful. Plan ahead and ensure you have ways to use these leftovers up. For example, make a turkey curry with the leftovers from your Christmas day meat. It reduces your food waste and tastes delicious.
Check ahead with your guests
If you are the host this year, ensure your guests know what exactly they are expected to bring food-wise. If you do not plan this in advance you could end up with duplicates of dishes and way too much food to eat which will just end up going to waste.
Don’t use disposable cutlery
If possible, avoid disposable cutlery, plates, and napkins wherever possible. Material napkins often look nicer and last for years. Disposable cutlery and plates are ideal when you are expecting a few guests, however, they create a huge amount of waste. Instead, ask if you can borrow cutlery and plates that you need from your guests.
Donate or sell items
Once Christmas Day is over and all the presents are opened, people tend to want to get rid of older items to make way for their new gifts. Before you throw anything away, ensure you no longer have any use for it. See if you can upcycle it, donate it to a local charity, give it to a friend or family member, or sell it. If all of these options have been tried, then you can perhaps hire a skip to get rid of all the old items you no longer need in one go.
Make your own Christmas decorations
A homemade Christmas decoration can mean so much more and also means you are not creating as much waste as there will be no packaging. There are many tutorials to help you get started. If you are tired of your old Christmas baubles, think about giving them a makeover rather than simply throwing them away. Traditional round baubles for example can have a crocheted or knitted cover created or be covered in fabric which can give them a whole new lease of life.
Dispose of your waste correctly
Despite us being able to significantly reduce our waste, we will still create some waste that we cannot avoid. The waste we do create during this time must be disposed of correctly. Always check your local council and local recycling centre so that you fully understand the best way to dispose of your Christmas waste such as your wrapping paper, plastic packaging, and Christmas tree.
If you are a large household you may even want to hire a skip in order to get rid of your waste. This has the benefit of getting rid of your waste in one go and reassures you that as much as possible will be correctly recycled to avoid landfill.
Minimising Christmas waste doesn’t mean that we can't enjoy the festive season in the same way. The methods above are just small, simple changes that we can all be making. Collectively, we can all minimise our waste meaning we can enjoy the festive season, even more, knowing that we are not causing the environment as much damage as we have perhaps done in previous years.
The negative effects of fly-tipping
Because we pay council tax, we receive the benefit of a regular, free rubbish collection service. Although this is perfect for our everyday waste, there will inevitably be times where our waste exceeds the capacity of our regular household bins and we need to find an alternative way to remove this waste. Despite there being many methods to do this, some, unfortunately, turn to the unethical option of fly-tipping instead. Here, we discuss the negative effects of fly-tipping.
What is fly-tipping?
The term fly tipping refers to the practice of illegally dumping your waste. Rather than taking the rubbish to the tip or hiring a skip or professional waste disposal company, some people dump their rubbish where they hope it cannot be traced back to them, or wherever they seem fit. This can sometimes be on the street, in neighbour’s gardens, or in the countryside.
Not only is this behaviour rude and unsightly, but the effects can also be long term and disastrous.
The negative effects of fly-tipping
• Some people believe fly-tipping is the only answer as it's free. However, this isn't technically true. Although the fly-tipper doesn’t directly pay anything to get rid of the rubbish, someone has to pay for it. The local authorities and councils are those that end up footing the bill. To raise the required funds, this could end up in an increase in council tax. Not only is this frustrating for the majority of people who dispose of their rubbish legally, but it also puts unnecessary financial pressure on local authorities and means that the designated funds do not go towards other projects that can benefit the community.
• Fly-tipping makes areas look unsightly and this can have a huge impact on the surrounding area. In some cases, it has been shown to devalue the price of houses surrounding the fly-tipping hotspots.
• It is illegal and therefore if anyone is actively caught doing it they can end up with a fine or even a prison sentence.
• It impacts wildlife, especially as a lot of fly-tipping occurs in the countryside. It is common for wildlife to be severely impacted by fly-tipping. Household waste can contain many toxic ingredients and harmful plastics that can be fatal to wildlife if ingested.
• These toxic ingredients can also harm people, especially children if they accidentally ingest something.
• The health impact can become widespread as well, which some people do not take into consideration. Toxic substances can sink into the earth which can stop plants growing in the nearby area and also impact nearby creatures and ecosystems.
• If the waste disposed of through fly-tipping is general household rubbish such as rotting food, this over time can attract rats, flies and other undesirable creatures that the local neighbourhood will not like having close to their homes
Fly-tipping is a criminal act that affects many people. With so many easy waste disposal options nowadays, there is no reason fly-tipping should still be happening at the rate it is. Although it is only the minority of people that turn to fly-tipping as a viable option, people must understand the true damage fly-tipping can cause - both environmentally and financially. If you ever have waste to get rid of that is bulky then invest in hiring a skip. There are many sizes available to meet your needs and you do not even need to have space to store the skip. If you have nowhere for the skip to go, there are wait and load services as well to get around this. Alternatively, there are waste management companies that can come and pick up specific items you are struggling to dispose of.
What to look for in a waste removal company
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.
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.
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.
Items NOT to put in a skip- Dangerous Items
Hiring a skip is a convenient way of disposing of household waste. Although skips can accommodate a huge range of items, there are some materials and items that should never be placed in a skip. Here we give you more information about which items you should avoid putting in a skip and some alternative disposal methods.
Skip hire is cheap and convenient. Although much of the waste is recycled there are some items that require particular disposal methods. These are not the responsibility of skip hire. Hazardous items that could cause harm to others are not allowed to be placed in a skip.
Asbestos
Asbestos is harmful and cannot be recycled so it needs to be disposed of by specialist companies. Under no circumstances can you place asbestos in your skip. There are specialist companies you can contact instead to deal with this waste. Specialist companies know how to remove asbestos in the safest way and will dispose of it accordingly. It is illegal to recycle or reuse asbestos, so qualified people should be called to remove the substance and ensure it is being disposed of correctly. Visit https://www.gov.uk/asbestos-in-home to find out how to contact your local council to organize the disposal.
Batteries
You should not place any types of battery into a skip. They contain metals and chemicals that can be harmful and therefore need to be disposed of with care. There are many hazardous materials within a battery, including lead which can be extremely poisonous. Luckily, it is easy to recycle batteries as many supermarkets and DIY stores have containers for old batteries.
Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury which is a harmful substance and therefore not suitable for skip waste. Contact your local council or recycling centre to find out the best place to dispose of them.
Fridges and Freezers
Some local councils will collect your fridge or freezer for free, so it is worth exploring this option. If this is not possible you might need to pay for a specialist collection or take it to your local recycling plant.
Gas Cylinders
Not all skip hire companies are licensed to take gas cylinders, therefore you should always check in advance. Your local recycling centres may be able to recycle them so it is worth contacting them to find out. It does not matter if the gas cylinder is full, half full or empty, you should avoid placing in a skip. In many cases, you can return gas cylinders to the place of purchase and they can reuse and refill them.
Medical Waste
It is understandable that medical waste should not be placed in a skip as it could increase the risk of spreading infection and increased contamination. Get in touch with your local council who can point you to a company that will dispose medical waste on your behalf.
Paint
Paint tins cannot be placed in a skip unless they are completely empty. Contact your local council if you have filled paint tins you need to dispose of. The same rules apply for other solvents, fuels, oils and bleach.
Tyres
Tyres also need to be disposed of separately to general waste. There are organisations that collect tyres. Alternatively, contact your local car garage to see if they can suggest a place that will take them. They may even be able to dispose of them for you.
If you do not adhere to these rules, the skip hire company could refuse to remove the skip from your property or apply an additional charge. If you are unsure about any item you want to dispose of in a skip, please contact us to ensure it is acceptable.
Skip hire is extremely convenient and practical however it is not a one-stop-shop for all of your waste. For legal or practical reasons, some materials are not suitable for skips and so you need to plan ahead and know the correct ways to dispose of your rubbish before choosing your skip size. By being aware of the correct way to dispose of items can help you avoid any additional charges and will also save you time.
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.
9 Ways To Reduce Plastic In Your Beauty Routine
To reduce the plastic we use in beauty routine is not as difficult as it sounds. So why do we focus on food products when we talk about recycling?
The amount of plastic waste we are putting into the oceans is at a catastrophic level. Although governments and large businesses are being asked to radically change, there are also some small changes we can all make. If more of us made these changes, the impact could be significant.
One area of our lives where plastic can be found in high-quantities is our beauty routines. From shampoo bottles to plastic razors and toothbrushes, there are many plastic elements to our beauty routine which cause plastic waste.
Here we discuss 9 ways to easily reduce plastic in your beauty routine.
1. Use recycled packaging
An easy switch to make is by choosing products packaged using recycled materials. Also, choose items that can be reused such as glass products. Buy reusable bottles and instead of buying plastic bottles, more and more people are offering refills.
2. Buy supersized Items
If the items you use are not available in recycled packaging, then buy the larger version. Not only will it work out cheaper for you in the long run, less plastic will be used. Larger bottles of shampoo are less convenient. However, they can be decanted into travel-sized reusable bottles for everyday use.
3. Stop using disposable razors
Invest in a safety razor instead. They look nicer, will last longer and are extremely effective.
4. Switch to a bamboo toothbrush
Unlike their plastic alternatives, bamboo toothbrushes will decompose in only 6 months. This makes them much more environmentally friendly than plastic disposable toothbrushes or electric toothbrush heads.
5. Buy items with no packaging at all
Avoid packaging altogether. Opt for items such as soap boars and solid shampoo bars which do not come in any plastic packaging. Shops such as Lush are offering customers a large range of “Naked” products. These green alternatives help cut back on plastic waste, making it easier for you to reduce plastic in your beauty routine.
6. Use recycling initiatives whereas possible
Some retailers are trialling recycling initiatives. Boots, among other retailers, are trialling a reverse vending machine. Customers are rewarded for bringing back their empty containers. If you have a scheme like this near you, make the most of it!
7. Avoid wipes and other single-use items
Standard makeup wipes, baby wipes and cotton pads are extremely convenient. However, they are not biodegradable so they end up adding to landfill waste. In addition to that, they can take up to a century to decompose. As these items are single-use, they are contributing to a significant amount of waste which will never biodegrade naturally. An alternative is to use a facecloth or buy reusable cotton pads which are machine-washable. Sheet masks should also be avoided as well. Konjac is a great alternative to cotton as it is made of natural materials and is eco-friendly.
8. Choose eco-friendly glitter
Many people incorporate glitter into their beauty routine. This is especially true at festival-goers. It is now possible to buy biodegradable glitter. This means that glitter is not something you need to completely remove from your beauty regime.
9. Recycle
Biochemist Brianne West, the founder of zero waste beauty brand, Ethique, said that “Every year, over 80-billion plastic bottles are disposed of from just shampoo and conditioner alone.” In addition to these, some plastics can take up to 500-years to naturally decompose. Taking these horrific statistics into consideration, being able to reduce our individual plastic waste is a great step in the right direction.
Although adopting a zero-waste strategy may not be possible yet, options are increasingly available to us to reduce plastic in our beauty routines. All we need to do is make some small changes to make a big impact.
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.
10 ways to teach kids how to recycle
Recycling is such an important topic and it has never been more prominent in our daily lives. Our children will be growing up with recycling being a more normal practice. We need to encourage this behaviour in order to ensure they and future generations continue to recycle as much as possible and understand the importance of it. Here are some ideas you can use with your children to help teach them about recycling and encourage recycling behaviour.
1. Increase the number of recycle bins around the house - Try and have recycle bins on each floor of your house to encourage kids to recycle first rather than placing all rubbish in the general waste bin. Having a small bin in the child’s bedroom and teaching them what items to put in there will also help.
2. Label your bin using graphics - Place a graphic of cardboard, plastic etc on the bin so kids can easily identify which bin is which. When you are throwing something away, hand it to the child and ask them which bin they think it should go in. You could also get them to decorate the bin themselves as a fun art project.
3. Use both sides of paper - Colouring and art are great activities for your child to do but try and encourage them to use both sides of the paper to reduce the amount of waste. If you are using paints, get specific paper designed for paint so that both sides can be used. Try and get them to use crayons instead of pens or colouring pencils as they are softer and don’t dent the other side of the paper.
4. Get creative with recycling materials - Before you throw anything in the bin, think about whether you can create anything with it. Building a rocket, musical instruments and more are possible with a bit of creativity. You can use old containers to place paint in for future art projects as well.
5. Compost - Get you kids to place food waste into a compost container in the garden. This will show them how compost works, and they can help you use it in the garden to plant fruit, veg or flowers of their own.
6. Go to the recycling centre - An easy way to teach kids about recycling is to take them to your local recycling centre so they can see recycling on a large scale for themselves.
7. Games - There are online games available specifically made to help kids learn more about recycling.
8. Donate clothes and toys - On a regular basis, get your children to go through their stuff and see if there is anything they don’t play with anymore or clothes that no longer fit and get your child to donate them. This teaches them how people less fortunate than them can benefit from their unwanted clothes and toys. It also helps keep your house a bit more clutter free.
9. Rewards - Incorporate a reward system into your recycling efforts. Give them a gold star every time they recycle and keep a record of their progress so they can see how far away they are from a reward. The rewards only have to be small but it’s a great way to make recycling more fun and engaging.
10. Demonstrate - You need to ensure all members of your family are taking part, not just your children. Kids learn a lot of their behaviour from their parents and older members of the family, so you need to lead by example.
A lot of these ideas are simple to implement but could have a massive impact. By normalizing recycling when children are young, they are more likely to continue this behaviour as they grow older. So, taking time to incorporate some of these activities into your daily routine can reap huge benefits in the long term. The important thing to remember is to try and make the tasks fun and easy to do, otherwise you will lose their attention and they will think recycling is boring and not something they want to do.
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 teach your child about recycling
In the same way that we teach our children about practicing good hygiene, looking both ways when they cross the road and how to look after their money, we also need to teach them the importance of looking after the world we inhabit, and recycling is a key part of that process.
The Three R’s
One of the best methods of teaching your children how to recycle is the ‘Three R’s’ which stand for reduce, reuse and recycle. Reduce is the idea of trying to use, buy and consume less. Reuse is the idea of putting the waste that we do use to a new use and recycle is to properly throw away items that can be recycled so that they avoid going to landfill.
A simple way to teach your children the three R’s is to write them on the fridge and to quiz them occasionally on what they are to see if they still remember. However, to really get the three R’s to stick with your children, you need to teach them why they are important and ultimately a positive thing instead of a chore. Watching nature programmes and highlighting stories about habitat destruction, global warming and other forms of disruption to the environment can help them to understand why they need to do their bit.
That might sound a miserable way to spend your time, but lots of fun can be had with the three R’s too. For example, you can play games in the supermarket where the person who finds a product with the most recyclable form of packaging, or the largest bulk product (to cut down on repeat waste) wins a small prize.
It can also teach valuable life skills too. Instead of throwing away a toy, game or piece of clothing when it breaks you can show them how to repair them instead. Even if you don’t know yourself how to fix something, there are often great instructional articles and videos ‘littered’ around the internet that can show you how.
Another fun activity to enjoy with your children that falls under the reuse category is to enjoy some creative time with your children. Often products like paper, napkins, plates, cups and other household waste items can be repurposed into fun crafts that bring out your child’s artistic side.
Teaching your children about the finite resources of our planet and how we need to help protect it can help your children to not only lead responsible lives but also equip them with valuable skills for the future.
Here at LSPS, recycling is of great importance to us and we help businesses and individuals all across Leicestershire to reduce the amount of their waste that ends up at landfill sites. Our Waste Transfer Station is open to traders and has an extensive range of state of the art equipment.
To find out how about we can help with your waste disposal needs please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.
Interesting tips for reducing household waste
One reader uses garden waste instead of bin liners. Instead of using a bin liner to catch liquids and nasty smells from their rubbish they use a layer of garden soil. They simply empty the soil back out into the garden and replace with fresh soil after emptying and sorting their general waste.
Another reader recommended home brewing their own beer. While you may have to wait a little longer than normal to have a drink you can save money and cut down on bottle waste by reusing old bottles for your homebrew.
Rather than using freezer bags one user decided to wrap unwanted food portions in baking paper. This meant less food waste as they could simply store them away in their freezer unit until they needed thawing out for a later meal. Alternatively one couple claimed that they simply gave the large majority of their food waste to their chickens who returned the favour by providing them with the occasional free range egg for breakfast.
One interesting tip recommended was to group certain materials together if you fear they may be too small to recycle. For example, plastic cutlery is often too small to be effectively recycled and may be rejected but if you group it together by placing inside a container or a bottle then it can be processed.
Another genius repurposing of household waste that we discovered was to use jam jars or coffee jars as cups for hot drinks. The glass jars and lids are perfect for storing your drink and a closable lid means no spillage. Click here to read the full article for more tips. Don’t forget to tweet us at @lspsltd and share your own tips for repurposing waste.
Here at LSPS we take recycling very seriously. To find out how about we can help with your waste disposal needs please contact us on 0800 083 7807, or visit our website for further information.
