Skip Hire Guide for Beginners

Hiring a skip can be relatively daunting if it is something you have never done before. Here is our skip hire guide for beginners. 

Be careful what you put in a skip 

Many people believe that anything can be placed in a skip and although that would be extremely convenient, it is not the case. Although you can place the majority of materials in a skip, here are some that you must definitely avoid:

•    Asbestos 
•    Batteries
•    Medical Waste
•    Toxic materials 
•    Fridge / Freezers
•    Tyres 
•    Plasterboard
•    Gas canisters
•    Electrical Equipment 
•    Paint Cans 

If you are in any doubt, ensure you ask if you are concerned about any of the items you are wanting to use the skip for. All of the items listed above have their own specific ways of disposal. If you are found with any of these prohibited items in your skip, you could end up being charged and have the items returned to you.

Skip Sizes 

Skip sizes vary and it can be confusing to understand exactly what size you need. The larger the skip you hire, the cheaper it is per cubic metre of waste. However, there is no point hiring a large skip if you know you don’t have a lot of waste. Visualise how much waste you have and make a decision from there. It is worth getting the size up to make sure you have sufficient space. Not only is this more value per cubic metre, in reality, but you may also find more waste that you hadn't taken into consideration.

Skip Hire Prices

There are no standard prices for skip hire and they will inevitably vary due to several factors, including the type of skip you need, how long you need it for and where you are geographically located. In addition to this, if you do not have the space to have a skip on your property, you will need to factor in the additional cost of obtaining a permit to have it on the roadside. 

Skip permits

A skip permit or a skip licence need to be obtained if you are placing the skip on a public road instead of your own property. Not only will you need to pay a small fee to get one, but you must also allow a few additional days for the skip permit to be sorted. Luckily, most skip hire companies will organise this on your behalf and make all the arrangements. You must also consider whether the skip will be located on single yellow lines or in a pay and display bay as you may need a parking suspension in addition to the permit.

Wait and load skips 

Wait and load services are often available to customers and are perfect for those that need their waste removed quickly or simply do not have any space to place the skip overnight. Your skip will be delivered, you will need to load it, then the skip is immediately taken away.

Can I have help loading the skip?

Many skip hires do not include labour costs. It is imperative that you have organised the ability for someone to help you load the skip if necessary. You must ensure that you are loading the skip safely at all times and never attempt to lift items that are too heavy. If you do not have anyone to help you and you have a lot of bulky items to move then a man and van clearance service may be a better fit for you.

How long can I keep the skip? 

You can often determine how long you require the skip for. However, it normally covers 1 or 2 weeks. You can organise to have it collected before then if you need to. If you need the skip longer than this, you may have an additional charge. If you need to change the time frame for whatever reason, ensure you provide your skip hire provider plenty of notice to make the arrangements. 

Access

Skips are usually delivered in large lorries, so you need to ensure they will be able to access your location in order to drop the skip off. If you are concerned with access, inform your skip hire company in advance to try and sort out an alternative.

Weight 

Skips can hold a lot of weight as even the mini skips, which are 2 yards, can usually hold up to 2 tonnes. Although it is rare that households will exceed this amount, always check if you are concerned about going over the weight limit.

Height 

An issue can often occur by people overloading skips, not in terms of weight but in height. Your skip will have a fill line on the inside which you should not exceed. If you do there is a chance your skip will not be taken away as it is now a safety hazard. If you overload it, there is a significant risk of items falling out when the skip is in transit.

Driveway Damage 

Some people are concerned that a skip will cause damage to their driveway. Skips are heavy when they are empty, let along when they are full. You can have the skip placed on scaffolding planks if you have them. If you are concerned about damage, discuss with your skip hire provider first who can guide you according to what material your driveway or skip location is made from.

Recycling 

At LSPS, we ensure that the waste we collect is sorted sufficiently and have as much waste recycled as possible. 

Hopefully, these tips will help make the process of hiring a skip that much easier. It can take some planning to ensure you have the space to have a skip and order the correct one, however, once you have one delivered, you can load it in your own time and avoid the hassle of several trips to the tip.

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.

11 ways to stay safe around skips

Hiring a skip is a quick and easy way to get rid of the rubbish you have been storing in your home or business. Although you might not think that hiring a skip is particularly dangerous, if you are not sensible and careful during the process it could lead to potential injuries. Here are a few tips to make sure you and other people remain safe whilst you hire and use your skip.  A lot of the tips are common sense, however if you are in a rush, even the simplest things can be forgotten and that’s when things can become risky.

1.    When preparing for your skip, ensure you are ready for the skip’s arrival. Remember that your skip needs to be placed on a stable, flat surface that is free from any obstructions. Ensure all vehicles have been removed from your drive if this is where you are planning your skip to go. Also make sure if you are placing the skip on the side of a road that the height and position of the skip will not obscure the view of any cars driving past or reversing.

2.    Ensure your skip can be delivered with ease. Remove any cars or obstacles that could stop the delivery truck accessing your property.

3.    Once your skip has been delivered, do NOT try and move it. It is important you know where you want the skip in advance, as once it is placed on the ground you will not be able to move it yourself. They are extremely heavy and attempting to move a skip can not only cause you injury, it can damage the surface it is placed on.

4.    When the skip is being delivered, keep your young children and any pets inside the house. They can be extremely inquisitive to new things and want to get involved but it can be dangerous if they get in the way. Small children and pets will not be easily visible to the driver delivering your skip.

5.    Be careful when filling your skip. Always check there are no small animals, pets or children that have climbed in the skip before you place heavy items into it.

6.    Never put hazardous waste in skips or any other item that is not suitable for skips. Check online or contact us for the full list of items you should not place in skips if you are unsure. Gas cylinders, paint, white goods and batteries are all good examples of what you cannot place in skips.

7.    Be careful when placing heavy items in the skip. Always lift with your knees and always ask for help if you need it. Skips have really high sides so although you may be able to lift the item, being able to lift it high enough to place into the skip can be another matter. It can cause back injuries and lasting damage, so you must know your limits.

8.    Don’t overfill your skip. If your skip is overfilled it may not be collected as it would be unsafe to drive on roads with a skip that full. Each skip has a weight limit that you need to stick to. Even if you are not exceeding the weight limit, if you have overfilled your skip there is a chance items could fall out and cause damage.

9.    Have a system when loading your skip. Don’t just throw it all in at once. If you take a minute to think about how to load it properly, you will be able to fit more in it and ensure nothing can fall out.

10.    Always think about the public. This is slightly less of a risk if the skip is on your private property but if you have it placed on a street you need to ensure that it is not getting in anyone’s way. You may want to consider hazard lights to indicate to people that the skip is there.

11.    Monitor your skip, especially if it is on a public street. You need to make sure that other people are not taking advantage and using your skip as well. Not only is this rude, they could be putting hazardous material in the skip which does not belong there.

All these tips are easy to stick to and by following these rules, you will not only stay safe around skips, you will be able to make the most out of your skip hire.

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.