LSPS guide to using a skip for house clearances

Whether you are moving to a new house, renovating a property or just want a big spring clean and a fresh start, using a skip can be really useful. In this guide we will try and answer all the questions you might have.

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.

Which size skip is best for me?
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.

Why is plastic so harmful?

We know it has been in the news a lot recently about the damage plastics are doing to the Earth and how it is almost becoming a plastic planet. Plastic has become a huge part of our day to day lives and we may not even be fully aware of how much we use plastics and waste a lot of it. Here we discuss the reasons why plastics are so bad for our environment and what steps we can take on an individual level to try and help.

Reason 1: They take a LONG time to decompose
This is one of the main reasons why plastics are so damaging to our environment. Plastic products vary in how long they take to decompose and the length of time in a lot of cases is shocking. Here are a few examples of typical household items and how long they take to completely biodegrade:

• Toilet Roll - A month
• Cardboard - 2 months
• Plastic Bag - 10-20 years
• Styrofoam cup - Approximately 50 years
• Aluminium can - 200 years
• Plastic Bottle - 450 years
• A nappy - 450 years
• Plastic Straws - Up to 200 years
• Plastic Cutlery – 100-1000 years
• Some plastics - Never

Because plastic is extremely strong it is a desirable product but it is also one that’s difficult to destroy. Because they take so long to decompose, people have tried to suggest alternatives such as burning the plastic, however doing this would produce a lot of harmful pollutants which will have an even worse effect on the environment.

Reason 2: They are cheap
As consumers, we are very strongly driven by price, so when we see something that is both practical and cheap, we are tempted to buy it. A lot of plastic items however are very cheap to buy and cheap for the manufacturers to produce. Changing packaging to something that is fully biodegradable can be a lot more expensive, which is why some manufacturers are put off.

Reason 3: They are not made sustainably
Plastic is manufactured by using coal and crude oil which are both unsustainable sources. We have a limited supply of these materials which is another reason why we shouldn’t be using them all up by making plastics.

Reason 4: They are only being used once
Single use plastics are a main area of concern as the amount of waste they produce is off the scale. People are using the plastics sometimes for a day, hours, if not minutes before they are getting thrown away.

Reason 5: They kill animals
It is horrific to see the impact plastics can have on animals. There is loads of plastic waste entering our oceans each day which is severely affecting marine wildlife like turtles, seals and whales. Some animals are being caught up in the plastics, whereas others are eating the plastic and choking. It is affecting all types of wildlife as well. Even smaller organisms such as plankton are being affected as they are consuming microplastics which are barely visible. 

Reason 6: Humans are eating plastic
Without us even realising, there is a good chance we are consuming traces of plastic fibres and microplastics. In fact, one study suggests that humans can actually be eating the equivalent amount of plastic as a credit card each week! This is a scary thought to consider, however people are unsure of all the details yet.

What can we do?
Although a lot of damage has been caused, we can still carry out some changes to our daily lives to try and reduce the amount of plastic that we use:

• ALWAYS re use your plastic bags if you go shopping rather than buying new ones
• Use paper straws instead of plastic ones
• Be conscious of the products you buy and what packaging they are in. Try and choose items that are packaged in a biodegradable alternative whenever possible
• Use reusable coffee cups and water bottles instead of buying disposable
• Try and get involved in beach clean-ups or other events specifically set up to help clean up the plastics
• Use correct waste disposal. Separate your waste as efficiently as possible to increase the amount of stuff that will get recycled.

To find out more about how we can help with your waste disposal needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.

5 common mistakes people make when hiring a skip

Hiring a skip is an easy and great way to get rid of your unwanted clutter, either from your home or office. However, although hiring a skip is a simple process, there are some common mistakes people make that you should be aware of so you can easily avoid making them yourself.

Mistake 1: Ordering the wrong size skip
This seems like a simple thing; however, it is extremely easy to under or over estimate how much rubbish you have. Once you start on a clear up project, you can sometimes get carried away and not realise how much rubbish you had to start with. People often order a skip that is too large and that takes up a lot of room when storing and is a waste of both space and potentially money if they are not intending to fill it. Alternatively, they order a skip that is too small, which leads to more work and multiple trips to remove the waste. You also need to make sure you are not driven too much on price. Do not order a skip just because it is the cheapest. You need to ensure it’s the best option for you.

Tip: If possible, in advance try and gather as much of the rubbish as you can to get an idea of how much space your rubbish takes up. Take this into account before choosing your skip size. Also take into consideration the space you have available to store the skip itself. If you are unsure what size to go for, ring and discuss it with someone who will be able to advise and try and match the skip to your requirements.

Mistake 2: Overfilling the skip
Linking to mistake number 1, a common occurrence is when people hire a skip which is too small and end up overfilling it as a result. A skip is considered overfull if it exceeds the fill line or if items are bulky and protruding from the top. A skip can be refused to be taken away as it is not safe to transport an overfilled skip, making it both an inconvenience and illegal. It can possibly end in a fine being issued.

Tip: Always monitor the amount of waste that goes in the skip to avoid overfilling. If in doubt of the amount of rubbish you have, go for the next size up to be on the safe side.

Mistake 3: Putting restricted items inside skips
Although the list of items you can place in a skip is extensive, there are some materials and items that are forbidden. Liquids, oil, paint, fluorescent tubes, asbestos, batteries, tyres and fridge / freezers are just some of the items you cannot place in your skip. If you are concerned about whether the waste you have is suitable for a skip, then please get in contact and we can advise you. 

Mistake 4: Exceeding weight limits
Along with underestimating how much rubbish you must dispose of, another common mistake is underestimating how much your rubbish weighs. Each skip size is suitable for a certain amount of rubbish. Even if your waste fits nicely in the skip, it still may not be taken away if the skip becomes too heavy. Always be realistic when ordering a skip. If you think it will end up weighing a substantial amount, then please take this into consideration.

Mistake 5: Not considering parking space
Another mistake is not thinking realistically about where the skip is going to go. It needs to be close enough to your property that you can access it easily, however it also needs to be accessible when it gets collected. Ensure you are fully aware of the size of skip you want to hire and ensure you have enough space. This is even more important if you are planning on keeping the skip on a public road. You need to ensure the space is large enough and available for when the skip gets delivered. If you suddenly want to place it on public land rather than your own land you will need a permit which comes at a cost. Although we can sort out the paperwork for this, it could cause delays which are avoidable with forward planning.

Before hiring a skip, make sure you consider your budget, your space to store the skip, the amount of rubbish you have to get rid of, the weight of the rubbish as well as the type of waste. This will make it easier for you to choose the best skip for your needs. If you have any concerns about choosing the correct skip, LSPS are always happy to advise you. To find out how we can help you, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.

Recycling at UK Festivals

There are almost 1,000 music festivals that take place across the UK each year, and with thousands of people in attendance, the amount of waste that these events can cause is off the scale.

Due to this huge amount of waste being highlighted by concerned individuals and organisations, there has been a rise over the years of new initiatives being rolled out across many festivals in order to try and combat the waste issue and the overall environmental impact these events have. Here we discuss a few of the initiatives that some of the biggest UK festivals are carrying out.

Glastonbury – Worthy Farm, Somerset
One of the most iconic festivals in the world, what started as a festival for 1,500 people in 1970 has grown rapidly, with a record number of guests recorded in 2005 - 153,000 people in attendance. With audience numbers this high, the festival site becomes a temporary town and with this comes a lot of waste. One of the main problems is the amount of plastic being used. Glastonbury are combatting this in several ways. Recently they have banned the sale of single use plastic bottles, informing people that they would not be allowed to purchase them from food sellers at the festival site and instead they should bring reusable bottles that can be filled at the numerous taps provided. In addition to this, it has been announced that a dance arena will be created using 10 tonnes of plastic found on beaches, parks and on the street.

Latitude – Henham Park, Suffolk
Latitude Festival has run several initiatives over the years to reduce its environmental impact. They have, like many other festivals now, a cup deposit scheme where people pay an additional £2 for their cup, which is reusable. They can either keep the branded cup at the end of the festival as a keepsake or they can return it to be used next year and receive their deposit back, thereby reducing the number of disposable cups significantly.

Green Man Festival - Brecon Beacons, Wales
The festival wants to live up to its name and try and be as green as possible. They work alongside charities to reuse unwanted camping equipment and food that they send to refugees around the world as well as to local charities by using designated recycling and donation points.

Cambridge Folk Festival - Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridgeshire
This festival is known for a large array of vegan food options as well teaming up with charities that offer a waterless eco-friendly hygiene pack for guests to buy. These innovative packs include antiperspirant in an aluminium can, a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush & face wipes and eco leaf toilet paper, among other things. This is to ensure people can stay clean without producing waste that is harmful to the environment.

Tents
A problem for all music festivals that include camping is the tents that are left behind at the end of the event, either because they are broken or because people simply do not want to take them back with them. It has been highlighted recently that people should not think of festival tents as single use items and should only bring stuff to the campsite that they are happy to take away with them. Not only are tents predominantly made from plastic, the tent pegs often left in the ground can end up being broken up into pieces when the ground is being farmed, and animals can end up eating them with damaging consequences.

Litter
Most festivals now offer an extensive waste system which provides people with colour coordinated bins split for compost, recycling and general waste. Many festivals hand out recycling and general waste bin bags to camping guests to promote recycling.

Glitter
Festival goers love glitter, however people’s awareness of microplastics and the damage they cause has risen over recent years. Bearing this in mind, some festivals are banning plastic glitters from festival sites entirely and only providing glitter that is biodegradable.

Although there is an argument that festivals will never be able to be completely green, there have been some significant steps in the right direction over recent years which should continue to be developed in the future.

To find out more about what we do and how we can help with your waste disposal needs please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.

Loft Conversion Guide

Taking on a loft conversion is a massive project. However, they are a wonderful way to increase your storage space without having to move to a new house, as well as add value to your home.

They are not only ideal to create an extra bedroom, but can also be used for studies, an extra living room or a games room. The possibilities are endless. Regardless of your ideas for the attic, it is still a big challenge. Here are a few things to be aware of and do before you get the loft conversion you’ve been dreaming about.

1)    Do an initial survey
This is the most important stage. It is vital you get permission to have a loft conversion in the first place. If your attic doesn’t meet the regulations and criteria, but you continue with the project, you will make your house practically unsellable. Also, although a lot of properties in the UK will be suitable for a conversion, this will not always be case. It depends on what is there to begin with and how the roof was constructed. Hiring a specialist structural engineer will ensure you know whether the project will be possible.

2)    Make a detailed plan
Having a vague idea of what you want your loft conversion to look like will not be enough. There are many things to consider which could easily be forgotten if you don’t have a detailed plan. Knowing what windows you want, where the staircase will go, where the heating and electric points will be placed are just some of the things to consider. Although it will be an additional expense, its highly recommended to use a professional architect. Not only will they be able to produce detailed plans for you, they will have experience with project management and could have good connections and could help you find a reputable building company which will save you the hassle.

3)    Choose the right builders
A loft conversion can add value to your home but only if you hire builders that are professional and know exactly what they are doing. They are probably going to be more expensive, however it will be worth it knowing they will do a good job and will probably finish it in a decent amount of time. There have been many cases of people hiring the wrong builders who stop half way through a job, and leave your house in a mess. Let experts help you at every stage of the process to ensure the best results.

4)    Get more than one quote
It is best to ask several building companies what they would charge for the loft conversion. This will ensure you can get the best price possible. However, do not just make your decision on cost. The cheapest quote will not necessarily be the best for you. Take into account how professional they seemed when you met them, whether you think they will do a good job and what time scale they are predicting the job will take. Always ask for examples of their previous work so you can ensure it’s a good enough standard. Also, ensure you have a payment scheduled sorted in advance. Never pay them in full before the job starts. Organise an initial deposit and a payment plan for the rest upon completion.

5)    Think about light
Try and place the biggest windows possible in order to get as much natural sunlight into the room as possible.

6)    Think about storage
This is your chance to plan a room from scratch and it is always good to think about where the storage will go from the beginning. Deciding at design stage means you can plan clever storage solutions and built in wardrobes which will save space and make the room look bigger.

7)    Go green
Where possible, think about the environmental impact of your project. Not only should you think about the building materials used, you should consider the effects this will have once the project is finished. If you create an insulated house which will conserve energy, it will not only be good for the environment, it will also be good for your bank account.

8)    Hire a skip
Converting your loft will create a lot of mess. Not only with the building work itself but also from having to empty the attic to begin with. Preparing for a loft conversion is an ideal time to go through your stuff and get rid of anything you don’t need. Ensure you hire a skip that will be big enough for your project and be suitable for the type of waste you want to dispose of.

If you are looking for advice for suitable skips for loft conversion projects, then speak to LSPS today. Contact us on 0800 083 7807. We are open Monday – Friday between 07:30 and 16:30 and Saturdays from 7:30 until midday.

Disposable coffee cups: How big of an environmental problem are they and are we doing enough?

As a nation, we love our coffee and our coffee shops. According to parliamentary papers there are four times as many coffee shops in the UK than there were in the year 2000, with 20% of the population visiting a coffee shop daily. It has been estimated that 2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown away each year - that’s approximately 7 million cups a day!
 
Almost all the high street coffee shop chains now run a recycling scheme which tries to encourage people to bring their own reusable cup, but are these schemes actually working?

What is the problem?
The reason why this enormous number of cups is such a problem on the environment is that they are difficult to recycle. The lining on the takeaway cups is a mixture of paper and plastic which is used to make the cups both heatproof and leakproof. However, this makes them difficult to recycle. The figures suggest that the vast majority of cups (more than 99%) are not recycled, even if they are thrown into the recycling bin.

The success of documentaries such as Blue Planet has forced people to realise what a huge problem plastic is on our planet, as it takes years to break down if not recycled, adversely impacting the natural environment. The plastic is not the only problem. The paper element of the cups has environmental issues of its own. Trees must be felled to produce products that only end up being used for the length of time it takes for someone to drink a cup of coffee.

What schemes are coffee shops running to help?
Recently there have been many schemes set up in coffee shop chains in order to try and encourage customers to bring their own reusable cup. Starbucks, Nero, Costa and Pret a Manger all offer a discount of between 25p and 50p when customer present their own cup.

Costa were also the first coffee chain to turn their stores into recycling points for people to place all of their takeaway cups, regardless of the brand.

Despite these efforts though there have been backlash saying that some places are still using disposable cups to pour the coffee in before putting it in the reusable cup, thus defeating the point.

What are some other options?
It is not just the coffee chains themselves that are coming up with ideas to reduce waste. Shrewsbury have become the first city to offer a cup deposit return scheme in the UK. A selection of cafes across the town let you buy a bright reusable cup for £1 which can be refunded when you return the cup to a participating store. The trial of the scheme was a success, leading to it being rolled out across the town centre a few months later. The cups can be used hundreds of times and created from a good quality plastic which will last.

There are also companies trying to develop completely biodegradable cups. Others have suggested a coffee fine for using a reusable cup is a solution, thinking that the discount off a drink is not enough of an incentive and psychologically people will do more to avoid a fine than to receive a discount.

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 we can help with your waste disposal needs please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.

The advantages of same day skip hire

Whether you’re working on a large construction project or a small DIY project, there are many instances where you may need a skip for only a short period of time. No matter how small or large your project is, hiring a skip is undoubtedly the easiest and most efficient solution to disposing of your waste quickly and safely.

But what if you only need a skip for a day? You can use our short-term rental “Wait & Load” service which allows you to get rid of your waste quickly and hassle free whilst we wait.

Our Wait & Load options involves us coming to your home or premises, waiting until you have loaded the skip, then immediately taking the skip and rubbish away for you.

Reasons why you would use Wait & Load service

-    You are short on time
-    You don’t think it will take you long to get rid of the rubbish
-    You don’t want a skip staying on your premises
-    You don’t have the space to have a skip for a longer period of time

Benefits of the Wait & Load service

-    It is quick – We wait for you to load the rubbish then will immediately take it away for you
-    It frees up space - Not having the skip on your premises overnight or even longer will be a benefit to you. Even the smaller skips are still bulky so having it gone quickly may be the ideal solution for you
-    It saves you time - By using the wait and load option, you are saving yourself both time and money on not having to make several trips to the local recycling centre and tip.
-    No need for a licence - Because the skip is not there for long, you do not need to be granted a permit from your local council which makes it a very convenient option.
-    It is adapted to you - Whether it is general household waste, construction waste or garden waste you need to dispose of, we can provide a range of different skip sizes and types to match your requirements.

If you are looking for more information on our Wait & Load service, then speak to LSPS today. Please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.