What Items Can’t You Put In a Skip?

However, while the skip hire process may be simplicity itself, knowing what you can and can’t put in a skip can be more confusing. 

With that in mind, here’s our comprehensive guide to what you can and can’t put in a skip to help you stay on the right side of the skip hire rules and regulations.

What items can’t go in a skip?

There are several different types of waste that you cannot put in a skip and that require separate disposal in order to comply with waste disposal legislation. It’s important to know which items fall into this category, as a skip hire company could refuse to remove a skip that contains these items or ask you to pay an additional fee for their correct disposal.

Batteries

Hazardous waste includes any substances or materials that could cause harm to the environment or human health. Examples of hazardous waste that you cannot put into a skip include:

Batteries

Whether they’re big (car batteries) or small (standard household batteries), batteries cannot be put in a skip. They’re full of harmful chemicals and metals and must be disposed of separately. AMA Waste can arrange for the safe disposal of your batteries for you.

Aerosols

No type of aerosol can be put in a skip. Aerosols contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. Instead, they should be emptied and any loose parts, including the lid, should be removed. They can then be disposed of with the rest of your household recycling.

Fluorescent tubes/bulbs

Fluorescent bulbs contain extremely harmful materials such as mercury, so they must be treated and recycled properly. Most skip hire companies will not take your unwanted fluorescent tubes, but at AMA Waste, we can dispose of them properly for you.

Solvents and oils

Solvents and oils, including hydraulic oil, engine oil and cooking oil, must not be disposed of in a skip. These materials contain dangerous chemicals, are often combustible and can cause severe chemical burns. Empty oil containers can be thrown away or recycled, but they should always be washed and cleaned out first.

Paint and paint tins

Paint contains harmful materials that could pollute the soil and find its way into important water systems if it were taken to landfill.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a highly hazardous material that must never be thrown in a skip. It has been proven to cause cancer and other serious diseases, so there are specific rules and regulations relating to its disposal. If you have asbestos that you want to be removed from your property, we can help.

Our waste management experts are authorised and experienced in the removal of all types of hazardous waste, including everything listed above. Please get in touch if you need any help disposing of these items.

Waste Electronic & Electrical Equipment (WEEE)

Since the introduction of the Waste Electronic & Electrical Equipment (WEEE) directive, certain types of household electrical equipment cannot end up in landfill. WEEE includes most household items that have a plug or need batteries. Some of the most common items include:

Computers, televisions and monitors

Old televisions and computer monitors contain toxic chemicals including mercury and lead that could harm the environment if sent to landfill. Instead, you should take them to your local WEEE recycling facility.

Fridges, freezers and fridge freezers

Some fridges and freezers contain fluorinated greenhouse gas (known as ‘F gas’) as well as hydrofluorocarbon gas. Both of these are very harmful to the environment, which is why fridges and freezers must be disposed of at a WEEE recycling facility.

We have many year’s experience removing electrical waste in a safe and sustainable manner, so please get in touch if you need a quote.

Other Restricted Items

There are also some other restricted items that cannot be put in a skip.

Tyres

Tyres can be very difficult to dispose of, which is why skip hire companies will not take them from you. You can ask your tyre changer or fitter to dispose of them for you or take them to a specialist company that can turn them into useful new products. The Tyre Recovery Association will help you find somewhere for your old tyres.

Mattresses

Mattress disposal is a tricky business, which is why most skip hire companies will not let you put your old mattress in their skip. One of the biggest issues with mattresses is their large and bulky shape, which can make safe transportation difficult. Most local recycling centres will take your mattress from you. Some councils may also offer to remove your mattress for a fee, but it could end up in landfill rather than being recycled.

Artificial grass

Artificial grass is essentially a carpet of plastic that’s interspersed with sand and pulverised tyres. That rubber content is the reason that it cannot be put in a skip. Although some skip hire companies will collect your artificial grass from you, they’ll usually ask for an additional fee.

What items can go in a skip?

While there are a few items that you can’t put in a skip, there are plenty more that you can. We’ll happily collect all of the following items from you:

• Food and food packing
• Domestic and garden waste
• Sofas and furniture
• Gas cookers
• Non-electrical fixtures and fittings
• Any plastic, metal or wood
• Cardboard
• Empty tins
• Bricks, rubble and stones
• Soil
• Tiles and ceramic
• Polystyrene
• Clothes
• Pottery and clay

If you have an item that’s not included in either of our lists or want more information about how to dispose of your waste, please give us a call on 0330 660 0832. Our team would be more than happy to help.