The Skip Hiring Process

Step 1: Skip Size

The first obstacle to skip hire is choosing the right size of skip for the job in hand. You can expect to fit the following number of full black bags in these different sized skips.

Bigger skips are available, but you will need room for these on your land as the largest permitted on a public highway is only 8 yards. It’s much more beneficial if you choose the best size for skip hire instead of hiring two separate skips because you didn’t get the right size to start with.

Not sure if there's a better alternative? Take a look at Skip Hire vs the Alternatives.

Step 2: Book the Skip

Once you know which size of skip to hire, it’s important to relay any special requirements. There are some materials that are restricted when it comes to filling up your skip. It’s useful to let the skip hire company know if you have any restricted materials, including:

• TVs/monitors

• Fridge freezers

• Mattresses

• Tyres

• Dried paint

• Fluorescent tubes

• Household and car batteries

• Plasterboard

• Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

These items will be collected, but only if it has been arranged. They will also incur a charge on top of the skip hire cost. Each item is priced separately, but will need to be paid for in advance.

Step 3: Skip Delivery

After booking, the skip will be delivered. This will be in the most convenient place possible. If you have room on your drive or parking space, it can be placed there. Otherwise, it can be dropped off on private land. If you have a skip hire permit, because you have no room for it, the company has the local authority’s permission to place it on the road for a set period of time. The skip hire company will also place lights and cones for health and safety reasons, so you won’t have to worry about sourcing these yourself.

Some skips have a drop-down door on one side to make it easier for you to load. They are only available in certain sizes, such as 4, 6 and 8 yard skips. You can effectively load up a wheelbarrow and direct it straight into the skip for a much easier way of loading up heavier waste. If you have a drop-down door, the skip hire company will place it with the door facing the easiest route of access.

Step 4: Fill the Skip

Now comes the easiest part. Although no help is provided with skip hire, you can always get anyone spare to give you a hand. Just be sure to not fill it past the max fill line, or the skip hire company can refuse to take it back when you’re done. Most household waste is accepted in a skip, but you should be aware of the items that are never permitted.

You cannot place the following in a skip:

• Asbestos

• Medical waste

• Solvents

• Liquids

• Food, water or faeces

• Cooking and engine oil

• Hazardous material

• Upholstered furniture

• Gas cylinders

Unlike the restricted items in the second step that can be collected by request, these cannot be put in a skip under any circumstances. Soil is another item that is restricted as it’s classed as inert waste and needs to be in its own skip, separated from other material that could contaminate it. Because all skip waste is recycled, any contamination prevents this from happening, which is why you need to be aware of what you can and cannot dispose of through skip hire.

Step 5: Skip Collection

Once you’re done with your skip and haven’t overfilled it, the skip hire company will come to collect it. This is usually at the end of the hire period, which is typically seven days. You can extend this period if you need to, but this is at the discretion of the company. Likewise, if you need the skip to be collected earlier, call the company to request an early pick up.

If you have overfilled your skip, it cannot legally be collected. It can pose a danger to pedestrians and drivers alike as items are more likely to fall out when in transit. Not only is it illegal to overfill a skip; it’s also inconsiderate. If you’ve come to the end of a job and realised you need a larger skip, it’s better to hire another one so you can properly and safely get rid of your waste. This is one of the reasons why you need to estimate which size you need before you go through with skip hire.

Step 6: Circular Economy

Once your skip is collected, the skip hire company will return it to their depot so they can sort through the waste. As much as possible is recycled, anywhere from 85% to 97%, but this depends on the individual company. Some waste cannot pass a quality check or will be contaminated, which means it will either end up incinerated for energy or sent to landfill.

The refining process with skip hire companies is incredibly thorough. Waste is initially sieved by hand for larger materials before it goes through a conveyor process that removes waste smaller than 10mm and any tiny metallic objects, like nails and screws. Paper and soft plastics are then filtered out before a final manual hand sorting. Anything left needs to pass an organic matter test to see if it can be reused as soil.

Skip hire introduces one of the most important modern day processes: a circular economy. Anything that can be recycled will be in order to reduce our reliance on virgin materials and create more emissions. Wood is further reduced to chippings or sawdust and paper can be pulped to create more reams.

How to Hire a Skip

Now that you know how the skip hire process works, you should feel confident that you can go through the process seamlessly. The easiest way to hire a skip is to simply fill in your details using our quick capture page and we will provide you with a free quote for a local skip hire company in your area. It’s incredibly quick and will take the hassle of comparing prices off your hands.

How much does it cost to hire a skip? Read our accompanying guide to find out.