Hiring a skip is one of the easiest ways to clear out waste during home improvements, garden projects, or a big declutter. But if you’ve never used one before, you might be wondering: what can actually go in a skip, and how should I load it?
Here’s a handy guide for householders to get the most from your skip hire.
What Can Go in a Skip?
For domestic projects, most everyday household and garden waste can go in. Typical examples include:
✅ General household rubbish – packaging, non-upholstered furniture, old clothes, toys, bric-a-brac.
✅ Wood & timber – doors, cupboards, shelving, broken furniture.
✅ Garden waste – soil, branches, grass cuttings, leaves, clippings.
✅ Plastic & metal – pipes, frames, scrap m1etal, old tools.
✅ Building debris – bricks, rubble, tiles, ceramics, bagged plasterboard (usually limited to one builders bag per skip).
✅ Paper & cardboard – boxes, documents, magazines.
✅ Electrical Items – anything with a plug, except the hazardous items listed below
What Cannot Go in a Skip?
There are some restrictions due to UK waste regulations. The following cannot go in a skip:
❌ Hazardous Electrical appliances – TVs, fridges, freezers, computers, microwaves, printers.
❌ Batteries & fluorescent tubes – they contain hazardous chemicals.
❌ Paint, solvents & fuel – liquids, oils, and chemicals are prohibited.
❌ Asbestos – extremely hazardous and must be handled by specialists.
❌ Gas bottles & cylinders – even if empty.
❌ Medical or clinical waste – syringes, medicines, etc.
If in doubt, ask your skip hire company before throwing anything questionable in – it can save you extra charges later.
How to Fill a Skip Safely & Efficiently
A well-loaded skip saves you money and avoids wasted space. Here’s how to do it properly:
1. Start with flat, heavy items
Lay large, bulky items (like doors, planks, or broken furniture) flat at the bottom. This creates a solid base.
2. Break things down
Dismantle furniture, flatten boxes, and cut branches. The smaller the pieces, the more you can fit in.
3. Spread the weight evenly
Distribute heavy waste like soil, bricks, or rubble across the skip, not just at one end.
4. Fill gaps with smaller waste
Put lighter rubbish, packaging, and garden cuttings around the edges and in the gaps.
5. Don’t overfill
By law, skips must be loaded level with the top – nothing sticking out over the sides. Overfilled skips are unsafe to transport and may not be collected until corrected.
Quick Tips Before You Hire
- Choose the right size – it’s cheaper to go slightly bigger than to order a second skip.
- Think about access – skips need space for delivery and collection trucks.
Final Word
Filling a skip is straightforward once you know what can and can’t go inside. Stick to the guidelines above, load it smartly, and you’ll save yourself time, space, and hassle.
If you’re ready to hire a skip, check our website for sizes, prices, and any specific restrictions – then get clearing!