When you’re hiring a skip, it’s important to be clear on what can and can’t be put in a skip. Certain items aren’t permitted with regular skip hire and require an additional charge. Read on to find out what you cannot put in a hired skip.
Items not permitted in skips
Upholstered furniture
Upholstered furniture is any household seating that may contain POPs, including but not limited to:
• Sofas
• Sofa beds
• Armchairs
• Kitchen and dining room chairs
• Stools and footstools
• Home office chairs
• Futons
• Bean bags, floor and sofa cushions
Hazardous waste
Waste is generally classified as hazardous if it could cause potential harm to the environment. This would include chemicals such as pesticides, acids, fluids, oils, fridges and asbestos.
Similarly, any containers used to house hazardous waste cannot be put in skips.
Electrical items & appliances
Electrical items such as refrigerators contain chemicals that can harm the environment. All electrical items and household appliances should be taken to a recycling centre and not put in household bins or hired skips. In some cases, appliance manufacturers may collect items to recycle.
Batteries
As batteries and battery packs contain acid, they are not permitted in skips.
Gas tanks/cylinders
Some recycling facilities accept gas bottles. You can check your local authority at Recycle Now.
Fluorescent light bulbs
Whereas the older type of light bulbs are not recyclable and can be thrown away in your dustbin, the newer energy saving fluorescent bulbs can be recycled at local recycling centres.
Tyres
Check with your local council to see if recycling centres accept tyres. There are also some tyre manufacturers and dedicated businesses that will recycle old tyres.
Paints
Paints must be disposed of in the correct manner since the chemicals can be harmful to the environment. You can either leave it to dry on paper or cardboard and dispose of it in your household waste or consider donating it.
Glues/solvents
Similar to paints, glues and solvents may be disposed of in your household waste if it is dried on paper or cardboard. Alternatively, there are specialist adhesive waste disposal services, or you can contact us for advice.
Medical or human waste
Medical or human waste cannot be accepted within your household waste or in hired skips. You can request a clinical waste collection via the Government website.
