Thinking about doing some building work or a moderately drastic garden renovation?
Chances are you may require a skip, so that you can quickly, easily and responsibly get rid of your waste.
Having worked for a skip hire company in the past, one of the most commonly asked questions we used to get asked is “What size of skip is right for me?” – which isn’t always easy to answer!
Most of all it obviously depends on how much waste the job will likely be generating, you don’t want to waste money on getting a huge skip if you only have a little waste, and vice versa you don’t want a tiny skip if you going to waist-deep in rubbish!
The other big factor to consider is how much space you have in the location you were thinking of storing the skip for the duration of the job.
We asked the team at a local company to give us a quick run down and a selection of tips!
Source: Mackers Total Recycling, who provide a variety of services such as skip hire, with the aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible. They have an ethical and and efficient service providing skip hire to many tradesmen, builders and construction firms throughout Essex. On offer are a wide variety of skip sizes and waste disposal methods, that reduce the overall impact on the local and global environment.
Small Skip Sizes
The smallest type of skip available on the market that is provided by Mackers Total Recycling is the mini skip, which can measure from 2 to 4 cubic yards long. These tiny skips are perfect for small household projects and garden clearance jobs. They are the smallest possible skip provided, the 2 yard skips can carry around 25 – 35 bin bags of rubbish and can hold approximately 2 tonnes in weight.
Because of their small size, they can fit in small areas easily and can be collected with less effort. The 4 cubic yard skips can contain slightly larger amounts of waste, such items as doors and small sofas, they can hold up to 25 – 40 bin bags with a weight capacity of 4 tonne.
Mini skips are great on commercial to quarantine plasterboard which can not be mixed with other waste. Their small size allows you to have the skip placed on your property with ease, preventing the need for a permit which will help you get your skip in a quicker process.
They feature mini skips in a small, compact size from 2-7 yard skips. The smaller skips are great for fitting within small spaces, fitting on your own property with ease, taking the stress away from having to apply for a permit which could put a hold on your project plans.
Whilst also being good news for people partaking in domestic DIY jobs, making their properties tidy and rid of large amounts of waste as soon as possible.
Builders Skip Sizes
Builders skips, which are one of the more popular skips hired in the industry can hold a lot more waste accumulated in larger construction projects. Although still used in domestic clearances and bathroom or kitchen refits, construction companies and building firms use them a lot (hence the name) for bigger projects because of their large capacity to hold heavy loads of waste.
Builders skips are usually 6-8 cubic yards long, they can hold roughly 65 – 75 bin bags. The larger builders skip which is 8 cubic yards long is perfect for large house extensions, commercial based clear outs. They are the best skip available in the industry that can hold an impressive 8 tonne of weight in brick and soil. Builders skips will be found more on commercial work places for these reasons.
These skips have the ability to hold an overwhelming amount of weight and which makes them one of the more coveted skips on the construction market.
Commercial Skip Hire Sizes
Maxi commercial skips are an ideal solution to clearing up building sites and places of high waste collecting. They’re much bigger in size and best suited for bulkier, solid items such as doors, chairs, tables. They are also ideal for wood and construction based waste. They are suitable for lighter weighing waste so a large builders skip is your best solution for a big hunk of heavy of junk. Commercial skips come in sizes ranging from 10 – 12 cubic yards, holding an approx 100 – 120 bin bags.
They are perfect for building sites with a daily stream of waste collected from harder and more demanding industrial jobs. The type of jobs that attract the need for skips of this gigantic size are the larger scale projects such as office clearances, overwhelming home improvements or garden works that require large teams of builders.
Mackers Total Recycling can provide both 10 and 12 cubic yard skips with flexible skip hire plans. Their quick paced delivery/pick ups make them a beneficial company to hire from, you will be able to say goodbye to the stress of the rubbish piling up around your site which could be potential health and safety hazards.
Skip Hire Permitted & Forbidden Materials
Skip hire is great for ridding your property/business of general waste materials, but not all items are accepted for their use. For more information about materials and their effects on the environment you can read this on Gov.uk.
Items that are widely accepted are:
- Metal
- Non Electrical Items
- Construction based waste
- Garden Waste
- Wood
- Furniture
- Plastics
- Domestic rubbish
- Soil Bricks
The items Not allowed under any circumstances are:
- Hazardous & Toxic waste
- Asbestos Batteries and Electronics Compressed
- Gas Cylinders
- Fluorescent Bulbs
- Chemicals & Paint
- Tyres
- Medical Waste
The best way to understand why these items are off limits is to think about how safe would these items be if contained in a large open bin, which of course is what a skip is. Does it give off fumes or could it become a potential fire hazard? Can they spread infections or diseases? Skips are more suitable for solid waste containing no toxic substances. If you require the removal of any of the forbidden materials, there are other services which can safely dispose of these items for you.
It is also important to note that it is against legal and company guidelines to burn waste within a skip. Starting fires on waste can not only be dangerous to you but can in effect also damage the skip, which can lead to extra charges and possible prosecution.