How to dispose of building waste and unwanted garden materials

The benefits of residential skip hire

X-Hire Waste is a trusted nationwide provider of commercial and residential skip hire services. Summer is well on the way, heralding a rise in gardening and home improvement projects. We often see a surge in demand for skip hire and waste disposal at this time of the year.

DIY and gardening enthusiasts start redecorating their houses and adding decking, patios, or sheds to their gardens. As many projects result in a large amount of unwanted waste or rubble, residential skip hire is an ideal disposal solution.

If you’re keen to take on a DIY project, but you’re wondering how to dispose of building waste or the best way to dispose of garden waste, then read on…

How to dispose of building waste and landscaping by-products – skip hire FAQs

Whether you are considering the best way to dispose of garden waste or unwanted rubble or tiles, hiring a skip is a practical solution. As a leading skip supplier, here’s a few of the most frequently asked questions that we receive:

What size skip will I need?

The size of your skip will – of course – depend on the nature of your project. In general, most domestic projects tend to require skips sized between 4 and 10 yards.

Here at X-Hire Waste, we can provide standard and non-standard sized skips. Our mini, midi and maxi skips are available in a range of standard and non-standard sizes including 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 yard skips. These skip sizes are the most commonly used for domestic clearances and small construction projects, with 8 yard skips being the most popular. We also provide non-standard sizes such as 2 yard, 9 yard, 14 yard, 16 yard and 35 yard skip hire.

If you are unsure about the size of skip you require for your project, please call and speak to a member of our team – we will be happy to advise you.

Why is the 8 yard skip so popular?

Our 8 yard skips are the most commonly requested size for residential skip hire. This is because 8 yard skips are the largest that can be filled to the brim with dense and heavy materials – such as gravel, sand or soil – and still be within the weight constraints to be loaded and transported by a skip-loading truck.

Do I need a permit prior to residential skip hire?

When opting for residential skip hire, ideally you will have an accessible space on your own private property to accommodate it. If this is not the case, the skip can be placed on a public road but a permit must be obtained from your local council.

Local authorities may refuse to issue a skip permit if it requires parking suspensions or will create traffic congestion, and this can make getting rid of waste slightly trickier.

Can I still hire a skip if I can’t get a permit or don’t have room for one?

If you don’t have room for a skip or can’t get a permit – typically within town centres and residential areas – our ‘Wait and Load’ skip hire service is the solution for you!

Simply tell us what you need to remove, how long you expect loading to take, and provide us with the location. You will need to have the waste ready to load, when our skip lorry arrives. All waste will be efficiently removed, with no need for a permit or parking suspensions.

How long can I keep my skip?

Our customers tend to have a smaller skip for up to 2 weeks. With our larger 20, 35, 40 yard skips and roll-on-roll-off skips, it is usually 4 weeks because they can take longer to fill.

What items can you put in a skip?

Here at X-Hire Waste, we can accommodate a wide variety of different waste types. Some waste types can even go into a skip together, within a mixed general/construction skip.

So, what items can you put in a skip? Here are the objects and materials that are generally safe to place into a skip:

  • Garden waste – grass-trimmings, fence-panels, flowers, plants
  • Soil – check with your skip hire company, as soil may be too heavy for some skip sizes
  • Wood
  • Building waste – bricks, rubble, tiles; not asbestos or plasterboard
  • Bathroom suites
  • Domestic waste – food waste and packaging
  • Cardboard and paper
  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Non-electrical fixtures
  • Furniture
  • Gas cookers
  • Polystyrene
  • Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) – except for fridges / freezers

What is not allowed in a skip?

You cannot place any hazardous, toxic or highly flammable waste into a skip. You must also refrain from using your skip for medical or biological waste.

Here is a more specific list of what is not allowed in a skip:

  • Plasterboard – must go in a plasterboard skip
  • Asbestos – must be removed by experts and disposed of in a specialist asbestos skip
  • Batteries
  • Fluorescent tubes – can be disposed of in special coffins
  • Light bulbs – must be disposed of separately
  • Household or vehicle solvents, including paint or glue
  • Paint tins, unless completely empty
  • Medical, clinical and biological waste
  • Fridges and freezers
  • Tyres
  • Explosives
  • Compressed gas cylinders or aerosols – even if they’re empty
  • Oils or chemicals
  • Toxic materials

You should never place any of the items on the above list into a skip as these must be disposed of separately.

Always remember that your skip must be level-loaded. Drivers will not be able to remove any skips that are overloaded or loaded in such a way that debris may fall out during the drive, posing a hazard to traffic or passers-by.

How to dispose of building waste

We pride ourselves on providing speedy replies to all enquiries, and arranging skip exchange or collection within the shortest time frames possible for your convenience.

If you have any questions about skip hire, please contact a member of our friendly team. We provide reliable nationwide commercial and residential skip hire and waste disposal services with highly competitive prices. Call us today on 0330 100 2833 or submit your request online today.

If you are looking for skip hire and waste removal services, X-Hire has you covered.